STING IN TAIL AS BEES EYE TOP 2
BRENTFORD rattled the cages of their promotion rivals as the promotion battle hots up. They could certainly make life uncomfortable for leaders West Bromwich, whom they face at home on Friday night. Victory would cut the gap between them and the top two to just five points.
The Bees beat third-placed Fulham courtesy of two late goals. With West Brom only drawing at home to Birmingham and Leeds slipping to second place after losing 2-0 at Cardiff, Brentford are right back in the running for an automatic promotion spot.
Substitute Emiliano Marcondes set up Said Benrahma to put Brentford ahead in the 88th minute before the pair reversed roles, with Benrahma picking out Marcondes to seal the win in stoppage time.
Manager Thomas Frank said: ‘It’s just a good example that everybody needs to act if you want to achieve something. We can only do this together. You look at the best teams in the world and it’s never about just the 11 who start. When you get on the pitch you just do everything you can to help.’
Stuttering pre-lockdown form continued for WEST
BROM with a 0-0 draw against BIRMINGHAM.
One piece of good news for
Albion was a 30th appearance for winger Matheus Pereira, which automatically turns his loan from Sporting Lisbon into a permanent transfer. The top-six chances of MILLWALL were dented by a 3-2 home defeat against DERBY, with 18-year-old Louie Sibley scoring a hat-trick to boost the Rams’ prospects of a late run into the play-off places.
But HULL are facing a second relegation in four seasons after CHARLTON gave themselves a lifeline in what looks set to be a thrilling battle to avoid the drop.
Addicks captain Jason
Pearce stooped to head home the only goal at the KCOM Stadium, pushing Hull into the relegation zone.
MIDDLESBROUGH are also deep in trouble – above the relegation places on goal difference alone – after a 3-0 battering at home by SWANSEA.
Liverpool loanee Rhian Brewster scored twice before Andre Ayew converted a penalty to leave the play-off hopefuls in complete control.
HUDDERSFIELD must fear back-to-back relegations after a 2-0 home defeat by WIGAN saw them slide to 20th, a point above the drop zone.