Beware the opponent with little to play for. Crystal Palace were supposed to be in preservation mode, their attention on more exotic occasions. The ideal opponent for Brentford’s chase for Europe. And yet. Adam Wharton scored his first goal in 94 Palace appearances, a first in the Premier League, his goal wreaking heavy damage. Dango Ouattara’s second goal, a late second equaliser, set up 10, chaotic minutes of stoppage time but Brentford could not find a winner.
The final whistle arrived with Brentford in eighth place, current permutations making that enough for next season’s Conference League but there is final-day drama, and other factors besides, to see out.
The Gtech’s final home game of the season took place amid deep uncertainty. At Anfield next week, Keith Andrews’ team must hope to profit from Liverpool’s factional fissures, or else a season of high promise likely ends in disappointment. Destiny no longer lies in his team’s gift. Sunderland, a point behind in ninth, face 10th-placed Chelsea next week, Brentford’s London rivals having an extra game to play.
“We emptied ourselves, played with personality and I just have immense pride,” said Andrews. “The character is there in abundance and it will be there next weekend.”
Andrews has done an exemplary job in replacing Thomas Frank but the pattern of last season, when chances to cement European football were squandered, might well be repeated. Progress counts for plenty – this was a season Brentford were supposed to struggle under a rookie manager – but a single win since February suggests a team low on energy. That situation requires addressing should European football arrive in the Twickenham postcode next season.
In sunny, breezy conditions, Palace were dangerous from the start. The video assistant was called into play in the second minute when Caoimhín Kelleher slid into Ismaïla Sarr on the goalline. Penalty given. Sarr’s run-up was minimal, his finish beyond Kelleher’s reach set Brentford into a recovery mode that would later border on blind panic. “Unfortunately we didn’t quite hit our levels today, especially in that first half,” said Andrews. “We’ve had a pretty special season that could became even more special.”
Eyes on Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig, Oliver Glasner was in rotation mode, five changes made. Wharton’s and Sarr’s selections made his team competitive. Players hoping to win a starting place in a European final can be dangerous, as Brentford found to their cost.
Glasner’s team did not stage a repeat of their first-half no-show at Bournemouth, and might have scored many more by half-time. With fans in party mode, looking ahead to swigging German beer, they were having a ball, their departing manager hailed in song for the fun times he is still bringing. “Huge appreciation for my players,” said Glasner. “A really great attitude.”
Brentford’s route back to parity was the comfort blanket of set-piece routines but Jørgen Strand Larsen hitting the post further heightened home anxiety.
Fortune provided a lifeline. Ouattara’s head delivered the equaliser but only after Jaydee Canvot had deflected a Yehor Yarmoliuk cross away from its intended target into the side of the Burkina Faso forward’s face.
That laid foundations for a second-half reset but Brentford continued to struggle. Wharton’s goal came after Daniel Muñoz recycled the ball following a succession of Brentford defenders’ failure to clear their lines. Wharton’s low left-foot shot found Kelleher at severe fault. “It has been a long time coming,” said Wharton, having broken his duck. “It’s probably the worst shot I’ve had but it goes in and I’ll take it.”
“It was a question of time, he has come closer and closer,” said his manager. Jordan Henderson’s experience was introduced just past the hour in an attempt to wrest control of midfield but Wharton continued to reign supreme. “It’s incredible how he reads the game,” said Glasner.
Keane Lewis-Potter’s shot wide was a rare Brentford attempt on the Palace goal as what was supposed to be a gala occasion lurched towards anticlimax. It at least signalled a shift in momentum. “We dropped a little bit,” said Glasner.”
Ouattara’s second equaliser came via a trusted route; Michael Kayode’s throw was flicked on by substitute Sepp van den Berg, and Ouattara nodded in.
Could the winner come? Kevin Schade, another sub, fired wildly wide, a video assistant referee handball call came and went, Igor Thiago swivelled and had his shot deflected wide amid that frantic flurry. No such goal arrived, Brentford left to wonder if permutations beyond their control and Anfield can rescue those European ambitions.
