Brentford hold Brighton to earn valuable point

BRIGHTON could not turn a lucrative week off the pitch into a profitable one on it after they were held to a goalless draw at Brentford.

The Seagulls announced an eye-watering annual profit of £122.8 million on Tuesday, a record for an English club, following the most successful season in their history.

However, the on-pitch performance didn’t match up in a drab stalemate in west London.

It meant Brighton, who finished sixth last season, failed to take advantage of West Ham, Newcastle and Wolves all dropping points a day earlier in the race for European places.

Brentford, meanwhile, edged another point clear of the relegation zone and are now six above 18th-placed Luton.

The Bees almost opened the scoring early on after a sweeping move but Keane Lewis-Potter’s cross was put narrowly wide by Yoane Wissa.

Ivan Toney’s first sight of goal came after half an hour, but the England striker lost his footing slightly and Bart Verbruggen saved his scuffed shot.

Referee Andrew Madley was sent to take a look at the pitchside monitor by the VAR for a potential Brighton penalty for a foul by Wissa on Lewis Dunk in first-half stoppage time, but he stuck with his decision and ruled in favour of the Bees forward.

In the second half, Toney, without a goal in his previous six matches, took aim with a free-kick from 25 yards, but sent it high over the crossbar.

Brighton sub Danny Welbeck had two chances in stoppage time to win it for Brighton, but he headed a corner wide and then fizzed a low drive wide of the far post.