BEELINE FOR THE PREM
Brentford win the £170million match to take their place among the game’s elite
THOMAS FRANK buried the Bees’ play-off hoodoo – and then vowed to drown himself in booze.
The Dane ended 30 years of hurt as goals from Ivan Toney and Emiliano Marcondes saw Brentford promoted to the Premier League – worth a staggering £170million to the club – via the endof-season face-off for the first time. On nine previous occasions, spanning back to
1991, the west London club tasted bitter disappointment in the three-game finale to the season.
Just nine months ago was the last time, when rivals Fulham leapt into the top flight at their expense.
But this time the busy Bees would not be denied as Frank promised to party to make up for all that disappointment.
He was clearly overcome when he said: “I don’t really understand how big an achievement it is.
“The fans deserve it so much with the pain they have been through.
“We haven’t been in the top division for 70-something years and took 10 attempts to go through the play-offs – and now this.
“I’m going to get so drunk tonight.” Brentford have not been in the top
flight since 1947 – but with both goals coming inside the opening quarter, the decisive blow had already been made.
Frank said: “In some ways I’m empty of emotions. I was very emotional just after the final whistle.
“There were tears in my eyes and a lot of the staff. It is so big.
“Especially because of the way we have done it.
“We were so close last year, twice. Once with automatic promotion and then going so close in the final.
“Then we had 21 games unbeaten, then falling short again.
“We knew anything could happen against a good Swansea side.”
However, Brentford would not be denied and deserved their triumph.
Swansea looked sluggish, fractured.
Unsure of themselves and their system. from his boss at the final whistle. Frank And it was that opening quarter when said: “Ivan is, by far, the best penalty taker the match was won and lost as the Bees in the world. made their moments count. “I texted him that. Every time I saw
There had already been one or two Cristiano Ronaldo miss one, I would text hefty challenges on Sergi Canos before him. Or Lionel Messi. He has that the tricky winger threaded a ball down composure, you know he will score.” the inside-left channel. It There were The next mistake Swansea was directed towards Toney tears in my eyes made was crucial. It but the forward slipped. and a lot of came from a corner they had
Sensing the confusion, the staff forced, Andre Ayew losing Bryan Mbeumo made his possession. The ball was move. He darted behind Ben Cabango cleared down the left, where Mbeumo and was clattered into when Freddie found himself two-on-two with Toney Woodman rushed from his goal. tying up the other defender.
VAR wasn’t in use. It wouldn’t have He delayed his pass until Mads been necessary in this case. Roerslev created an overlap. The
Referee Chris Kavanagh awarded the midfielder’s low centre found Marcondes, penalty. Toney, using his three-step walkup, and the Dane found the bottom corner found the net. It drew lavish praise from 15 yards with a side-foot finish.
Swansea were reeling. They showed flashes – but when Jay Fulton chased the outstanding Mathias Jensen towards the touchline he trod on his opponent’s heel.
It was nowhere near the ball but appeared accidental.
The match official showed little hesitation reaching for his red card.
“It looked an unfortunate one,” said Swansea chief Steve Cooper.
“In no way did it look intentional. We didn’t get any help from the officials, that’s for sure.”
That may have been clutching at straws. The remainder of the match was played out with few scares. After 74 years, Brentford didn’t really want any.
Frank didn’t want to talk about the future, adding: “It’s talk for another day – like I said, I just want to get so drunk.”