Pascal Gross makes surprising title race admission after Brighton beat Brentford
Pascal Gross dismissed talk of a Premier League title challenge, after scoring in Brighton’s 2-0 win over ten man Brentford.
It was a comfortable win which sent Fabian Hurzeler’s side into the international break in second place.
Brighton climbed above Manchester City, who lost 3-1 at Nottingham Forest. The Seagulls’ victory at the Amex Stadium was their sixth in seven league games. No team in the division has scored more goals this season and only Arsenal have conceded fewer.
However, Gross, 35, has played down talk of a title charge.
“No, we are not in a title race,” the German told Sky Sports.
"But we have started the season really well. It’s the beginning of the season.
“You see the Premier League, the margins, you look at the results – we are not getting carried away yet. Every game we have to suffer a lot. Sometimes it is momentum. But we are really pleased to head into the international break like this.”
Diego Gomez put Brighton ahead after 15 minutes, sending a stunning left-footed strike from 25 yards into the top corner. The Paraguayan had scored from the halfway line against Crystal Palace on his previous appearance at the Amex.
Brentford were reduced to ten men eight minutes later when Igor Thiago caught Chema Andres in the face with his arm. Referee Michael Oliver initially showed Thiago a yellow card before sending him off for violent conduct following a pitchside review.
Gross doubled Brighton’s lead shortly before half-time, firing his penalty into the top corner after Keane Lewis-Potter fouled Luka Vuskovic as they jostled at a set piece. Yasin Ayari forced a save from Caoimhin Kelleher before the interval.
Brighton controlled much of the second half as Brentford sat deep. The visitors finished without a shot on target and slipped to eighth, while Bart Verbruggen kept Brighton’s seventh clean sheet of the season, the most in the Premier League heading into the break.