Bees stung on Boxing Day night: Photos from Brighton 2-0 Brentford
“Football is nothing without fans” we were told when the Premier League had to go behind closed doors for a year. Why then did Sky Sports decide that Brighton 2-0 Brentford should kick off at 8pm on Boxing Day at an Amex Stadium which relies on public transport, resulting in over 15,000 empty seats as our photos show?
We all know the answer to that – greed. Broadcasters do not care about match going supporters and so ridiculous kick off times which show no consideration are par for the course across the top flight.
The Premier League and its clubs could write clauses into their broadcast contracts to better protect fans from the ludicrous scenario of games on Boxing Day night or 600 mile round trips for Saturday lunchtime starts. That though would devalue the contract and money is king in English football.
Those Albion fans who were able to get to the Amex were at least treated to a show. Brighton won for the first time in 12 top flight matches, a run stretching all the way back to the 2-1 victory over Leicester City in mid-September.
Leandro Trossard opened the scoring with a beautiful lobbed volley from a pinpoint aerial pass from Enock Mwepu. Less than 10 minutes later and Neal Maupay doubled the advantage, scoring a cracker from 25 yards against his former club.
The atmosphere was much improved on the flat feeling at Brighton 0-1 Wolves 11 days earlier, despite the fact there even less bodies inside the Amex.
Winning helps, of course. And one man would have been more delighted with the Albion seeing off Brentford than anyone else.
Chairman Tony Bloom got one over his arch rival Matthew Benham for the second time this season as Brighton completed a Premier League double over the Bees.
No doubt the Seagulls players received a hefty Christmas bonus from Mr Bloom for their efforts…
If you have any photos you would like included our Brighton 2-0 Brentford gallery, please e-mail them to wearebrighton@hotmail.co.uk or tweet them to us @wearebrighton
