Brentford finally reach the summit with Wembley win

At the 10th time of trying, Brentford geared up to end a Championship play-off campaign in success, with a well-oiled Swansea side standing in their way at Wembley.

The Action: Brentford flew into Swansea from the off, and should have been a man up after a potential ankle-breaking tackle from Matt Grimes on Sergi Canos, but soon after Bryan Mbeumo found a way to capitalise on the Bees’ dominance.

Bursting through with his rapid pace, Mbeumo beat Swansea’s keeper Freddie Woodman to the ball, with the keeper taking him down in the box, allowing Ivan Toney to expertly slot home his 11th of the season from the spot, and 33rd in total.

And 10 minutes later Swansea were in full panic mode, with a cleared corner landing at the feet of Mbeumo, who carried the ball before laying it off Mads Roerslev, with the Dane finding fellow countryman Emiliano Marcondes, allowing him to blast in making it 2-0 with 20 minutes gone.

Straight after it was nearly game over as Toney unleashed a brilliant shot from the corner of the box, thumping the crossbar, with the ball centimetres from crossing the line.

Swansea managed to stem the tide before half-time, but Jay Fulton as good as confirmed their fate with a 65th-minute red card, and although the Swans still created decent chances, they never troubled David Raya in the Bees’ net.

The Big Picture: Brentford make the top flight for the first time since 1947, and no one can begrudge them of it. Excellent scouting, coaching and youth development meant a first appearance in the Premier League was just a matter of time, with today’s performance the cherry on top of the cake.

Man of the Match: It would be a crime if Bryan Mbeumo wasn’t playing in the top flight next season, with the 21-year-old Frenchman at his best today, completely unplayable with the ball at his feet.

Moment of the Match: Toney’s long-ranger would have been a goal of the season contender if it had just made it over the line, but the audacity was a clear sign of what Premier League defences will have to deal with next season.

Expected Goals: Brentford (1.47) 2-0 (0.98) Swansea

🗣 "I've never cried so much in my life."

Emiliano Marcondes reacts to winning the play-off final with Brentford after losing last season #EFLPlayOffs #BRESWA pic.twitter.com/ARIq96kQhQ

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 29, 2021