Brighton endured a nightmare afternoon in West London as they fell to a bruising 4-2 defeat against Brentford, in a match overshadowed by a frightening injury to defender Jan Paul van Hecke.
The Dutchman was stretchered off in a neck brace after a brutal head-to-head clash with Brentford midfielder Yunus Emre Konak.
Play was halted for several minutes while van Hecke received oxygen and urgent treatment from medical staff before being rushed to hospital.
Thankfully, Brighton later confirmed that the 24-year-old had been discharged and was on his way back to the south coast, easing initial fears of a serious neck injury.
But the relief off the pitch did little to mask the damage done on it. Brentford were clinical, carving open Brighton’s defence to score four goals in a commanding display that highlighted the hosts’ superior energy and finishing.
Brighton, under Fabian Hürzeler, responded with two goals of their own but were largely second-best throughout the match.
The defeat leaves them stuck in mid-table with 48 points from 33 games and their European ambitions rapidly fading.
Brentford’s explosive performance and van Hecke’s worrying injury summed up a day to forget for the Seagulls in the capital.
