Brentford lose appeal against Thiago red cardpublished at 18:26 GMT
18:26 GMT
Nizaar Kinsella Senior football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Brentford have had their appeal rejected after Igor Thiago was shown a red card during Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Brighton.
The appeal was lodged on the grounds that the incident was unintentional, with the west London club seeking to have the three-match ban for violent conduct overturned.
There was also a possibility the suspension could have been reduced if the punishment was deemed excessive, but the Football Association's regulatory commission dismissed the appeal.
It means the Brazil international will miss the upcoming matches against Everton, Manchester United and Arsenal in the Premier League.
The incident occurred in the 23rd minute when Chema Andres moved towards the Brazil international, who then raised his arm and made contact with his opponent's face.
After a lengthy VAR review, referee Michael Oliver upgraded his initial yellow card to a red.
Keith Andrews' side were already 1-0 down following Diego Gomez's opener at the Amex Stadium, but went on to concede a penalty just before half-time, which midfielder Pascal Gross converted.
The Bees are eighth in the Premier League table going into the international break.
Brighton 2-0 Brentford - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:44 GMT 9 November
12:44 GMT 9 November
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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Brighton and Brentford.
Here are some of your comments:
Brighton fans
Barry: Brilliant from Brighton. A really solid 2-0 win over Brentford and never looked in any trouble. Just a confident, assured performance from start to finish. Champions League? Why not! Let it roll!
Sarah: We played beautiful football. Tight on the ball throughout, every man in the team playing their part. The Diego Gomez goal, another corker. We deserve our second place in the Premier League. A far cry from sitting under a bin bag in the rain at the Goldstone. Maybe it's time fans of the 'big six' stopped starting sentences with 'teams like Brighton'.
David: Yet another clean sheet, this time without too much effort. This almost seemed like a European game as we played against a five-man block defence after Brentford deservedly went down to 10 men. Second in the Premier League - we can dream, can't we?
Pedro: Brighton made Brentford look ordinary and that's not what any Albion fan was expecting before the match. For all Brighton's attacking prowess, Brentford were able to shut up shop with 10 men and force a relatively dull second half from a club capable of beating the biggest teams in the league. Respect to the Bees for turning up.
Brentford fans
Phil: Brighton were too good for us from kick-off. A lack of energy and self-discipline ensured the game was over as a contest after 20 mins. We need to start games on a more positive note.
Julian: The match was destroyed by the sending off. However, the truth is that Brighton were by far the better side, unfortunately. Keith Andrews got his selection wrong this time. No creative player allowed Brighton to dominate the game. It felt a bit like the away games against Tottenham and Crystal Palace. Both were poor performances, as was this. But overall, the Bees are now an established Premier League side.
Douglas: A terrible performance brought on again by ill discipline. Brentford seem to pick up yellow cards for fun and already have three red cards. This is the first time this season that I have been worried about Brentford, not the way they play football, but their lack of discipline.
Will: Strong defensive effort in the second half, that's the best thing I can say. We seem to have problems with discipline. This is two games thrown by us for just silly red cards. You go in and make a rash tackle, at least you're making a play… reds when the ball isn't even in play (and honestly, Kevin Schade's petulant yellow too), that's just letting them get to you. We have a promising season but we seem determined to undermine ourselves. Keith Andrews needs to enforce a better standard. We go again.
Brighton 2-0 Brentford: What Andrews saidpublished at 17:47 GMT 8 November
17:47 GMT 8 November
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Did you know?
Brentford have now failed to win any of their last 10 Premier League away matches (D7 L3).
For only the third time in the Premier League, Brentford both conceded a goal and received a red card in the first half of a match. They also did so against Newcastle in February 2022 and against Burnley in March 2024.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Brighton v Brentford" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Liverpool match", for example.
New this season: Live match updates
Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.
Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.
Sutton's predictions: Brighton v Brentfordpublished at 11:07 GMT 8 November
11:07 GMT 8 November
I just can't see past Brighton here - they are superbly organised, carry a threat going forward and defend well. Their bench is strong as well.
Brentford are also going well and are capable of causing them a problem or two - but, after watching Brighton beat Manchester City at Etihad Stadium last week, I am backing Fabian Hurzeler's side here.
