A 4-3 win for Brentford at Burnley one of those where the scoreline doesn’t even begin to touch the sides of describing the mayhem that played out at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon.
The Bees racing into a seemingly unassailable 3-0 lead with little more than half an hour on the clock. Goals from Mikkel Damsgaard, Igor Thiago and Kevin Schade illuminating the free-flowing football being played by Keith Andrews’ side.
The absence of Caoimhín Kelleher on paternity leave little more than a statistical curiosity with the ball barely entering the Brentford third. The statisticians dusting down the brackets as goal followed goal followed goal.
Men against boys. Training ground practice. Say what you want but this was about as one-sided as it gets. The Turf Moor all-you-can-score buffet was open for business and the Bees were at the head of the queue with their plates full.
Then, it all went Pete Wrong. Whilst the game ended with 7(seven) goals it was in anything but the traditional sense.
Burnley‘s finding the back of the net moments before, and after, half-time via deflections from Kayode – the first more turned directly in than diverted – saw the deficit reduced to a solitary goal. The returning right back unfortunate on both efforts but the end result being that Brentford were suddenly on the back foot. The hosts sensing the chance of opportunity when, by all rights, they should have been long dead and buried.
On the hour mark it, was all level. Zian Flemming heading past Hakon Valdimarsson to restore parity. The home support sparked back into life after jeering their own team off at the interval. The Bees’ support responding in style with cries of, “You only sing when you’re drawing”.
Morale still high but deep down a fear that Brentford may be about to turn into the most sickening form of Leeds United tribute act. When the club had announced ‘Six more years of Keith Andrews’ following his midweek contract extension, surely this isn’t what they had meant?
It got worse before it got better. More stressful than anybody has a right to endure. From 3-0 up on 34 minutes, less than 45 minutes later it was 4-3 to Burnley. Zian Flemming steering home from close range after a cross into the box had looped up into his path off Kris Ajer. Shellshock and disbelief all round at the inevitable.
By inevitable, of course, we mean VAR. Paul Tierney at Stockley Park correctly adjudging that Flemming had been in a marginal offside position and advising Sam Barrot to restore the scoreline to 3-3. He duly obliged. The home support beyond frustrated although that was nothing compared to what would come…
Their search for a legitimate winner continued, albeit to no avail. Brentford looking like they’d hold out for a point that would have felt very much like the quintessential ‘two dropped’. Then, Mikkel Damsgaard happened.
With the game into the third of seven minutes additional time, Rico Henry’s cross fell straight to the Danish playmaker. He’d already done well to lose his man and find space but there were still three defenders and the goalkeeper between him and the back of the net.
One touch to bring it down and stop it almost dead in front of him.
One touch to pick the perfect path through a sea of claret.
Despair turning into the utmost joy for the Bees.
Oh, what a moment. What relief. What celebrations. This was it, now. Yes? Not even Leeds United could fall apart from this position? Four minutes of the ninety-seven left to see out the game. Easy? Yes? No.
With 99 minutes on the clock, Ashley Barnes sent the home support into their own floods of ecstatic bliss. The ball over knocked down by the player and fired past the barely moving Valdimarsson to level it up at 4-4.
Honestly, you can’t even make this stuff up. The emotion of being a Brentford fan is one that even now has a raspberry ripple of heartbreak running through. Utter, utter dejection but then, possibly, hope. Reprieve. Salvation. It appeared as though Mr. Tierney was checking VAR once more…
The wait, interminable. The subsequent play-back made one question how it had taken so long. Barnes clearly using his arm to guide the ball down before shooting. Whether accidental or otherwise, it had a clear consequence in his being able to kick the ball.
The goal, quite rightly, chalked off. The celebrations from each end as poles apart as it is possible to imagine. If anything, making the win all the sweeter with Burnley denied in what were, for the visitors at least, the most wonderful of styles.
We’ve been undone by VAR so many times this season. It hurts. It is brutal. It feels totally subjective depending on which team you support. Yet for Brentford to win a game we’d done our best to throw away with the help of this system was an irony not lost.
