Brentford continued their trend of early scoring, stunning Wolverhampton Wanderers with a thrilling 5-3 victory on Saturday in a breathless Premier League encounter that saw six goals in a chaotic first half.
The frenetic pace at Brentford Community Stadium began almost instantly, as Brentford struck for the fourth consecutive match within the opening minutes. This time, it was Nathan Collins heading in from a well-placed Mikkel Damsgaard cross just 76 seconds after kick-off. The quick start once again showcased Brentford’s ability to unsettle opponents with relentless early pressure.
Despite conceding almost immediately, Wolves showed fight. Nelson Semedo found space down the right, cutting back for Matheus Cunha, who slammed the ball into the net in the fourth minute. It was an early indication that both sides were ready to go toe-to-toe, though the defensive organization from both teams left much to be desired.
Brentford responded swiftly to regain their lead, with Mario Lemina dragging down Collins on a set piece, resulting in a penalty after VAR review. Bryan Mbeumo coolly converted, bagging his sixth goal of the season to make it 2-1.
However, Wolves were determined not to let the game slip away just yet. A poor clearance from Brentford allowed Rayan Aït-Nouri to whip in a dangerous cross, which Jørgen Larsen poked into the net to level things at 2-2. The first half was proving to be a back-and-forth display of attacking football, albeit marked by defensive frailties.
Brentford’s attacking intent soon paid off again as they took the lead for the third time in the 28th minute. A slick move saw Vitaly Janelt set up Christian Nørgaard, whose precise strike into the far corner gave Brentford a 3-2 advantage. Before the break, they extended their lead to 4-2, with Ethan Pinnock’s towering header from a set-piece providing a much-needed cushion.
The second half brought some stability to the chaotic defending, with both goalkeepers producing key saves to keep the scoreline in check. Wolves’ keeper Sam Johnstone was particularly impressive, making seven saves, including several one-on-one stops, to prevent Brentford from further widening the gap.
Yet Brentford’s persistence would pay off again late in the game. In the 90th minute, substitute Fabio Carvalho capitalized on a parried save by Johnstone, slotting home for his first league goal for the club and extending Brentford’s lead to 5-2.
Wolves managed a consolation deep into stoppage time as Aït-Nouri embarked on a determined run into the box, unleashing a powerful strike that went through Mark Flekken’s legs. Despite the spirited effort, it proved too little, too late for Gary O’Neil’s side.
The mood among the Wolves supporters was one of growing frustration, as chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” rang out across the stadium. The defeat leaves Wolves rooted at the bottom of the Premier League standings with just one point and a league-worst goal difference of -12.
Speaking after the match, Wolves manager Gary O’Neil didn’t hold back. “It was disastrous, a terrible performance,” he admitted. “We didn’t play anything like us—no shape, too open. Off the back of previous games where I thought we were close, this shows me that we’re not where I thought we were. Things need to change.”
Brentford, on the other hand, will be buoyed by the result, which propels them to ninth place with ten points. Boss Thomas Frank couldn’t resist a bit of humor, quipping, “We’ve been practicing winning the coin toss all week, and we lost it. That’s why it took us so long to score this time!”
With an unstoppable attack but lingering defensive questions, Brentford seem poised to continue their exciting brand of football, much to the delight of their fans. As for Wolves, urgent changes are needed to rescue a season that is quickly slipping away.
