Brighton beat Sunderland despite Struijk’s red card

Brighton claimed a hard-fought win at Sunderland despite Pascal Struijk’s red card, extending their positive run in the Premier League. Fabian Hürzeler’s side also strengthened its hold on third place and moved its tally to 13 points, refusing to give way after being reduced to ten men.

Jaouen Hadjam scored Brighton’s second goal, sending the ball beyond Robin Roefs. Some supporters began leaving the Stadium of Light as boos rang out. Régis Le Bris looked frustrated, while Hürzeler and his players prepared to celebrate.

Struijk was sent off after Wilson Isidor drove towards the penalty area. The summer signing from Leeds, valued at £20m, brought him down as he accelerated, denying Sunderland a clear opportunity. Referee Tom Bramall did not initially consider the incident worthy of a red card. After a video review and a check at the pitch-side monitor, he dismissed the defender. In stoppage time at the end of the first half, Struijk had also sent a header against a post with Roefs beaten.

Brighton had earlier gone ahead through a low finish from Maxim De Cuyper, set up by a through ball from Pascal Gross. Sunderland’s defence was without the injured Dan Ballard and failed to clear the ball. Gross, aged 35, had directly contributed to seven goals over his most recent five Premier League matches. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Brighton looked relatively comfortable, to the frustration of the home supporters.

The result extends the visitors’ momentum after their 3-0 win over Arsenal before the international break, although this performance was less fluent. Sunderland, meanwhile, remain on four points and have only one Premier League victory this season. They head into Thursday’s Europa League meeting with Torreense amid sporting difficulties and changes at the top of the club: Sunderland’s owner and chair has also taken on the title of chief executive following Tom Burwell’s abrupt departure, just five months into his interim CEO role.