I always think the Bees have got a goal in them, so I am going to say they will score, but the Seagulls are smart enough to come out on top.
People seem to be unsure whether Brighton are really in the title race or not, but they are certainly in the mix for second place if Arsenal are the team we all think are going to win it.
Brighton v Brentford: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:36 GMT 7 November
13:36 GMT 7 November
Tom McCoy BBC Sport journalist
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Sunday's match (14:00 GMT), as both Brighton and Brentford chase consecutive league wins.
Seagulls flying high
After five consecutive away games, Brighton return to Amex Stadium, where they are unbeaten this season, looking to build on their best start to a Premier League campaign.
The Seagulls are third and have already beaten the two teams above them, Arsenal and Manchester City. A title challenge appears unlikely, but their form marks them out as genuine contenders for Champions League qualification. Opta's supercomputer gives them a 67% chance of finishing in the top four.
Fabian Hurzeler's side scored a league-high 24 goals in their opening nine matches, while also ranking joint top for big chances created and first for shot-conversion rate, though it is worth noting they have outperformed their expected goals figure by almost seven, the widest margin in the division.
Brighton have been just as impressive at the back and Hurzeler was quick to praise his side's "defensive mindset" after last weekend's 1-0 victory at Etihad Stadium. Albion already have six top-flight clean sheets this term, just four short of their final total in 2025-26.
Image caption,
BBC
Bees look to build on Forest win
Head coach Keith Andrews described last weekend's victory over Nottingham Forest as Brentford's "best win of the season", praising his side for doing "the basics of the game really well". But the Bees will probably need an even better performance against in-form Brighton as they seek back-to-back league wins for the first time since February.
Although the victory against Forest was Brentford's first in four league games, they have lost only once in the top flight this season and have been beaten in just three of their past 20 league matches.
Andrews will also be encouraged by the improving form of last season's top scorer Igor Thiago, who, after a slightly slow start to the campaign, has now scored in consecutive games.
When these sides met at the Amex 12 months ago it was Thiago who netted the opening goal, but Brighton fought back to win through second-half goals from Danny Welbeck and Jack Hinshelwood.
That result extended Brentford's poor away record in this fixture. They are winless in all five of their Premier League visits to Brighton, losing three of those matches.
Andrews on Brentford's journey, team news and 'outstanding' Kelleherpublished at 17:11 GMT 5 November
17:11 GMT 5 November
Holly Bacon BBC Sport journalist
Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Brighton at Amex Stadium (kick-off 14:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Sunday will mark the club's 200th Premier League game and Andrews said it is "very special to be part of the journey". He added: "From afar, I really enjoyed it [the club's journey], looking at it and then when I had the opportunity to come here I didn't really hesitate at all. It was a pretty easy decision, so to be a small part of that journey is very nice."
The Bees boss confirmed Antoni Milambo will "probably not" be available just yet, but has trained "pretty consistently over the past week to 10 days and did a really tough session today". Meanwhile, Josh Dasilva is "a little bit closer" and they will "look to build him more and more as the weeks go on", otherwise there were no fresh injury concerns before the weekend.
On Igor Thiago, who has two goals and two assists in past four games: "I see everything behind the scenes, day-to-day, how much he wants it, how much he works, how selfless and devoted he is to becoming the best version of himself all the time. If you do things consistently well I think the outcome will happen - it's just when."
Andrews reflected on how his team have evolved during the period between the two international breaks: "I think we were slightly out of our rhythm coming back from the previous one, such was the length of it and that was probably the concern. We tried to get back on to our page as quick as possible and we're always looking to push this group as hard as we can. When you look back at some of the performances and results, it has been slightly up and down but the underlying characteristics of the group are still there and the consistency of that has been there on full show."
He feels goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has been "outstanding" and an "amazing signing for this club", adding: "He's a very special piece of our jigsaw. I have absolute calm and confidence in him when he's playing. He's in a really good rhythm of his career overall."
The head coach admitted Sunday's game is their "toughest" of the season so far: "They are clearly playing with a lot of confidence so we'll need to bring our A-game on Sunday to get the result we want."
He added: "We will need to play well and look after the ball. We will need to be smart with how we play the game, where we play the game and the players are already very aware of what Brighton will bring on Sunday. We've had a good week, we're in a good place and we're really looking forward to the game."
