IVAN SETS TONE
Frank hails his Bees hitman
THOMAS FRANK hailed Bees match-winner Ivan Toney – and apologised to red-card sinner Shandon Baptiste.
After Brentford had grabbed a first top-tier away win in 74 years, the Danish coach was in jubilant mood.
So much so that having praised hitman Toney for his penalty and setting up Bryan Mbeumo for a killer second, Frank refused to criticise Baptiste for his stupid dismissal.
The Bees boss, with eight points from a possible 15, said: “Ivan was superb. What a player, what mentality, what passion. He was everywhere today.
“I was about to replace Shandon just before the red card. So I said sorry to him.
“I felt he was unlucky with the first yellow.
“But even with 10 men we defended with heart and soul. These players are so impressive.”
Opposite number Bruno Lage was less gracious after a fourth defeat of the campaign, blasting Brentford’s time-wasting.
He said: “I saw too many players on the floor. I saw the keeper change gloves. There’s a different way of managing a game instead of spending time like that. It was too much.”
Frank hit back: “I could ask him back what he’d have done.
“We are a bus stop in Hounslow against a Wolves side with 10 times the budget. Did we deserve to win? Yes.”
Adama Traore was guilty of Wolves’ biggest miss before the break as he blazed over in the 17th minute. The speed king was also seriously unlucky after 34 minutes when his thunderbolt shot struck the bar.
Either side of that the Bees, led by Toney and Mbeumo, ran riot with both finding the net.
Toney had already had an effort ruled out when he slotted home from the penalty spot just before the half-hour mark.
Referee Darren England awarded it after defender Marcal grabbed and grappled Mbeumo to the floor.
Toney had a backheel finish disallowed by VAR for handball.
But Wolves’ reprieve did not last long as the striker crossed for Mbeumo to fire home.
Midfielder Baptiste did his best to provide an interesting finale when, having already been booked, he hauled back Hwang Hee-chan.
But even with a numerical advantage the hosts could not cut the deficit. Raul Jimenez came closest, heading Traore’s cross inches wide in added time.