Fans in Disbelief: Brighton’s Cheeky Post Sparks Outrage After Farke’s Snub and Amex Dominance

Fans in Disbelief: Brighton’s Cheeky Post Sparks Outrage After Farke’s Snub and Amex Dominance

In the pouring rain at the Amex Stadium on November 1, 2025, Brighton & Hove Albion delivered a masterclass, thrashing Leeds United 3-0 in a Premier League clash that left the visitors shell-shocked. Danny Welbeck’s clinical opener after just 11 minutes set the tone, capitalizing on a deflected cross from Mats Wieffer that caught Leeds keeper Lucas Perri flat-footed. But it was Diego Gómez who stole the show, netting a lightning-quick brace in the second half—tapping in Yankuba Minteh’s teasing delivery on 64 minutes, then pouncing on a Georginio Rutter turnover six minutes later. Brighton’s high press suffocated Leeds, who mustered a paltry 0.46 expected goals from five shots, while the Seagulls racked up 2.99 xG from 14 attempts. It marked Fabian Hürzeler’s side’s first league clean sheet of the season, propelling them to eighth in the table as Leeds slumped to 16th, just five points above the drop zone.

The on-pitch demolition was humiliating enough for Daniel Farke’s men, but the real drama unfolded post-whistle. In a frosty exchange that encapsulated the rivalry’s bad blood, Farke notably snubbed a traditional handshake with Hürzeler. Tensions had simmered throughout, erupting in the 73rd minute when Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu’s reckless challenge on Gómez—deemed a potential red-card offense by the Brighton bench—sparked a touchline bust-up between the two German coaches. Hürzeler, fuming at the non-call, later admitted in his presser: “Sometimes I’m in my tunnel… I have to adapt.” Farke, meanwhile, brushed it off, but cameras caught him storming down the tunnel without extending a hand, leaving Hürzeler visibly stunned amid the celebrations.

Enter Brighton’s social media team, masters of the subtle dig. Mere minutes after the final whistle—while Leeds players trudged off in defeat—the club’s official X account (formerly Twitter) dropped a post that ignited a firestorm: a photo of Hürzeler grinning ear-to-ear, arm extended in mock invitation, captioned, “Always room for a handshake… if you can keep up. #BHAVLeeds 3-0 #ComeOnYouBlues.” Accompanied by a cheeky GIF of a rejected high-five, it was peak Albion trolling—polite on the surface, savage underneath. The post exploded, amassing over 50,000 likes and retweets within hours, but not without backlash.

Fans were in utter disbelief. Leeds supporters flooded the replies with fury: “Classless from a mid-table side hiding behind memes,” fumed one, while another raged, “Snubbed? Your lot deserved it after that ref robbery on Ampadu. Pathetic.” Even neutral observers piled on, calling it “salt in the wound” and questioning if it crossed into poor sportsmanship. Brighton faithful lapped it up, though—one Seagulls fan quipped, “Farke couldn’t handle the L on or off the pitch,” racking up thousands of laughs. The viral spat amplified the game’s narrative, trending #HandshakeSnub worldwide and drawing memes galore, from edited images of Farke ghosting Hürzeler like a bad date to polls asking, “Petty or peak banter?”

This wasn’t just any win; it underscored Brighton’s fortress mentality at the Amex. The Seagulls now boast an impeccable home record against Leeds, unbeaten in their last eight Premier League meetings at the stadium (W5 D3) since a 1-0 loss in 2018. Across 12 top-flight clashes there, Leeds have scored just twice, failing to net in seven straight visits—a drought spanning over 600 minutes. Historically, Brighton’s edge sharpens on home turf: 10 wins, four draws, and only two losses in 16 Championship encounters overall, with the Amex proving a graveyard for the Whites. As one pundit noted, “Leeds travel south like lambs to the slaughter—effort without end product.”

For Hürzeler, the victory—and the viral volley—signals growing swagger. “Consistency is key,” he beamed post-match, eyeing a European push. For Farke, it’s a grim reminder: survival first, handshakes optional. As the dust settles, one thing’s clear—Brighton’s post didn’t just poke the bear; it roared. In a league of egos, sometimes the real winners are the ones who tweet last.