Fast start propels Brentford into Championship playoff final

Brentford bossed the match from the start in its last-ever fixture at Griffin Park, its home since 1904, and added a third goal early in the second half.

Published : Jul 30, 2020 09:50 IST , London

Brentford's David Raya saves a penalty taken by Swansea City's Andre Ayew.
Brentford's David Raya saves a penalty taken by Swansea City's Andre Ayew.
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Brentford's David Raya saves a penalty taken by Swansea City's Andre Ayew.

Early goals from Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Marcondes settled Brentford nerves and laid the platform for a 3-1 victory over Swansea City on Wednesday to seal a place in the English Championship playoff final next week.

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg of the semi-final, Brentford bossed the match from the start in its last-ever fixture at Griffin Park, the club's home since 1904, and added a third goal early in the second half through Bryan Mbeumo.

Rhian Brewster pulled one back for Swansea 12 minutes from time to set up a nail-biting finish, but the host hung on to win 3-2 on aggregate and edge closer to a top-flight return for the first time in 73 years as it prepares to move to its new Brentford Community Stadium home for the 2020-21 campaign.

Brentford await the winner of the other semi-final between Fulham and Cardiff City on Thursday, with the London side leading 2-0 from the first leg.

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The victory was the first in 12 playoff matches for Brentford which made the perfect start when leading scorer Watkins netted his 26th goal of the campaign, profiting from a perfect through-ball by the impressive Mathias Jensen.

The home side was ahead in the tie inside 15 minutes as Marcondes drifted between the Swansea centre backs to head a pin-point Said Benrahma cross into the net.

Benrahma also hit the post in a dominant first-half display from Thomas Frank's side, which moved further ahead within a minute of the second half.

Jensen released left back Rico Henry into space and his cross was volleyed into the net by Mbeumo with a sublime finish.

Swansea gave itself a chance when Pontus Janssons mistake allowed Brewster to chip David Raya in the home goal, but the side could not find a second goal to level the tie.

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