Brighton and Brentford split six-goal thriller, Wolves get huge point at Nottingham Forest in Premier League

Brighton escaped with a draw thanks to a late penalty in a 3-3 thriller against Brentford on a busy Premier League Saturday afternoon.

The Seagulls had 33 shots and 74% of the ball but three times had to come from behind.

Pontus Jansson gave The Bees an early lead, powering home a header after a clever move from a Brentford throw-in after just 10 minutes.

Kaoru Mitoma levelled after catching David Raya off his line with a delightful lob but Ivan Toney put Brentford ahead again within a minute. The Bees ambushed Brighton at a throw deep in their own territory and England’s newest international swiftly converted the turnover of possession into a goal.

Danny Welbeck leapt high to head home a Solly March cross in the 29th minute.

Bryan Mbeumo’s free-kick caught Brighton’s defence in two minds and fell directly to Ethan Pinnock. The defender had plenty of time to sweep home from close range to once again restore Brentford’s lead.

The Champions League chasing Seagulls continued to dominate the ball as they laid siege to the Brentford goal, but could not find an equaliser until Aaron Hickey was penalised for a handball in the 87th minute. The defender’s desperate block was not initially spotted, but VAR intervened to hand Brighton Seagulls a late chance at redemption.

Alexis MacAllister stepped up to convert and claim a point for his side.

Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest and Wolves drew 1-1 a match which had been billed as a relegation six-pointer.

Forest were without a win since early February, having lost four of their last six league games. Wolves, much improved since the arrival of Julen Lopetegui, were still in desperate need of points to shore up their league position.

Forest set up with Morgan Gibbs-White as the central striker, making clear their plans to play on the break.

The approach paid off when Brennan Johnson ripped a low shot past Wolves ‘keeper Jose Sa just before the half-time break.

Forest had only 31% of the ball in that first half but produced four shots on target, to Wolves’ zero.

Wolves continued to monopolise the ball after the interval, but could do little with it against Forest’s dogged defence.

With 10 minutes to play the visitors still hadn’t managed a shot on target but that all changed when a touch of fortune went Wolves’ way. A deflected shot fell to Daniel Podence on the left edge of the box and the Portuguese winger smashed in the equaliser to send the travelling supporters into raptures.

Somewhat dampening the joys of a late equaliser, Wolves lost reliable defender Craig Dawson to injury midway through the second half.

The result leaves both sides still in the relegation battle. Wolves have 28 points, one more than Forest.

Fulham lost their fourth consecutive match in all competitions away to Bournemouth, with The Cherries fighting back from an early deficit to win 2-1.

Andreas Pereira started and finished a slick move early in the match, giving Fulham the lead, and The Cottagers comfortably saw out the remainder of the first half. The hosts were barely able to lay a glove on them but Gary O’Neil’s half-time introduction of Marcus Tavernier proved a masterstroke. The midfielder curled home a brilliant equaliser minutes after being introduced.

Another substitute, Ryan Christie, was vital to Bournemouth’s winner. Christie raced into the box and forced Bernd Leno into an awkward swiping save which fell to the feel of Dominic Solanke. The one-time England striker couldn’t miss from close range.

Victory keeps The Cherries afloat in the pack of sides battling against relegation with 27 points. Fulham remain above the fray thanks to some excellent form earlier in the season.

At Selhurst Park, there was joy for Roy Hodgson on his return to the home dugout. Crystal Palace’s new manager saw his team come from behind to win with Jean-Philippe Mateta grabbing a 95th-minute winner.

Ricardo Pereira crashed home a brilliant opener for Leicester before Eberechi Eze forced a Daniel Iverson own goal with an equally excellent free-kick.

Palace were piling up the shots but seemed set for a draw until Jordan Ayew found Mateta in the dying seconds. The French forward beat the advancing Leicester defence and slotted home the winner.

Hodgson’s Palace moved up to 30 points, while Leicester are back in the relegation spots on 25 points.