'Weird feeling we'll get a result' - fan's viewpublished at 16:18 GMT 4 November
16:18 GMT 4 November
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Brentford fan Mike Johnston gives BBC Sport his view on the Bees' upcoming game against high-flying Brighton: "Brighton boast the most goals scored, the second highest xG generated and the most goals scored from set-pieces. There's also the most goals scored from fast breaks and the most clean sheets in the league. The list goes on.
"Fair play to Fabian Hurzeler's side, another win on Sunday (14:00 GMT kick-off) and everyone will undoubtedly start throwing out Leicester City comparisons.
"But it is Keith Andrews' Bees who stand in their way. It is quite fitting that this game means the most to our owner, Matthew Benham, who was a former colleague of Brighton owner Tony Bloom in the past.
"I wonder if that trickles down the hierarchy. If it does, it should be one that Andrews least likes to lose.
"In the same way as I had a weird feeling about losing against Nottingham Forest, I also have a weird feeling that we're going to get a result at the Amex.
"Don't get me wrong, they have some amazing players. Luka Vuskovic at centre-half looks like a bargain, so Igor Thiago will have his work cut out.
"They have some strength in depth on the bench, but I am feeling that it will be our first away win of the season and our first Premier League win at the Amex.
Ethan: A hard-working performance by all the players, especially Igor Thiago, who is starting to find his form again. Great to see the subs also having an impact - the minute Jaidon Anthony came on he got an assist.
David: A challenging game after the past couple of matches but the resolve was there. Thiago was consistently fouled but got no favours from the officials, then got a deserved goal. Kevin Schade was also consistently hacked down. A gritty performance.
Tom: Really solid and professional performance by the Bees. Delighted with the result and the way we ensured Forest never looked like scoring. Delighted for Igor.
Rob: Thought it was a bit of a strange game really. Bees started well but Forest got into the game. Very surprised by Xaver Schlager going off a half-time because he had caused us problems. Once the Bees scored their second, Forest looked defeated. I was chuffed for Thiago. Hopefully he can go on a goalscoring run.
Forest fans
Peter: We were building something under Vitor Pereira, scoring goals and playing with freedom. We played with the same 4-2-3-1 since coming up to the Premier League. Now we're playing with Oliver Glasner's narrow, rigid system and it's costing us game after game. What's wrong with Ola Aina, Jair Cunha, Murillo and Neco Williams across the back? The performance xG might be good but data doesn't win games of football.
Nigel: Something is very wrong at Forest right now and there are ominous signs of deja vu. Glasner is clearly a very good manager but, as in any job, it's not always just about your qualifications but also about cultural fit. I hope I'm wrong - as we can't keep on doing this - but he simply might be the right guy at the wrong club.
David: Thomas Frank please - ASAP! We have so much class sitting on the bench but continue playing League One players. Come on, Marinakis, sort this out now.
John: I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that Mr Marinakis does not get yet another itchy trigger finger, otherwise we really will be back to square one - again!
Analysis: Thiago re-discovers scoring touch against Forestpublished at 18:07 GMT 31 October
18:07 GMT 31 October
Jonty Colman BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Igor Thiago has four goals from 12 appearances for Brentford this season, two of which have come in the last three days
Only Manchester City's Erling Haaland (27) netted more Premier League goals than Igor Thiago's 22 last season. But this season, it has been a different story.
Until four days ago, Thiago had netted just twice in 10 matches in all competitions. One of which was against Championship side Birmingham City in EFL Cup second-round drubbing.
But after scoring on Wednesday at Sunderland, again in the EFL Cup, the Brazil forward now has four goals in all competitions from 12 outings and with two in three days, showed a huge sigh of relief after sealing victory for the Bees.
"It means a lot to me. I was waiting for this goal for so long this season," Thiago, whose only other league goal came at home to Chelsea, told Premier League Productions.
"Thank you Lord, to score one more goal at home. I am really happy."
In the summer, Thiago went to the World Cup with Brazil. But after starting in their opening match against Morocco, the Bees striker was an unused substitute for the remainder of the campaign.
With back-to-back goals, his form will only compliment a Brentford side who despite missing Thiago's goals from last season, are showing early season signs of being in the European mix.
