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Disciplinary disaster for Brentford star
The Bees' hopes of securing a positive result against Brighton were dealt a massive blow early in the first half when Thiago was brandished a straight red card. Following a heated exchange on the pitch, the striker appeared to lose his composure and pushed Seagulls midfielder Chema Andres in the face.
The incident initially escaped the on-field official's full attention, but the technology quickly intervened to ensure the correct disciplinary action was taken.
Brighton capitalise on numerical advantage
The red card only compounded the misery for Brentford, who were already trailing in the contest before the sending off occurred. Diego Gomez had given Brighton the lead after just fifteen minutes, finishing off a slick move that highlighted the gulf in confidence between the two sides. To make matters worse right on the stroke of half-time, the ever-reliable Pascal Gross converted a penalty to leave the Bees facing an insurmountable task.
Brighton took full advantage of the extra space on the pitch, dominating possession and looking to secure their position in the upper echelons of the Premier League table. Fabian Hurzeler's side entered the match with the knowledge that a victory would propel them into second place, providing a major boost ahead of the impending international break.
Thiago ban adds to Brentford's fixture nightmare
The timing of Thiago's dismissal creates a major headache for Brentford given their daunting upcoming schedule. Following the international break, the Bees host Everton and travel to Manchester United, before facing a brutal start to December with back-to-back fixtures against title contenders Arsenal and Manchester City.
With the forward facing a potential three-match ban for violent conduct, he is set to miss crucial games as Keith Andrews' side look to navigate a challenging run.
Season stats so far
Thiago joined Brentford in the summer of 2024 from Belgian side Club Brugge. This season, the forward has made 13 appearances across all competitions, scoring four goals and providing two assists.