Jack Hinshelwood marked his comeback from injury in perfect fashion, scoring a late winner as Brighton overturned a deficit to beat Brentford 2-1 in rainy conditions at the Amex Stadium and climb to fifth in the Premier League.
The 20-year-old, sidelined for seven matches with an ankle ligament injury, came off the bench and bundled home in the 84th minute to complete Brighton’s turnaround.
Brentford had taken the lead against the run of play when Igor Thiago converted a 29th-minute penalty-his ninth league goal of the campaign and his seventh in as many games-after Carlos Baleba brought down Dango Ouattara in the box.
Brighton controlled large spells but struggled to find a breakthrough until the 71st minute, when Danny Welbeck drifted free and guided in a volley from Yankuba Minteh’s brilliant cross, scoring for the seventh time in seven league matches.
Brighton continued to press, with Minteh forcing Caoimhin Kelleher into a sharp save before Hinshelwood struck the decisive blow from the edge of the area.
Brentford had one final lifeline deep into stoppage time when Kevin Schade was fouled in the box, but Thiago’s second penalty of the day was saved by Bart Verbruggen, sealing Brighton’s comeback victory.
Fabian Hurzeler, watching from the stands due to suspension, became the youngest manager ever to reach 50 Premier League games.
However, his team’s first-half display didn’t live up to the milestone.
Baleba, once a standout performer, endured a difficult afternoon and conceded the costly penalty before being substituted at half-time.
Brighton didn’t find much fluency after the break either-until Minteh unlocked Brentford’s defence with a superb assist.
Hinshelwood’s introduction was initially met with boos, but the youngster silenced doubts with a composed finish to win the game.
Verbruggen then capped the performance with a decisive penalty save.
The result stretches Brighton’s unbeaten home league run to 10 matches, and remarkably, they have come from behind to win their last three Premier League home games-against Liverpool, Manchester City, and now Brentford.
Brentford worked tirelessly and looked well positioned for victory, but the late penalty miss condemned them to a fifth defeat in six away league matches.
Their winless Premier League record at Brighton also continues, stretching back to 2016.
Thiago remained a bright spark, continuing his standout scoring form-second only to Erling Haaland in league goals this season.
Jordan Henderson impressed in midfield, while Ouattara offered a threat on the counter.
However, Brentford never truly took control.
Two of their four shots on target came from penalties, highlighting their lack of cutting edge from open play.
And with 22% of their league goals coming from the spot this season, the reliance on penalties is becoming clear.
Thiago has been Brentford’s headline act this year, but this time, the finishing touch eluded him when it mattered most.
