Defeat for Brentford at The Stadium of Light was one served up with a huge amount of frustration. In truth, The Bees probably should have had this wrapped up long before Wilson Isidor’s 95th minute header squeezed through and under Caoimhín Kelleher to turn 1-0 up in to a 2-1 reverse.
Like last time out in the league – the 1-0 win against Aston Villa – The Bees spent huge periods of the first half on the back foot. Scored the game’s opening goal when Ouatarra broke clear. Had the officials chalk a strike off for infringement. This time around, those two elements combining as having got on to the end of a header for Collins, Dango was adjudged to have strayed marginally ahead and the effort was chalked off after VAR took a look.
It was, regrettably, the correct call and aside from two Schade headers all the Bees had to show from a turgid first-half in which neither team created much. Sunderland with more of the ball but Keith Andrews’ side looking comfortable at the back. The preference from Brentford, more to play it long rather than work it through the middle and out wide as we’d done to such success last season.
In contrast, the second half saw genuine chances to put this one to bed. Fleeting, granted, but there.
Firstly, when Nathan Collins was hauled to the ground by Reinildo Mandava as the Bees took a short corner. It’s long been said that this most maligned of set pieces never works yet, perhaps, here was that trend about to be bucked in the most delicious of styles as a penalty was awarded.
Alas not. Maybe we’ve been spoiled by the precision of Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo but, over the last few seasons the referee might as well have pointed directly to the centre circle the moment a spot kick was awarded. Such was the almost certainty of a goal being scored.
Heavy sits the challenge of following those two though. Whilst Igor Thiago had scored from the spot at the City Ground, this time around it was Schade who picked up the ball.
Had it gone in, Keith Andrews would likely have been hailed as some sort of set-piece genius in dropping the trend for spot-kick consistency and mixing it up. Instead, the fans left scratching their collective heads after seeing an effort that was weakly hit and too close to Robin Roefs. The man in nets stopping it comfortably.
Fair play to Scahde for having the balls to step up for it. the Stadium of Light a cacophony of noise and not a place for the faint-hearted. We can’t change what didn’t happen and at least The Bees kept going. Changes made in the 70th (Henry for KLP and Onyeka for Henderson) bringing almost immediate rewards.
Patient build up around the box seeing Frank the Tank dink one in for the lurking Thiago. The Brazilian rising between two defenders to head it down and past Roefs. 1-0 Brentford. The away support going nuts and feeling that the slow, turning of the screw had finally paid off. The Bees turning into the Cliff Thorburn of the Premier League, grinding their way past another tough opponent. Just 13 minutes left to see this one out
If only. It’s Brentford, innit? Five minutes later and the scores were level. Rico Henry adjudged to have hauled Habib Diarra to the floor on the far side of a crowded box. It looked six-of-one and a soft call at best. Yet on a day that VAR seemed to scupper everybody in the Premier League, barring the big clubs, The Bees were offered no respite. Enzo le Fee placing it the wrong side of Kelleher who was unable to do anything as he fell the other way.
Eight minutes to go. Eight minutes of time added on. Survival and the point which everybody would have taken going into this one the priority. A second penalty shout against Rico waved away. Sunderland, sensing blood in the water and deep into stoppage time finally went ahead. There was no way back. No time for the Bees to do anything. No points on the road and nothing to do but lick the wounds.
Keith would talk afterwards about how “During the second half, we played with a lot of personality”. Whatever that means. That some opportunities were carved out, perhaps?
It’s a shame Brentford couldn’t do the same in the opening period as I’m sure the game would have been wrapped up. That’s not how football works. Chances need to be created. When that happens, they need to be taken. Cleanly, there was too little of both.
Overall, a frustrating afternoon that promised so much more and, up until the last knockings, looked as though it might well deliver. Instead, we go home empty-handed, although at least with the prospect of an international break to rejig before the visit of all-purchasing Chelsea.
I’m not sure if you have heard, but they are now calling themselves the Club World Cup Champions. That’s not going to get tedious…
Until then, it’s time for 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 ends up the eventual winner after game 38.
1st (5 points) Nathan Collins
Stand out from the Captain. No wonder there are more than a few hoping that Monday’s transfer window shuts without his name being involved.
It was more of the same, though. Like Mikkel Damsgaard, picking up from where he left off last season. We know what he does but he does it so well. The clearances. The blocking. The passing it out. There was all of this but also the creativity.
Nathan was in the main, in the right place to receive that goalbound ball before being manhandled to win the penalty instead. It was the skipper who released Ouattara, too.
Hard lines to return home with nil points after doing everything possible to shut down creative opportunity.
2nd (4 points) Sepp van den Berg
Actually, Sepp was my ‘early doors’ leader for MOTM before Nathan went clear.
We all know how well the partnership between the pair of them has grown. To the extent that Ethan Pinnock currently has to be content sitting next to Mathias, Rico, Aaron et al on the sub’s bench.
It always feels like Sepp is as much the unsung hero, given the aerial presence and dominance of Nathan, but that’s not to say he’s any less valued. Saturday afternoon, a key example as he threw himself in front of anything that came close. Was there with the interceptions. Did everything possible to go for a third successive clean sheet (let’s not forget he got a bonus run out in the cup at Bournemouth last Tuesday).
3rd (3 points) Igor Thiago
Three goals in four games for Igor. Not a bad strike rate and the finish this time left Roefs no chance. It was further proof of what we’ve been saying this season that building it up to Igor rather than playing it long, allowing him to get into position, is what will bring out his best.
He also carved out a beautiful opportunity for Ouattara in the second period. Cutting down the left and playing it in. Alas, the header was just that bit too close to the ‘keeper. When those two find their rhythm the goals are really going to flow.
4th (2 points) Mikkel Damsgaard
Quieter than usual for Mikkel but, once again, looked the player most likely to create chances. To open up opponents who were as determined not to lose as the Bees were.
Statistically speaking, was streets ahead of the rest of the team in terms of opportunities worked. If just one of those crosses had found the right connection, we’d have been telling a different story on Sunday morning.
One can but try.
5th (1 point): Michael Kayode
Did his thing. Again. Virtually unpassable at the back and powerful on the break. Second only to Damsgaard on the cross count whilst his long throws are very much a weapon of choice.
All of which means that after Round 3 of fixtures, the current top five is:
- 1st Michael Kayode – 9 points
- 2nd Nathan Collins – 7 points
- 3rd Mikkel Damsgaard – 6 points
- 4th Kevin Schade – 5points
- 5th= Rico Henry, Sepp van den berg, Igor Thiago – 4 points
Next up a break, the hope that the transfer window works in Brentford’s favour and then a visit from Chelsea. As of Sunday morning, the current league leaders.
That’s going to be a lot of fun…..
