THE BEES KNEES FOR FRANK’S HEROES
Frank plans to party with booze after ending Brentford’s play-off heartache
Thomas Frank vowed the drinks would be on him and in him after Brentford ended 30 years of play-off misery to reach the English Premiership.
Goals from Ivan Toney and Emiliano Marcondes saw the Bees sink Swansea 2-0.
Gaffer Frank said: “I am going to get so drunk tonight.”
Thomas Frank ensured the Bees’ play-off hoodoo was sunk, then vowed to get drunk as a skunk.
The Dane ended 30 years of hurt as goals from Ivan Toney and Emiliano Marcondes saw Brentford promoted to the Premier League via the end-ofseason face-off for the first time.
On nine previous occasions going back to 1991, the west London club has tasted bitter disappointment in the three-game finale to the season.
Nine months ago was the last time, when rivals Fulham went up into the top flight at their expense.
This time the busy Bees would not be denied as Frank promised to party to make up for that disappointment.
He said: “I don’t really understand how big an achievement it is.
“The fans deserve it so much. The pain they have been through.
“We haven’t been in the top division for 70-something years, 10 attempts to go through the play-offs and now this. I’m going to get so drunk tonight.”
Brentford have not been in the top flight of English football since 1947 but with both goals coming inside the opening quarter the decisive blow had already been struck.
Frank said: “In some ways I’m empty of emotions. I was very emotional just after the final whistle.
“There were tears in my eyes and a lot of the staff. It is so big, especially because of the way we have done it.
“We were so close last year, twice. Once with automatic promotion and then going so close in the final.
“Then we had 21 games unbeaten, then falling short again. We knew
Brentford .....................2 Swansea.......................0 ■ Neil Moxley anything could happen against a good Swansea side.”
Brentford would not be denied and thoroughly deserved their triumph.
Swansea looked sluggish, unsure of themselves and their system.
It was that opening quarter when the match was won and lost as the Bees made their moments count.
Left-winger Sergi Canos threaded a ball towards Toney but the forward slipped. Sensing the confusion, Bryan Mbeumo made his move.
He darted behind Ben Cabango and was sent sprawling when Freddie Woodman rushed from his goal.
VAR wasn’t in use. It wouldn’t have been necessary in this case and referee Chris Kavanagh awarded the penalty.
Toney, using his three-step walk-up, found the net for his 33rd goal this season. It drew lavish praise from his boss at the final whistle.
Frank said: “Ivan is the best penalty taker in the world.
“I texted him that. Every time I saw Cristiano Ronaldo miss one, I would text him.
“Or Lionel Messi. He has that composure, you know he will score.”
The next mistake Swansea made was crucial.
It came from a corner they had forced only for Andre Ayew to lose possession. The ball was cleared down the left where Mbeumo found himself two on two with Toney tying up the other defender.
The former France Under- 21 international delayed his pass until Mads Roerslev created an overlap.
The midfielder’s low cross found Marcondes and the Dane buried the ball in the bottom corner from 15 yards with a side-foot finish.
Swansea were reeling. They showed flashes but when Jay Fulton chased Mathias Jensen towards the touchline, the former Falkirk kid trod on his opponent’s heel. It was nowhere near the ball but appeared accidental.
The match official showed little hesitation in reaching for his red card.
Swansea boss Steve Cooper said: “It looked an unfortunate one. In no way did it look intentional.
“We didn’t get any help from the officials, that’s for sure.”
That may have been clutching at straws but the remainder of the match was played out with few scares. After 74 years, Brentford didn’t really want any.
Frank didn’t want to talk about the future, saying: “It’s for another day. As I said, I just want to get so drunk tonight.”