A 1-0 reverse for Brentford at Old Trafford was one in which our hosts dominated but ended the evening on the ropes and hanging on for a valuable win.
It was the ultimate game of two halves. Brentford barely able get a look in during the first. Very much making their presence felt as the second period progressed.
In the end, despite all their dominance it was United who were grateful for the final whistle following a second half where only the bravery of David de Gea stopped the Bees from seeing this one end all square.
Substitute Keven Schade finding himself clean through and running towards the goal at the away end. As the visiting support braced for that wonderful moment of celebration, de Gea closed the angle and smothered the shot. The Spanish ‘keeper collecting a hefty blow for his troubles.
It was as close as we came in a half where it had actually felt as though there were finally two teams on the pitch. The opening period seeing one way traffic. The Bees barely able to find a way into the game and struggling to get past the meridian line. Instead, the gameplan felt one of trying to absorb the pressure. Of keeping the ball clear. Of everybody mucking in to stop the relentless wave after wave of United attack.
Just before they finally broke the deadlock, United had experienced 78% possession. To be fair, it had felt more. Eventually their dominance told and Marcus Rashford found the back of the net. The one piece of sloppy defending all evening from the Bees was punished in the most brutal of fashions. A corner cleared, the ball hoisted back into the box with Marcel Sabitzer unpressured on his header through to Rashford who made no mistake in plenty of space.
If there had been an almost inevitable sense that a goal would be coming, it was as frustrating as they come to finally concede given how hard we’d gone about our defensive game plan. How hard we continued to go about it even after shipping the opener.
One could argue that, perhaps, Thomas should have been more adventurous from the off. Instead, respect was paid to the opposition, their set up and the vast but ancient arena in which the game played out. The second period beginning brighter and the trio of substitutes on the hour mark seeing Brentford crank it up again. To finally hit the level that our head coach so demands. Schade, Baptiste and Dasilva seeing a rejig in the playmakers and it almost reaped dividends. Almost.
The Bees started to win corners. The Bees threatened. Looked as though we might show why the conversation about Europe remains relevant. Half chances began to be carved out, of which Schade’s was the one that tops the bunch. When United broke forward – and they still did, alarmingly so – the defence and David Raya held firm.
Going two down never really felt a possibility, it was more the struggle to draw level that saw the sands of time slipping away at pace. United players falling to the floor with ease to halt any momentum that was building.
From a first half that saw the home side with, apparently, 17 touches in our box compared to Brentford’s 2 in theirs (and, honestly, I’m struggling to remember either) the game ended in much brighter style. Sadly, it also ended in defeat but despite all their chances, all their control, all the stats it was by the narrowest of margins. A touch more good fortune for Brentford and it could have seen the poitns shared.
That’s not how football works though, as we all know. Instead, United were clinical. Just the once, but that’s all they needed to do. The three points stay at Old Trafford and Brentford now have the visit of Newcastle United to look forward to this Saturday.
Were we tired? Perhaps. The midfield certainly seemed bogged down in the first-half at a point where taking the game to the opposition would, ideally, have been the way to go. Pushing up (Brentford) rather than playing a line so deep it looked as though we were shark fishing.
Regardless, we lost. United won. The history books will show a 1-0 home win. That 4-0 thrashing inflicted by the Bees back in August avenged. Although not in any way near as emphatic a scoreline.
No amount of chewing over it will change the result so, instead, let’s turn to the main reason for being here. Namely, the season long quest to find our overall top performer aswell as the game by game top five.
Brentford Player Ratings from Matchweek 29 (vs Manchester United)
1st (Star Player: 5 points) – Ethan Pinnock
Only David Raya eclipsed Ethan at Brighton on Saturday. The time around, nobody came even halfway close to matching our man. Truly he seemed to be everywhere.
Whilst keeping the ball clear wasn’t just down to Ethan alone, it felt like he was under everything. Each header out had his name on it. Each tackle his boot through it. One, just before the first half came to a close, absolutely crucial in keeping our chance alive until the inevitable rejig. His physicality and desire to win the ball absolutely unequivocal from start to finish.
Ben Mee has taken most of the defensive headlines and plaudits this season but kudos to Ethan for his own consistency, too. He’s been in the top five pretty much every week in the second half of the season and, with just 9 games to play, this star man award makes those final standings look ever harder to call.
2nd (4 points) – Pontus Jansson
Made his first start in months at the weekend and followed it up with another colossal performance at Old Trafford.
Regardless of whether your preference is for two or three at the back, nobody could doubt the skipper’s commitment to the cause. His phenomenal will to win at all costs. His desire. His drive. We had thema ll by the bucketload on Wednesday evening.
3rd (3 points) – Ben Mee
The centre back trio were the reason that the tidal wave of pressure only turned into a single goal rather than Brentford being washed away under this rainy Mancunian skies.
Whilst Ethan and Pontus were the two whose presence was so visibly evident, Ben did his usual thing of going about defensive duties, quietly, confidently but also indefatigably. To miss him out on an evening when so much was thrown at Brentford would be criminal, so we won’t.
4th (2 points) – Kevin Schade
Oh, that chance. Very much his Richard Cadette moment. Fairplay for even carving it out though, with David de Gea having to show why there are only the likes of David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga ahead of him in the battle to be Spain’s number 1.
This moment aside, Schade’s pace and athleticism caused headaches from the moment he entered the field of play to the final whistle. Had he started this one it might have been a different story but, perhaps, there was half a plan in mind ahead of Saturday. Whatever the reasoning, our new star continues to shine.
5th (1 point) – Shandon Baptiste
Like Kevin (and also Josh) his arrival really helped turn the tide. Made it feel as though there were actually two teams competing in this game. Was a constant threat during the thirty minutes he was on pitch with runs in and around the box, the ball at times seemingly tied to his foot with a piece of string.
Whether he or Kevin did sufficient to warrant a starting berth against Newcastle United remains to be seen but, regardless, Shandon can take some consolation from more ‘player of the seasons’ points on the board. Possibly.
Brentford Player Ratings – Top 5 Players Overall (after Matchweek 29)
All of which means that Ben Mee pulls right back on our leader Ivan Toney. It is a story that has played out all season with the pair trading places at the top of our table. However, the big news is the continued rise of Ethan Pinnock. His five-point haul sees him overtake the now joint fourth placed Rico Henry and Mathias Jensen.
Newcastle United on Saturday is going to be huge. Bring it on and see you there.
1st – Ivan Toney (50 points)
2nd – Ben Mee (49 points)
3rd – Ethan Pinnock (45 points)
t4th – Rico Henry, Mathias Jensen (43 points)
Follow Nick on Twitter @NickBruzon
2022-23 Brentford Player Ratings – Matchweek 29 vs Nick Bruzon
