Beware the opponent with little to play for. Crystal Palace were supposed to be in preservation mode, with 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, his first ever in the Premier League, his goal wreaking heavy damage. Dango Outarra’s second goal, a second equaliser, set up a desperate finish, as 10 minutes of injury time were added but Brentford could not find the winner they so desired. The whistle arrived with them in eighth place, enough for next season’s Conference League, but there is final-day drama to see out,
The Gtech’s post-match farewell to supporters 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 can end in disappointment. Sunderland, a rival for that position, face another in Chelsea next week, with Brentford’s London rivals having an extra game to play.
Andrews has done an exemplary job in replacing Thomas Frank but the pattern of last season, when chances to cement European football were squandered, may be repeated. Progress counts for plenty – this was a season Brentford were supposed to struggle – but a single win since February has suggested 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. After Ismaïla Sarr had a swing and miss and Ouattara fired over at the other end, the video assistant was called into play when Caoimhín Kelleher slid into 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 later bordered on panic.
Keen eyes on Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig, Oliver Glasner was in rotation mode, five changes made.
Wharton’s and Sarr’s selections maintained the appearance of a credible, competitive selection. Perhaps opponents should fear teams of players hoping to win a starting place in a European final. Palace did not stage anything like a repeat of their first-half no-show at Bournemouth, and might have scored many more by half-time. Kelleher had to make a strong-arm, near-post save from Wharton. Yéremy Pino supplied Sarr with a chance crashed off the angle. Their fans in party mode, looking ahead to swigging German beer, Palace were having a ball.
Brentford’s route back to parity became set-piece routines. Michael Kayode’s long throw came into commission but Jørgen Strand Larsen hitting the post further heightened home anxiety. Igor Thiago, whose goals have powered Brentford into their position, was struggling for space, Mikkel Damsgaard’s radar struggling for a connection.
Fortune provided a lifeline. Ouatarra’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 when a succession of Brentford defenders had failed to clear their lines. Wharton’s low left-foot shot found Kelleher at severe fault.
Jordan Henderson’s experience was introduced just past the hour in an attempt to wrest control of midfield, where Wharton continued to reign supreme until the frantic finish.
Keane Lewis-Potter’s shot wide was a rare attempt on the Palace goal as what was supposed to be a gala occasion lurched towards anticlimax. Before that, Brentford had created little of note but it signalled a shift in momentum. Next, Ouattara found space at the edge of the box but his side-foot shot was never going to beat a crowd of defenders in his way. Dean Henderson was able to make an easy save but found himself beaten by the same player for the second equaliser. It came via a trusted route; Kayode’s throw was flicked on by substitute Sepp van den Berg, and Ouatarra nodded in.
Could the winner come? Kevin Schade, another substitute, fired wildly wide, a VAR handball call came and went, Igor Thiago swivelled and had a shot deflected wide, Van Der Berg headed a corner behind. No such goal arrived, Brentford left to wonder if permutations and Anfield can rescue those European ambitions.
