Thomas Frank unhappy with officials in game with Brighton

Brentford boss Thomas Frank claimed Brighton forward Joao Pedro should have been sent off during his side’s goalless Premier League draw at the Amex Stadium.

Pedro escaped punishment after swinging an arm at Bees substitute substitute Yehor Yarmoliuk without making contact.

VAR reviewed the second-half incident but deemed there was no violent conduct.

Frank and Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler disagreed about the decision.

“As I understand the rules, you can’t swing your arm to try to hit someone,” said Frank.

“If you hit them or not, it’s a red, that’s the way I understand the rules.”

Frank spoke to the match officials, including referee Andy Madley, about the flashpoint at full-time.

“They haven’t seen the situation yet, not on TV afterwards,” said Frank.

“To be fair to him, I think the angle can be tricky so that’s why you’ve got VAR.”

Asked about Frank’s assessment, Hurzeler replied: “Interesting opinion. I see it completely different.

“For me, it’s not a red card. He tried to get free from a person.”

Brighton were booed off after their winless run was stretched to six top-flight games.

Albion dominated for large periods and hit the woodwork inside four minutes through Julio Enciso.

Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken made some important saves before being forced off injured in the 36th minute, albeit his replacement Hakon Valdimarsson was rarely tested on his Premier League debut.

The Seagulls remain 10th ahead of Monday’s trip to Aston Villa, with Brentford a position and two points below moving towards their New Year’s Day showdown with Arsenal.

Hurzeler thought the jeers at full-time were unfair.

“The team doesn’t deserve that because in all the games we had in the last weeks they were all good, they were all intense, they were all where we thought we deserved more” said the German, whose team have lost to Fulham and Crystal Palace and drawn with Southampton, Leicester and West Ham in recent matches.

“We try to work hard to satisfy our supporters, we try to give them what they deserve, we try to make them proud.

“But the Premier League is tough. We know there will be (tough) periods we have to go through, especially with this young squad.

“We try to stick together, find the positive and keep on going.”

Brentford, who remain without a top-flight away win this term, had an early Yoane Wissa finish ruled out for offside following VAR intervention but barely threatened, despite an improved second-half showing.

Frank, who is awaiting news on Flekken and defender Ben Mee, who also left the field injured, said: “I thought it was a fair point.

“Brighton were better in the first half, no big, clearcut chances, and I thought we were better second half.

“Overall, I’m happy with the performance, especially the way we defended.

“We haven’t had too many clean sheets this season, so in that context I thought it was very impressive against a good Brighton team.

“We know we have a lot of players out – we get two more injuries during the game.

“The way the players showed their mentality and character and dug in was hugely impressive.”