Philippa Kaur

AT LEAST Brighton fans have one of England’s top destinations to enjoy, right on their doorsteps.Because despite an unexpectedly resilient end to their ill-disciplined defeat against Brentford, there now seems to be little chance of any European trips anytime soon.Brentford romped to a 4-2 win over BrightonCredit: ReutersBryan Mbeumo was on target for his 17th and 18th goals of the Premier League seasonCredit: ReutersKauro Mitoma netted late on for BrightonCredit: ReutersChristian Norgaard wrapped up the win in the 95th minuteCredit: ReutersJoao Pedro’s sending off after 61 minutes typified an afternoon when the South Coast side struggled to stand up to Brentford’s more physical and direct presence.There was then the worrying sight of Jan Paul van Hecke receiving prolonged treatment in a near-silent and half-empty GTech Stadium before being stretchered off by a team of paramedics.It added an unfortunate sour note to a defeat that had otherwise been largely of Brighton’s making.Pedro’s petulant elbow flung at Nathan Collins as the pair tussled for a meaningless high ball on the edge of the centre circle summed up the frustration felt by a team who have now gone five games without a win.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLPedro himself was annoyed still that just moments earlier he had fizzed the ball across the face of goal, but no Brighton player was there to convert it.The contact with Collins was not much, but it looked like enough – certainly VAR was not about to argue with referee Tim Robinson.Brighton were already two goals down by this stage on an afternoon when very little seemed to go their way.An up-tempo second-half performance by Brentford had blown them away – although their two goals shortly after the break both took massive deflections off Brighton captain Lewis Dunk.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBrentford had come racing out for the second half and immediately punished a groggy-looking Brighton defence.Bryan Mbeumo was given time on the right to cut in and hit a left-foot shot which hit Dunk’s puffed-out chest and bobbled past Bart Verbruggen and into the far corner.Football teams that controversially changed their badgeJoao Pedro was sent off for lashing outCredit: PAThomas Frank’s side have kept their European hopes aliveCredit: ReutersFabian Hurzeler’s side are winless in five league gamesCredit: PAWith their newfound energy, Brentford were suddenly mounting a much more direct physical threat, particularly from set-pieces.Somehow Brighton managed to bundle away two high, menacing corners that dropped at the far post in quick succession and even tried to counter.However, a brilliant pass down the channels by Mikkel Damsgaard sent Mbeumo clear again, only this time he cut the ball across the area and, thanks to another cruel Dunk deflection, Yoane Wissa was able to force his shot into the back of the net.In fairness, Brighton did not flinch from their uphill battle and Fabian Hurzeler brought back into the side Kaoru Mitoma among a number of changes from he bench designed to make up for the numerical disadvantages.Brentford have recently held Chelsea and Arsenal to creditable draws to prompt suggestions that they have it within them to challenge higher up the table next season with a bit more consistency, but the GTech Stadium has not been the fortress it was in 2024.Indeed the Bees had not won here in any competition since December.So there was understandable anger in the ranks when Brentford’s defence seemed to remain static while Mitoma found a way to wriggle away from them and score far too easily despite Brentford’s extra man.Brighton chairman Tony Bloom had turned down a place in the directors’ box to take his place in the corner among the away support and they did their utmost to cheer their side back into contention.A thrilling finale seemed unlikely given the visitors had even started the game on the back foot once an early Matt O’Riley free-kick had flown harmlessly over the bar.Wissa should have given Brentford the lead inside three minutes when he met Kevin Schade’s perfectly-placed cross only to shoot too close to Bart Verbruggen and allowing the Brighton goalkeeper to turn the ball past his post with his foot.Instead, it was Mbeumo who burst through the middle in the 10th minute to give Brentford the lead with a powerful finish that left Verbruggen with no chance.Then with virtually the final touch of the half, Brighton snatched an equaliser.Danny Welbeck may not