‘Football god gave a bit back’ to Brentford in dramatic Manchester United draw
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Brentford's Kristoffer Ajer scoring the 99th-minute equaliser against Manchester United.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
LONDON – Brentford boss Thomas Frank said he almost lost faith in football after his side needed a 99th-minute equaliser to hold Manchester United to a 1-1 draw, despite a dominant display on March 30.
The Bees hit the woodwork four times from 31 shots – the most they have ever had in an English Premier League game. Yet they found themselves behind when Mason Mount scored his first United goal in the 96th minute.
Even then, Erik ten Hag’s men could not hold out as Kristoffer Ajer smashed home to deal another blow to the Red Devils’ fading hopes of reaching the Champions League next season.
Victories for Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the day upped the pressure on United to respond. But a draw leaves them 11 points off the top four and eight adrift of fifth-placed Tottenham.
However, it was also the manner of the performance that was just as concerning for ten Hag, on the back of a thrilling 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool
“Brentford were better than us today. They showed more passion, desire and determination as we did,” said ten Hag. “We have to show more.”
It was back to the drawing board for the Dutchman, as his team were comprehensively outplayed by a side who have won just twice in 16 Premier League games.
Brentford famously beat United 4-0 at home
“There should have been only one winner in the game, that could only be us,” said Frank. “Then you go 1-0 down in the 96th minute and you think football is brutal. I almost lost faith in the football god, but he gave a bit back.”
The draw leaves Brentford in 15th place, five points above the relegation zone.
The Bees were far superior in the first half, hitting the woodwork through Ivan Toney and Mathias Jorgensen and creating a slew of other chances.
United improved slightly after the break and Rasmus Hojlund was denied a goal in a seventh successive league game by a strong hand from goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
Brentford continued to create opportunities, with Toney having a goal disallowed for offside and Bryan Mbeumo volleying against the bar.
The game was somehow still goalless in added time when substitute Casemiro played in Mount, who fired past Flekken.
However, Brentford did get the equaliser their performance deserved when Norway defender Ajer produced a striker’s finish to ensure the hosts took something from the game.
Frank praised his players’ character to recover, saying: “When you are this dominant and you then concede a late goal and then have the ability to come back, I don’t know how to explain that, that’s just incredible.” AFP, REUTERS
