Three was very much the magic number for Keith Andrews at the Gtech on Saturday afternoon. Here are Nick Bruzon’s player ratings following Brentford’s 3-0 over West Ham.
Brentford were magnificent as they swept West Ham aside 3-0. It was a first three-point haul in 7(seven) games as the Bees moved to sixth in the Premier League table with just three left to play. The possibility of taking part in European football next season now looking even stronger than ever.
Let’s be honest, who had that on their bingo cards at the start of the season? It was all Thomas Frank this, relegation that, Keith Andrews who, but instead the opposite has proven true.
The table doesn’t lie and as we start that final countdown for Europe, one has to wonder will things ever be the same again? Has the bus stop in Hounslow finally turned into a fully-fledged depot? Could Lincoln Red Imps v Brentford FC be an actual fixture next season?
To get there, we still have the small matter of Manchester City (a), Crystal Palace (h) and the opportunity to poop on Mo Salah’s farewell party at Anfield as our final three games. No small challenge but if the Bees play like they did on Saturday, then anything is possible.
It was the standard Keith Andrews starting XI. Aka, who’s fit? Despite a stronger-looking bench, Vitaly Janelt the latest to make his way back into matchday involvement, it was the usual suspects who picked up where they left off against Manchester United.
To be quite honest, I’m still struggling with just how the Bees came back empty-handed from that one. The sheer volume of chances created would normally have seen the Red Devils booed out of Old Trafford, had they been taken, but instead it was the home team who ran out winners.
No complaints. That’s how football works. Score goals to win games. Thankfully, on Saturday, the Bees did just that. There was still the same level of intensity but this time around opportunities were gobbled up. Brentford racing to 1-0 within 15 minutes. Konstantinos Mavropanos turning into his own net under pressure from Kayode after KLP’s teasing ball into the box.
The outpouring of relief immense. The Bees ahead at home and whilst we’ve read this script before in recent weeks (Everton and Wolves in particular) there was to be no escape for the visitors this time. The one-goal advantage doubling in the second half c/o Igor Thiago from the penalty spot after Dango was on the receiving end of a needless foul in the most innocuous corner of the penalty box.
Mikkel Damsgaard wrapping things up late on with a mazy run and low shot to the far corner. KLP’s ball in was delicious, even though he was given the freedom of the West Ham defence. Nuno must be wondering how he was afforded so much space that he could recover from making a meal of his initial attempt to bring the ball under control on the far side yet still be allowed enough time to regain his composure and play in that killer ball?
That’s their problem, not ours. That’s why they are once again sweating above the relegation zone. They’ll be left willing on the claret and blue brotherhood in hoping Aston Villa pull out the desired result at home to Spurs this evening.
Despite the scoreline this wasn’t one-way traffic with both sides going hammer and tongs for the win – pun very much intended. Mavropanos saw an equaliser denied by the narrowest of margins following a VAR review – offside is still offside – and the woodwork was rattled on several occasions. Referee Craig Pawson coming to Brentford’s aid (not a typo) with a couple of potentially dubious-looking penalty claims being waved away.
Then again, the Bees had their moments too. Dango came close. Thiago was soft when perhaps he should have buried the exquisite Yarmoliuk-Damsgaard build-up play. Indeed, those two were on fire all afternoon. Yarmo playing laser-guided through balls over the top with Henderson-like precision whenever he felt like it. He was incredible.
Hermansen in nets for the visitors not able to read these at all and caught in no-man’s land attempting to head one clear. Eventual recipient Damsgaard between him and the goal but, alas, fired wide when trying to pick his way through the crowd of hastily returning defenders.
For all it was an edge-of-the-seat, non-stop thrill-a-minute rollercoaster ride of a game, perhaps the most enduring moment came as we entered time added on. Josh Dasilva back in a Brentford shirt for the first time in 822 days. His injury hell finally coming to an end.
The cheers for his warming up on the sidelines nothing compared to the eruption of noise, the standing ovation and the emotion from Peter Gilham that greeted his arrival back onto the field of play. His first touch of the ball then taking it to the next level.
On an afternoon that had everything for the Bees, this was the proverbial cherry on the cake. Had Josh launched one of his thunderbolts I think Peter would have self-combusted. Regardless, one of the Griffin Park survivors is back in action and it was brilliant. Europe awaits along with the potential of the Champions League, just.
