Having 12 players out injured at one time has been challenging for Brighton. But on the plus side, it has allowed Roberto De Zerbi to turn problems into opportunities.
A number of Under 21s players have filled the boots of injured first team colleagues, most notably 18-year-old Jack Hinshelwood who looks every bit a rising star.
Hinshelwood’s footballing family history goes way back, with his dad having played for Brighton and his great uncle taking on several coaching roles through the years, including a brief spell as manager.
Against Brentford on Wednesday night, young Jack was awarded Player of the Match and rightly so. On his first Premier League appearance at the Amex, Hinshelwood scored the winning goal with a brilliant header.
You could see in his celebrations how much it meant to Hinshelwood both when the ball hit the back of the net and after the full time whistle.
A proud moment for Jack, the other Hinshelwoods, all those coaches in the academy who helped him along the way from Under 8s and Brighton fans as a Sussex born-and-bred player wins three points for the Albion.
Hinshelwood’s header secured a first home Premier League win since the end of September. Roberto De Zerbi said afterwards that he felt Brighton should have taken more points from their Amex matches against Fulham and Sheffield United. That is De Zerbi, always striving for perfection.
Train strikes meant there were no trains running into Falmer International Station for the Brentford game. The large number of empty seats were therefore no surprise.
A weekday game in Christmas party season on a cold, wet night with the most popular means of travel to the stadium out of action would have put many people off.
Not to mention the game was broadcast live on Amazon Prime, a service most people have and could watch from the comfort of their own homes.
I left from North Sussex at around 4.30pm to be sure of arriving in good time. A lane closure on the A27 did not help and upon arrival at the Bridge Car Park, the guys working there said they were expecting their busiest ever game with over 780 cars squashed in.
Given the circumstances, the travelling Brentford supporters did very well to get to the Amex and fill out the away end.
The game was dedicated to the Rainbow Laces Campaign. This continued awareness is much needed within all areas of sport and everyday life.
To celebrate Rainbow Laces, there were fireworks before kick off and the players warmed up in a special shirt designed by 14-year-old Livs from Bognor Regis. Livs was interviewed on the touchline at half time with her granddad. What a great job she did.
Neal Maupay was back at the Amex in a Brentford shirt and I was very concerned he may take the limelight with one of his trademark late goals and crying celebration.
Maupay though was unable to score against his former club and so the limelight belonged to Hinshelwood.
It did not take long for Hinshelwood to show what he could do. Some good play pushing up the right allowed the teenager to square across goal for Pascal Gross to fire just wide.
Around the 25th minute and the Albion fell behind. Vitaly Janelt broke through the middle, catching Jan Paul van Hecke out. This is not something which happens a great deal.
Van Hecke found himself chasing back Janelt, missing his footing and then grabbing the arm of the Brentford player to prevent himself falling.
Referee Peter Bankes awarded a penalty. The consensus amongst those watching was that it was a soft foul, but nonetheless given. With a hop, skip and a jump, Bryan Mbeumo rolled the ball into the bottom corner past Jason Steele.
It took no more than four minutes for the Albion to strike back at the beehive. Hinshelwood and Joao Pedro linked up, playing the ball out to Kaoru Mitoma.
Once Mitoma was on the left edge of the penalty area, he played it back to Gross. One touch from Gross was followed by a left footed shot beyond Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken, levelling the game.
The Bees were dealt a blow on 40 minutes when Mbeumo went down in the box and did not get up again as play continued. The Brentford dangerman had rolled his ankle and was unable to continue, his place being taken by Yoane Wisa.
De Zerbi made no changes at half time, keeping faith in his starting XI to kick off a run of three consecutive home matches with victory.
Simon Adingra was going great guns down the right as Brighton made a strong start to the second half. Thomas Frank did not look best pleased, although his mood would have improved if Brentford had taken advantage of a goalmouth scramble.
It was a heart in mouth, blood pressure through the roof couple of seconds as a game of bagatelle broke out in the Albion box.
In amongst it all, Hinshelwood blocked on the line and Carlos Baleba eventually cleared the ball away from danger.
Then came Hinshelwood’s moment of magic at the other end. Decisive football gave Gross the opportunity to chip a cross towards the far post from the left side.
Hinshelwood climbed highest and accurately headed into the left corner of the Brentford goal, making it 2-1 to Brighton in the 52nd minute.
Further chances came for the Albion in the remaining 40 minutes or so, whilst Hinshelwood was substituted to a deserved standing ovation.
A huge moment of controversy happened late in the game when Billy Gilmour and Wissa came together. The Bees forward appeared to hit Gilmour with a left hook.
Wissa was very lucky to avoid a red card for the sort of behaviour which should not be allowed on a football pitch.
Thankfully, Brentford keeping 11 out there did not impact on the result. Brighton took the three points, putting on a great evening of entertainment with Hinshelwood the star.
What a prospect the Albion have on their hands.
Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony
Seagulls Best Ever Season Volume 2 charts Brighton’s record breaking 2022-23 campaign through the eyes of Tony Noble, an East Stand Upper season ticket holder at the American Express Stadium. It is available from Waterstones, WHSmith, Amazon Bookstore and all good bookshops as well as the Albion Superstore at the Amex and via this link.
