Pascal Gross does not believe Brighton and Hove Albion are in the race for the Premier League title, despite their team going second in the table with a 2-0 win over 10 men Brentford.
Brighton took the lead in the 15th minute when Diego Gomez found the top-left corner with a stunning half-volley after Brentford failed to clear a cross in the box.
Brentford were reduced to 10 men as striker Igor Thiago was sent off following a VAR review for hitting Chema Andres in the face during an off-the-ball challenge. Thiago was initially booked but Michael Oliver upgraded the card to red after consulting the pitch monitor.
Gross doubled Brighton’s lead before half-time from the penalty spot after Keane Lewis-Potter dragged down Luka Vuskovic in a corner.
There was no way back for Brentford from there as Brighton moved past second-placed Manchester City, although Gross played down suggestions the Seagulls would challenge leaders Arsenal.
“We’re not in a title race. But we’ve started the season really well. It’s the start of the season,” Gross told Sky Sports.
“You see the Premier League, the margins, you look at the results, we’re still not getting carried away.
“Every game we have to suffer a lot. Sometimes it’s a push. But we’re very happy to enter the international break like this.”
Bournemouth moved above Brentford into seventh with their eighth straight win in all competitions by beating Ipswich Town 2-1.
Evanilson put Bournemouth in front as he pounced on a terrible mistake from Ipswich goalkeeper Christian Walton.
Walton was caught in possession by Evanilson in the fifth minute, the Brazilian giving him the simple task of rolling into an empty net.
It was 2-0 early in the second half when Ryan Christie’s effort was deflected by the unfortunate Leif Davis.
Jack Clarke’s penalty gave Ipswich hope, but they could not find an equaliser.