Albeit that would need Aston Villa to finish fifth and win the Conference. Neither beyond the realms of possibility, although it would also be aided by the somewhat distasteful thought of Spurs making it back-to-back wins tonight.
For now, that’s all out of our control. All we can do is dream, then go for maximum points in that final run. Until then, though, our regular look at who might be Brentford’s player of the season with 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) Yehor Yarmoliuk
The Brentford team has a few players who could be called ‘unsung heroes’. It is a phrase we’ve used a lot over the last few seasons – Vitaly Janelt in particular but also the likes of Sepp and Nathan Collins have taken their turn at picking up the gauntlet thrown down by Harlee Dean all those years ago (that is, prior to his ten times better moment).
Yet perhaps Yarmo is the most deserving of this accolade. The way he has been eased into the starting XI testament to the Brentford coaching staff handling a young but prodigious talent the right way. The way he has taken the opportunity is all down to him. Yesterday was the quintessential example.
For me, up there with his very best game in a Brentford shirt. Moreso given he is playing the role previously occupied by the likes of Vitaly, Jordan Henderson and Christian Norgaard. His defensive skill, rock solid. His passing levels, visionary. Oh, had Igor managed to finish the move that Yehor started off with his rangy pass to Damsgaard we’d have been talking goal of the season contender.
He never stopped running, though. Winning the ball. Tracking back. Covering the angles. Denying the opposition with his muscle and then opening them up as easily as if they were a can of fizzy pop. The passing incredible. A ten out of ten performance for Yarmo.
Second (4 points) Mikkel Damsgaard
This was classic Damsgaard. Current player-of-the-season Damsgaard. That title may be now down to a battle between Michael Kayode and Igor Thiago but on this showing, Mikkel isn’t giving it up without a fight.
He had one of ‘those’ games yesterday. His touch was wonderful and his game eventually rounded off with the goal that his performance warranted. It was one of those afternoons where just about everything turned to gold. First time passes, the ball moved on with speed and precision, exciting runs through the West Ham midfield and even a few attempts at goal.
He may be disappointed not have scored the chance when Hermansen was caught short, so to speak, but more than made up for that with the finish that put the game out of sight. The finish that told the visitors that this was game over as they then cleared the stadium with fire-drill-like diligence.
For that sight alone, he was always going to be in. For his actual performance, only Yarmo fared better.
Third (3 points) Keane Lewis-Potter
Had Keith settled on KLP in the LWB position earlier in the season, who knows where we might be now? He had another of those games where he dominated down the flank. Solid on his feet when under pressure, hindering the opposition with definite ‘not a penalty’ vibes but, most importantly, pivotal in slicing through the Hammers.
He gets the assist for the third goal. Would have got it for the first, too, had Mavropanos not duly obliged. In between all of that, overlapped down the left with Schade-like pace and Damsgaard-esque passing. Did all the heavy lifting on that side and earns another top-five place for his efforts
Fourth (2 points) Mathias Jensen
Surely, surely, the club will trigger Jensen’s contract extension? He’s pouring out the high-quality performances with all the consistency of Castrol GTX.
No goals and no assists yet it was the midfield trio who were absolutely critical to this win. All three of them putting in gargantuan shifts of passing, running, tackling and creativity. Mathias may not have had the showreel highlights the other two did, but he was everywhere, all at once, and never let his own performance dip.
Fifth (1 point) Michael Kayode
It seems incredible that Igor Thiago may not win our own player of the season award. He scored another goal yesterday to put him just two behind Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot.
However, Kayode has been consistent through the season. At the start as Keith looked to find the right setup and starting XI. Through the middle as the Bees smashed everybody off the park. In recent fixtures when results haven’t always gone the way we’d expect.
Yesterday was more of the same. You know what he brings to the party and he brings it pretty much every game. For a moment, it seemed as if he’d got the crucial touch to the opening goal.
So it turned out to be a generous gift from the visitors but this was all down to his presence. He didn’t let up from that moment on. Another dynamic performance from Kayode.
All of which means that with just those three games left to play, it looks like a straight shoot-out for the top spot. The small matter of Manchester City away could prove crucial though…
- 1st: Michael Kayode 62 points
- 2nd: Igor Thiago 55 points
- 3rd: Mikkel Damsgaard 49 points
- 4th: Mathias Jensen 46 points
- 5th: Caoimhín Kelleher 43 points