have the same spring in his step as when he was a kid, but the 34-year-old had showed the cunning of his years to steer a header inside the post while leaning back to meet Mats Wieffer’s cross in the last minute of injury time.Could Brighton do something similar in the second half?The energy in his legs meant the former Manchester United striker had long departed before the fourth official raised his board to indicated that there would be eight extra minutes at the end of the second period to raise hopes that they could.In the end, it was simply time for Brentford to pour more misery onto their opponents.Another deep looping cross, this time from substitute Mathias Jensen, was headed in by Christian Norgaard from amid a crowd of players.Tempers still showed no signs of calming and an unseemly bustle ensued when Jan Paul van Hecke kicked out after an untidy challenge on the edge of the Brighton penalty area.This time the card was yellow and when the free-kick sailed harmlessly into the stand it really should have been game over.Read More on The SunUnfortunately, the final whistle was in fact delayed even further by an accidental clash of heads between van Hecke and Yunus Konak.The Brentford player rose gingerly to his feet but the Dutch centre-back more concerning exit just compounded the misery of Brighton’s afternoon.The game saw a scuffle between the two sets of playersCredit: GettyYunus Emre Konak clashed heads with Jan Paul van HeckeCredit: GettyThe Brighton defender was stretchered off the pitchCredit: Reuters More

JAN PAUL VAN HECKE was rushed to hospital in a neck brace following a sickening clash of heads with Yunus Konak during Brighton’s 4-2 defeat at Brentford.The Seagulls defender required lengthy treatment and oxygen on the pitch before finally being carried off on a stretcher.Jan Paul van Hecke required lengthy treatment on the pitchVan Hecke and Konak were both seen to by medical staffThe incident prompted a lengthy stoppage in playCredit: PAVan Hecke clashed heads with Yunus KonakCredit: RexVan Hecke, 24, received oxygen as he was stretchered offCredit: ReutersVan Hecke, 24, was later discharged from hospital following precautionary checks.The worrying incident occurred deep into stoppage time.Konak, 19, also needed to be substituted but was able to walk off the pitch.Van Hecke, meanwhile, briefly sat up as he was assessed by medical staff, before being carefully laid back down and put on a stretcher.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBoth sets of supporters applauded as the Dutchman was taken straight down the tunnel while receiving oxygen.SunSport understands he was then carried into an ambulance in an oxygen mask and still in his kit.His family checked in on him in the dressing room but were not with him in the ambulance.Van Hecke’s eyes were open and responsive and goalkeeper and compatriot Bart Verbruggen rang his team-mate’s wife to reassure her as news of the collision spread.Most read in FootballBrighton later confirmed that Van Hecke had been discharged from hospital following precautionary checks.Their short statement read: “After being stretchered off at the end of today’s game, Jan Paul van Hecke was taken to hospital as a precaution but has now been discharged and is on his way back to Brighton.Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen show his skills at Brighton training “Thank you to everyone who sent us your messages of concern and support for JP.”The stoppage in play lasted around 10 minutes in total.Both sides had already made all five substitutions at the time of the incident, but were able to use concussion subs in order to replace their injured players.Gustavo Nunes came on for Konak, who himself had only replaced Kevin Schade in the 87th minute.While Seagulls January signing Eiran Cashin came on for Van Hecke.The match eventually restarted, with around a minute played before the final whistle.Bryan Mbeumo had given the Bees the lead on nine minutes, before Danny Welbeck equalised on the stroke of half-time.Mbeumo reclaimed Brentford’s advantage shortly before half-time, with strike partner Yoane Wissa making it 3-1 shortly before the hour mark.Brighton’s task was made even more difficult by Joao Pedro’s 61st minute red card.Read More on The SunKaoru Mitoma did pull one back for the visitors, but Christian Norgaard made the points safe for Thomas Frank’s men five minutes into stoppage time.Brentford’s win saw them climb to within two points of tenth-placed Brighton in the table. More