AYEW STRIKE STINGS BEES
Andre shrugs off penalty miss
ANDRE AYEW scored a brilliant late winner to really make Brentford pay for what is looking like a promotion death-wish.
The Bees squandered several great chances, gave away a penalty and had a man sent off as their bid for promotion blew up yet again.
Ayew, who missed the 63rdminute spot-kick, made no mistake second time round with a stunning 81st-minute volley that flew into the net.
But you just can’t help feeling the wheels are coming off for Thomas Frank’s men, who had Rico Henry sent off for a reckless challenge on Connor Roberts in the 65th minute.
Just before, Pontus Jansson had sent Rhian Brewster tumbling for the penalty but Ayew’s spot-kick was a bit casual and keeper David Raya made a great one-handed stop.
Swansea take a one-goal lead into Wednesday’s second leg but the Bees were left cursing some great missed opportunities.
All the onus was on them and the one thing in their favour was that they had won both of their clashes with Swansea this season.
They might well have been in front after just nine minutes when only a great one-handed stop by Erwin Mulder kept out a cheeky back header from Ollie Watkins.
But then it was Brentford who had their keeper to thank – Raya reacting superbly to beat away a stinging shot from Brewster midway through the first half.
But Raya had a lucky escape when Ayew’s header struck his post and, when Brewster moved in for the rebound, he fluffed his header from a couple of yards out.
SWANSEA (3-4-3): Mulder 7; Guehi 6, van der Hoorn 6, Cabango 6; Roberts 7, Fulton 6, Grimes 6, Bidwell 6; Ayew 8, Gallagher 8, Brewster 7. Goal: Ayew 81.
BRENTFORD (3-4-3): Raya 8; Dalsgaard 6, Jansson 6, Pinnock 6; Henry 5, Jensen 7 (Baptiste 85), Nargaard 6, Dasilva 6 (Roerslev 70, 5); Mbuemo 6 (Marcondes 70, 5), Watkins 7, Benrahma 7. Sent off: Henry 65.