Brentford 2-0 Nottingham Forest: What Andrews saidpublished at 17:56 GMT 31 October
17:56 GMT 31 October
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Brentford boss Keith Andrews speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We have had some good wins this season and that is right up there. The way the opposition set up, they were difficult to break down, we had to stay patient, not get frustrated and we had to nullify their key players.
"Off the back of a very busy week, another one for us with the scheduling, it was a really nice win."
On playing with intelligence: "You have to be smart against this team, it's not a one-dimensional game. You have to press with your head and your heart. They overload certain areas of the pitch so you have to be smart with how you deal with that. Then what you do with the ball, you have to have a level of patience, a level of control."
On the substitutes making an impact: "We speak about impact from the bench a lot and we have really good op from there. I just thought it was right for Aaron Hickey to come on in the midfield, technically as good a player as you are going to get. The second goal was really nice.
"We are growing. There's always going to be ups and downs. You analyse every single minute of every single game and if you step away and look what we have achieved so far this season I think on that side we are growing and showing a level of maturity, level of streetwise."
Did you know?
Brentford have scored the opening goal in eight of their last nine Premier League games, while only Manchester City (37) and Arsenal (32) have done so more often in the competition since the start of last season than the Bees (27).
Today's was their 100th home game in the Premier League (won 42, drawn 30 losy 28), with the Bees losing just one of their last 10 on home soil (won four, drawn five).
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v Brighton" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Coventry match", for example.
New this season: Live match updates
Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.
Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.
Brentford v Nottingham Forest: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:43 GMT 30 October
19:43 GMT 30 October
Brentford will attempt to earn their third win of the season, against a Nottingham Forest side who go into the weekend in the bottom three in the table.
BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of Saturday's meeting at Gtech Community Stadium (15:00 GMT).
In last weekend's draw against Hull City, Brentford conceded first for the first time in all competitions this season. It happened again against Sunderland in the EFL Cup in midweek, where they let in three goals in a 13-minute first-half spell.
Although ultimately fruitless, the Bees did at least fight back with two goals, one of which came in injury time from Igor Thiago, who will be hoping that can spark some league form.
The Brazil international scored 22 league goals in 2025-26, but he's managed just one in eight games so far this season despite an expected goals total of 3.79.
Luckily for him, his team-mates have been finding the net, with Brentford the only side other than leaders Manchester City to have scored in all eight of their Premier League games so far this season.
Jaidon Anthony has only contributed one but does have a good record against Nottingham Forest, scoring three goals in four Premier League appearances against them for Bournemouth and Burnley.
Two of those games ended in draws, which is something Brentford are making a habit of, having drawn five of their eight league matches this season.
At first glance, Nottingham Forest are in a similar position to last season. After eight games they have one more point (six to five in 2025-26) in 18th.
It was at this stage last season that Forest sacked their manager for the second time in the campaign, so current boss Oliver Glasner must be feeling a bit nervous.
But Glasner also had a slow start at former club Crystal Palace. He didn't win any of his opening six games in charge and the Eagles also didn't win any of their first eight in his first full season.
And while the results are similar to last season, the performances are more encouraging. As the Austrian has pointed out, Forest are creating opportunities. They are third in the Premier League for shots taken (137) and fifth for big chances created (19).
His side are sixth in the expected goals table (13.49) but joint-bottom when it comes to real goals (6). That xG underperformance comes out at -7.49, the biggest shortfall in the Premier League by some margin – a gap that was increased in the 1-1 draw against Ipswich last time out, when Forest had 17 shots and an xG of 2.29.
Glasner believes it's only a matter of time before the chances turn into goals, but Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is notoriously impatient where results are concerned, as four managers last season can confirm.
Sutton's predictions: Brentford v Nottingham Forestpublished at 18:58 GMT 30 October
18:58 GMT 30 October
Nottingham Forest should have beaten Ipswich last time out but that draw was another example of a game where they haven't taken their chances.
I do think things will turn for Oliver Glasner's side eventually but they are in the bottom three and he is desperate for a win.
I thought Brentford would beat Hull last week but they ended up sharing the points. The Bees do draw a lot of games and that is probably the most sensible prediction here.
Image source, Getty Images
