Brentford were back to their typically ruthless selves, as Ivan Toney scored again and the Bees buzzed to a 2-0 victory over Wolves at Molineux Stadium on Saturday.
[ MORE: Upcoming Premier League schedule | Live PL table ]
The victory is only the second in nine games (2W-0D-7L) for Brentford (25 points - 14th place), who have short on first-team players due to injuries and international call-ups for months now. Thomas Frank’s side had slipped to 15th in the Premier League table, just three point above the relegation zone ahead of the weekend.
Wolves lost star attacker Matheus Cunha (9 goals, 6 assists this season, his first full campaign in the PL) to an apparent leg injury midway through the first half, and his departure killed any early momentum. Brentford had their way once Wolves were without their dangerous outlet man, and eventually got their just reward in the 35th minute.
January loanee Sergio Reguilon served up a brilliant cross to the near post, picking out Christian Norgaard no more than two yards off the goal line. Norgaard thumped home a header that registered 0.87 xG on the chance.
Wolves thought they had pulled level just five minutes into the second half as Craig Dawson applied the glancing header to a curling cross, but video review revealed that Dawson was stood a few inches offside and the goal was taken off the board. The rest of the game was virtually all Wolves, who had the first nine shots of the second half.
Unfortunately for them, none of the nine found the back of the net, but the 10th one did. More unfortunately for Wolves, Brentford took the 10th shot and Toney made it 2-0 in the 77th minute. Vitaly Janelt played a delightful one-time ball into the penalty area, splitting two Wolves defenders and teeing up Toney for a cool first-time finish (his third goal in four games since returning from suspension).
Efficiency, ruthlessness, steel on full display by Brentford
Despite being out-possessed nearly 3-1 (72-28) and out-shot nearly 2-1 (17-9), Brentford generated almost twice as much xG (1.94-1.13) as Wolves. If not for a handful of uncharacteristic mistakes at pivotal points in recent weeks, Brentford’s season (and the narrative around them) might read drastically differently. Saturday’s performance saw them waste precious little of their limited possession in the first half (four of seven shots on target) before defending for their lives after the restart (43 passes completed in the second half, at an astonishing 43 percent).
What’s next?
Wolves will continue their chase for a top-half finish same time next Saturday (10 am ET) when they head to north London to take on Tottenham. Brentford will receive a visit from Liverpool to kick off the weekend’s action earlier int he day (7:30 am ET).
Player ratings - Wolves vs Brentford
Wolves vs Brentford, final score: 0-2
Goalscorers: Christian Norgaard (35'), Ivan Toney (77')
35th minute - GOAL - Christian Norgaard heads home corner kick to make it 1-0
77th minute - GOAL - Ivan Toney applies the finish to Vitaly Janelt’s cross
Wolves vs Brentford: How to watch, live stream link, start time
Kickoff: 10am ET Saturday
TV Channel: Peacock Premium
Stream: Premier League on Peacock
Wolves starting lineup
Sa — Kilman, Dawson, Gomes — Semedo, Lemina, Gomes, Ait-Nouri — Sarabia, Cunha, Neto
Brentford starting lineup
Flekken — Collins, Pinnock, Mee — Roerslev, Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt, Reguilon — Toney, Maupay
Wolves team news, injuries
None
Brentford team news, injuries
OUT: Bryan Mbeumo (ankle), Yoane Wissa (international duty), Frank Onyeka (international duty), Rico Henry (torn ACL - out for season), Kevin Schade (adductor), Aaron Hickey (hamstring), Josh Dasilva (torn ACL - out for season)