A 2-2 draw with Wolves saw another point on the board although for most of the opening period it looked as though Brentford would take all three.
With thoughts of Europe lying heavy on most supporters’ minds, the Bees took control from the off and relentlessly cranked up the pressure. Jensen and Damsgaard, in particular taking turns to both find and work space in the middle of the park.
The visitors content to play a seemingly dangerous game of passing it along the backline. Thiago and Ouattara hunting them down like a pack of hungry dogs. The scent of goal teasing their nostrils and further inspiring them to try and force the mistake.
Eventually, the goal came. The Bees unable to convert their dominance to real opportunity until KLP delivered an absolute peach of a cross from the left-hand side towards Thiago. The Brazilian, called up for international duty earlier in the day – and what an achievement that is – not quite able to connect.
No worries. There was Michael Kayode right behind him with a header as delicious as the ball across had been. The timing and placement absolutely perfect. José Sá rooted to the spot. To be fair, not even Gordon Banks would have stopped that one.
1-0 Brentford with 22 minutes gone, and, you had to say Clive, it felt like it had been coming. The build-up of pressure and dominance finally turned into that most wonderful explosion of noise from all around the ground. That is, with the exception of the far corner and some random pockets of support in the South stand. Hmmm.
On went the Bees. Pushing up like their lives depended on it. Continuing to tap, tap, tap at the Wolves’ backline until, eventually, the dam burst. Kelleher playing it deep from the back, direct to Ouattara, whose touch to bring it under control was as magnificent as the tactical switch that had seen him swap flanks with Schade.
Clean through but cutting in, it looked like he’d go for it himself. Instead, there was Thiago in an even better position. The target man doing that wonderful thing he does of always sitting a yard or two ahead of the last defender, yet always reading his line, and lines, flawlessly, so that he is somehow millimetres on side at the crucial moment.
Here it was again. Onside, perfect position and no mistake. The finish for 2-0 made to look as easy as it comes as Igor made it 19 for the season. The gap to Erling Haaland in pole position for the Premier League golden boot now down to a mere three.
Yet still they pushed. Still, Brentford carried on to try and put this one out of sight. It almost happened, too. Thiago again. A long throw flicked on by Sepp van den Berg, headed goalwards by the Brazilian, but with Sá beaten, the ball bounced off the upright to agonising safety. Then, from almost three goals clear, the deficit was halved out of nowhere.
“Careful. This one smells like Burnley away all over,” I remarked to a fellow fan alongside me as the interval beckoned. Horribly prophetic words that rang true within a minute.
That the move emanated from a clear back pass, which everybody in the stadium, barring referee Stuart Attwell, spotted, only adding a further layer of frustration to the pain that followed. Damsgaard’s momentarily brilliant tackle only allowing the ball to fall kindly for the onrushing Wolves midfield. Adam Armstrong released and a thumping finish to make it 2-1 just minutes prior to half-time.
A sucker punch but a cracking finish. You can’t blame Wolves for playing through Attwell’s error – we’d have done exactly the same.
Off we all went. DJ Matthew Benham (allegedly) pumping out Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 as the players went in to regroup for tea, a wee and some Keith-based inspiration. The fans, likewise. Albeit without the wise words from the chief.
Yet whatever he said seemed to be the motivational equivalent of bromide in the half-time cuppas. Rather than the Bees recharging, it was Wolves who picked up where they left off. Armstrong’s effort across the goal, past Kelleher, should have been a clear warning. Thankfully, his shot rebounded off the base of the post, and the lead was retained. For a while.
Keith’s cause not helped by his first tactical substitution – the inevitable removal of a very jaded-looking Kevin Schade – having to be followed by another one just minutes later. Kris Ajer coming on for Damsgaard, who seemed to go down out of nowhere. The Dane eventually walking off, but it didn’t look good.
It got worse immediately after. Attwell striking again as Ajer was booked for an apparent foul on Tchatchoua after the ball had already been played out to Gomes. There had been barely a connection, yet the man in the middle pulled play back for a free kick. One far enough away from goal to require build-up play but the net result being an equaliser for Tolu Arokodare.
Again, no complaints for the opposition. They were handed a chance and worked it brilliantly. What Attwell saw, I have no idea, but from 2-0 up and cruising, the scores were level with less than a quarter hour to go.
On the plus side, it could have been worse. Arokodare then heading against the bar not long after. Kelleher, for once no chance, but the East stand woodwork coming to Brentford’s rescue once more.
The posts that so often had an almost magnetic attraction for Bryan Mbeumo back in the early days, for once working their demonic magic in Brentford’s favour.
