Premier League release statement after Brighton star Joao Pedro incredibly ESCAPES a red card after vicious elbow throw which missed opponent by inches
Joao Pedro was fortunate not to get sent off after he tried to elbow Yehor Yarmoliuk in the face but failed to make contact as Brighton’s December pain went on in a goalless draw against Brentford.
Thomas Frank was adamant the Brighton forward should have got a red card, saying: ‘Yes (he was lucky to stay on) – as I understand in the rules, you can’t swing your arms and try to hit someone. If you hit them or not, it’s a red card.’
But Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler disagreed with Frank’s view saying it was an ‘interesting opinion’ and that he saw it ‘completely differently’.
‘For me, it’s not a red card,’ said Hurzeler. ‘He (Pedro) tried to get free from a personal duel.’
The incident happened in the 75th minute in front of referee Andy Madley and after a lengthy stoppage to check for a possible red card, Chris Kavanagh on VAR deemed that Madley’s call was not a clear and obvious error despite replays showing Pedro lashing out at the Brentford midfielder.
Yarmoliuk had dragged Pedro back to stop a Brighton counter and the Ukrainian was booked for the foul but Pedro escaped punishment for his actions, with Kavanagh determining there was no violent conduct as he didn’t make contact.
Joao Pedro was fortunate not to get sent off after he tried to elbow Yehor Yarmoliuk
Referee Andy Madley deemed there was no violent conduct after Yarmoliuk dragged back Pedro to stop a Brighton attack
Pedro didn’t even get a yellow card for his actions whilst Yarmoliuk was booked for dragging him back
It was pretty much the only talking point on an evening where Hurzeler’s side wasted an array of chances with no fewer than 24 attempts. They have now gone six games without a win.
Since their last victory on November 23, the Seagulls have plummeted from second to tenth.
This should have been the ideal game for them against a Brentford side that went into this clash on the south coast with just one point on the road all season.
Brighton were wasteful from the outset with Julio Enciso having eight attempts on goal in the first half alone – the last Premier League player to do that was Luis Suarez in 2013.
The 20-year-old’s evening was summed up by a shot that almost went out for a throw-in. His last goal – which won Premier League goal of the season – came in May 2023,
In the 36th minute, Brentford keeper Mark Flekken was forced off with a hamstring injury and replaced by Hakon Valdimarsson, who made his Premier League debut.
Flekken made six saves in a busy first-half and his Icelandic replacement was equal to the task for the remainder of the game.
Yoane Wissa thought he scored the game opener but it was ruled out for offside
Enciso continued to get in dangerous positions in the second-half for The Seagulls though lacked composure in front of goal
With Brighton failing to make their dominance count, Hurzeler’s frustration grew on the touchline in the second-half. He made a triple change in the 66th minute before replacing Enciso with Georginio Rutter in the 78th minute but to no avail.
In the dying stages, Hurzeler turned to Solly March, who came on for the first time since rupturing his cruciate ligament in October 2023 and the 30-year-old got the biggest reception of the night but there was no time for a festive miracle, as his last gasp effort flew over.
For the travelling Brentford fans however, it was a late Christmas present in the form of a rare point on the road. A point which Frank described as a ‘fair’ result.