Frankly, who cares? Three points are three points. They should have been long wrapped up. It was only that brace of deflections that gave the hosts a way back in to this game anyway and whilst one can’t deny the brief resurgence of fire in their belly, class ultimately told. However torturous it was in getting there.
That said, there aren’t the words to truly describe the rollercoaster ride gone through in watching all 100+ minutes of this game. Joy. Excitement. Pride. Casual acceptance of a goal conceded. Squeaking of backsides as a second went in. Despair at the third. All this before VAR even came in to play.
In the end, it ranks up there with Pontus at Watford or Sheffield United in the Championship – the Keith Stroud officiated Battle of Bramall Lane – in the echelons of the greatest, latest celebrations on the road.
The sort of stranger-hugging, unbridled joy that only comes in the most dramatic of circumstances. Brentford celebrating like they’d won the FA Cup, to coin a phrase.
If this is what they meant by ‘Six more years of Keith Andrews’ then I’ll take it.
Next up, we’ve got Tuesday night’s trip to Bournemouth. Let’s hope for more of the same – points rather than stress.
Until then, our ongoing search for 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) Mikkel Damsgaard
It can only be one man. He was utterly immense from start to finish. Even before he’d risen to head home the opener, I remarked to Mrs B that, “Damsgaard’s having a blinder today”. His ghosting through the opposition and picking out team-mates with those tracer bullet passes a pleasure to watch when he’s on this sort of form.
Yet in truth, he was the man in the right place at the right time not once not twice but three times. Opening the floodgates early on with his precise header. Setting Thiago free to double Brentford’s lead with a pass so magnificent it might aswell have come gift wrapped. Breaking Burnley hearts at the death with his brilliance of touch, control and then that laser guided shot home.
Keith has been spoiled for midfield choice in the last month or so but with Vitaly Janelt seeming as though he’ll miss the next few weeks with injury, surely Mikkel can only be nailed on to retain his place in the starting XI. Certainly, on this sort of form.
Second (4 points). Mathias Jensen
The captain outstanding in the middle once more. Particularly in the first half where every pass made was matched by one of equal precision from Mathias.
He had a slow start to the campaign but its no coincidence that his reaching the heights of last season has come at the same time as The Bees have really kicked up a gear or three.
Third (3 points). Rico Henry
To be quite honest, Mikkel was so far ahead of anybody else that we’re almost lost for other choices. However, I thought Rico player really well. Particularly pushing up the left flank where he worked tirelessly from start to finish.
It was apparent from early on how much faith Keith has in his man to build up the play. His faith was rewarded in a non-stop display that culminated in his perfect cross for Damsgaard’s winner.
Rico very much back to his pre-injury best and with Brentford on the charge for Europe, no better time for him and Mathias to hit peak form.
Fourth (2 points) Igor Thiago
How nice to see him back on the score sheet from open play. The timing of his run and the coolness of finish to put The Bees 2-0 up were just about as perfect as they come. Not just in terms of quality but in giving the Bees the breathing space that the early surge had suggested was coming.
With Erling Haaland missing Manchester City’s game at Leeds United, the gap in the race for Premier League golden boot has shrunk to four. Could this now steer Igor on to even greater heights? The pundits are talking him up for selection in Brazil’s World Cup squad and on this sort of form, it would be hard to argue against them or him.
Fifth (1 point). Romelle Donovan
Another exciting appearance off the bench for Romelle. Equal parts confidence, skill and excitement as he ran at, and through, the Burnley lines.
He’s not likely to start a game yet, certainly given who is in front of him, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Keith looks to get him in to the action earlier and earlier if this is what he’s going to offer the Brentford team.
All of which means there are changes in the top five. Kelleher being caught and Vitaly nudged out in their absence whilst Thiago nudges back ahead of Kayode at the top.
Tuesday’s game at Bournemouth is set to be even bigger than it already was. Come for the European challenge. Stay for the top five article.
- 1st Igor Thiago. 47 points
- 2nd Michael Kayode. 46 points
- 3rd= Caoimhín Kelleher. 35 points
- 3rd= Mikkel Damsgaard. 35 points
- 5th Rico Henry. 32 points