The clock ticked on. Time slipping away. One final throw of the dice from Keith as he used his third round of changes to welcome Reiss Nelson into the fray. For a moment, it looked like he’d pulled off another stroke of tactical genius.
Henderson’s ball over from the right landing perfectly for the newly introduced sub. As he headed the ball goalwards, the stadium rose as one.
Here it came….. Yes! Yes!!! Noooooo.
There it went. The ball flashing inches past the post. An unmarked header that, with the ‘keeper nowhere to even half-way close, should have sealed all three points for Brentford.
Instead, that was it. The last few minutes of time added on petered out to nothingness. The immediate feeling one of immediate frustration, given how well the game had started. Yet, on reflection, still another point on the board. The Bees still making ground on Villa and Chelsea above them. Liverpool no further clear.
A run of games now coming up that starts at Leeds United, then back-to-back home games with Everton and Fulham. None of them easy (then again, no game at this level is), but all of them winnable.
That’s all to come, but for now, or now our regular look to who might be Brentford’s player of the season and the top five player ratings from this game. Five points awarded for star player, four for second, three for third, etc., etc. The overall winner determined after game 38 when the final tallies are confirmed.
Star player – (5 points) Dango Ouattara
Tough to call tonight, but I’m going to give it to Dango.
He was virtually unplayable at times causing havoc down the flanks – both of them. A shame his energy and effort couldn’t be matched on the other side, but he put in one hell of a shift. Two players for the price of one.
His control and pass for the second goal the obvious ‘showreel’ highlight. Do take a moment to rewatch that one today if you get the chance. Don’t forget the lovely lay-up for Damsgaard, either, with the scores locked at 0-0.
It was as much his energy as anything else that really stood him apart. With Kayode pushing a really high line at times, Dango was ripping up trees to get back and cover his teammate. Holding up play until the cavalry returned form their forays upfield.
Indefatigable from Dango.
Second (4 points) – Keane Lewis Potter
It was 50-50 which way Keith would jump with KLP.
Play him at left wing-back behind Schade or let him sit higher up ahead of Ajer. In the end, he played both roles and, it has to be said, equally well.
If you rewatch Dango’s assist for the second time today, then do not pass go or collect your £200 until you’ve seen KLP’s, either. What a ball into the box. To lay it up on a plate for not one but two options takes a rare talent. I wonder how often he practices those?
I also thought he defended brilliantly. Kayode (and we’ll get there shortly), perhaps with licence to push forward more, but KLP doing really well to resist temptation and hold his own line when needed.
That’s not to say he didn’t; drive forwards – he did. Yet it was as much his terrier-like tenacity at the back that was so obvious.
Third (3 points) – Michael Kayode
Here we go. What a goal from Michael.
Normally, he sets them up. This time around, he took on the role of executioner and played it quite magnificently. Moreso, given he had Thiago rising in front of him. The Brazilian behemoth, perhaps obscuring his view as the ball came over, perhaps not. Either way, the finish for his first Brentford goal as good as they come.
I thought Michael gave The Bees an extra dimension on the attack. Not the throw-ins (did anybody mention he can take them long?) but the tearing up the right and cutting through the middle on the diagonal.
We, of course, know he can do this but this was one of those nights where he seemed to be on repeat. Driving. Pushing. Dominating. Like everybody, he deserved more from this game but in the end Brentford were undone by a couple of individual errors.
Enough about Mr. Attwell though.
Fourth – (2 points) Mathias Jensen
This was classic Jensen. Ball tied to his foot by a piece of string Jensen. Able to read the midfield spaces like an open book Jensen.
He really is having a renaissance. Repaying the faith entrusted in him by Keith. Another night where he looked a class apart.
Fifth (1 point) – Sepp van den Berg
Got his almost assist for the Thiago almost goal but I thought he actually combined the twin disciplines of defence and attack really well.
He’s been the standout centre-back this campaign and whilst I can really recognise the benefits brought about by Keith’s rotation of players (where are the injury-ravaged squads of old?) still think that the Ajer – van den Berg centre-back pairing is definitely our strongest on current form
That’s me. Others may differ. Regardless, another of those nights that show why Sepp is most definitely worthy of his place in the starting XI.
All of which means that with only eight games to play we are no closer to sorting out a top five, let alone an overall winner. What a great place to be. Michael Kayode’s season long consistency currently sees him in pole position, but things could all shift at Leeds…
- 1st Michael Kayode. 54 points
- 2nd Igor Thiago. 47 points
- 3rd Mikkel Damsgaard. 38 points
- 4th Caoimhín Kelleher 37 points
- 5th Mathias Jensen 36 points
