Brentford’s 1-0 defeat of Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon had supporters buzzing at the very real prospect of reaching the UEFA Conference League.
With just about every other result going the way of Thomas Frank’s team, The Bees now sit in that all important eighth place with just two games to go. Next up, Sunday’s visit of Fulham. Beating them will take the Cottagers out of contention. Defeat for Brighton at home to Liverpool (Monday) and Bournemouth at Manchester City (Tuesday) will, barring a catastrophic goal difference swing, tie things up before we even reach game week 38.
The only fly in the ointment remains the FA Cup final. Should Crystal Palace beat Manchester City on Saturday then they will get that final European slot, with the table only giving places as far down as 7th. West London will no doubt be Sky Blue for that one but it’s out of our control. For now, let’s look back at the latest chapter in a recent run that sees only Aston Villa in better top-flight form.
The result was way closer than the huge chasm in the table between the two sides may have suggested prior to kick-off but a win is still a win. The three points all that matter.
After an initial flurry from the home side, it was The Bees who dominated. Ipswich’s resolve finally broken after the third attempt at a corner kick. The first stopped for a VAR penalty review after Sepp Van den Berg had been fouled by Jacob Greaves. It was an iffy decision not to give it but c’est la vie.
The retake was also aborted, seemingly as/after Mbeumo struck it – referee Sam Barrott electing to book both Jack Taylor and Christian Norgaard for ‘aggressive behaviour’ in the box. Gut reaction was it should have either been a penalty Brentford or free-kick Ipswich but as the ref decreed that the ball was in play, correct call…
Third time’s the charm though and the next attempt to play it in met with the perfect outcome. Kevin Schade rising like the proverbial salmon. The German twisting in the air to head it past Alex Palmer in nets and into the far corner. 1-0 Brentford on 14 minutes.
From there, it was one way traffic. A magnificent through ball from Wissa to release Bryan Mbeumo should have seen the lead doubled. Mbeumo then providing a chance for Scahde whilst Damsgaard hitting one just wide close to half-time. Still, you’d have taken the 1-0.
The second-half began in similar style. One way traffic with Brentford dominating. Wissa leathering one that had goal written all over it until the aforementioned Greaves got his face in the way – not that he knew too much about it. Schade and Kayode also with chances. Yarmoliuk with an exquisite ball to release Damsgaard and then Wissa but Palmer making a fine stop.
Then, just after the hour, more VAR controversy. Nathan Collins rugby tackled in the box by Axel Tuanzebe. Again, VAR coming to the home team’s rescue. Jarred Gillett at Stockley Park telling Mr. Barrott to move along, nothing to see here.
Hmmm. It looked nailed on live – even more so on subsequent replay. The irony of the Ipswich support booing the ref was not lost.
That moment was almost Brentford’s undoing. Almost. Slowly, Ipswich realised they were in with a chance of perhaps salvaging something. For all The Bees’ dominance, the tenacity shown in getting behind the ball meant that the home side were only a single goal down. They started to push.
Momentum gathered. Greaves hit one wide. Kayode was strong minutes later. Sepp van Den Berg misread one but the recovery action to deny Hirst when clean through saved the day.
Ten minutes remaining. Ipswich pushing. Flekken everywhere. A trio of fine stops and rock solid hands stopping anything that came at him. The point blank save in injury time from Cameron Burgess probably my moment of the match. It was one of those that stopped three points becoming one.
A wonderful afternoon. An incredible set of results across the table. Brentford fans in fine voice.
Plenty to reflect on but for now our game by game search for the top five players of the season. As always, five points being awarded for star player, four for second place, three for third etc with the totals added up game-by-game to see who places best behind the (now) uncatchable winner Mikkel Damsgaard after game 38.
2024/25 Brentford Player Ratings from Matchweek 36 (vs Ipswich)
1st (Star Player: 5 points) – Yehor Yarmoliuk
The top three really could have gone in any order but I’m giving it to Yehor.
Statistically speaking he out tackled everybody. Was just behind on most passes played. Yet it was the quality of his balls that really stood out. The swiftness of his turning. His winning the ball in danger and turning defence in to attack.
Yehor really did seem to be everywhere, for the entire game. He never stopped running or trying. Even earning himself a booking in time added on, such was the determination to keep Brentford alive.
No goals. No assists. No worries. A top, top all round performance.
2nd (4 points) – Mark Flekken
It’s not just goals that win games. Mark had little to do for the vast majority of this one beyond top up his tan but when the moment came, my word was he ready!
The final ten minutes and stoppage time saw it become the Mark Flekken show. Saw the European dream remain alive – no moreso than in that quite magnificent stop from Burgess. How much he knew about it we’ll never know but what you can say for sure is that he was in the right place at the right time – the primary attribute for any goalkeeper.
If we do end up going to Hungary (or any other part of Europe) remember the end of this game. Remember what Mark did at Portman Road.
3rd (3 points) – Michael Kayode
Brutally strong. Terrific pace. The switch up and down the flanks. Enciso given a torrid time whenever he came near.
It was another Kayode masterclass at right full back. With The Bees having the option to sign the loanee from Fiorentina on a permanent basis, let’s hope the price has already been agreed. It was another performance that suggested the next part of the Brentford 2025/26 jigsaw is already in place
4th (2 points) – Kevin Schade
Star Player last time out, we said then that if he carries on like this, who knows where The Bees will end up.
Well, he did. That’s a third successive headed goal in two games. The execution, impeccable. The finish, deadly. With a bit more luck he may even have had a second but credit to the Ipswich Town team for flooding the box and doing what they could to stop the red and white tide.
Did as much tracking back as he did going forward, too. When the time came, he was there to play his part in defence.
5th (1 point) – Yoane Wissa
They all looked so good. It’s hard to exclude anybody. I thought Mikkel Damsgaard was super strong but I’m going to give this one to Wissa.
On an afternoon where The Bees did all they could to double the lead, Wissa was probably the closest to joining Kevin Schade on the scoresheet. The closest to setting up a team mate to do so.
2024/25 Brentford Player Ratings – Top 5 Overall (after Matchweek 36)
All of which means that the only change in the top five sees Mark Flekken move up to third place. It really is tight amongst those four and with Fulham next up, you know everybody is going to be busting a gut – regardless of what happens in the FA Cup Final.
1st – Mikkel Damsgaard (92 points)
2nd – Keane Lewis-Potter (65 points)
3rd – Mark Flekken (60 points)
4th – Christian Norgaard (59 points)
5th – Bryan Mbeumo (57 points)
