Pontos Jansson canceled out Emmanuel Dennis' opener before Bryan Mbeumo converted from the penalty spot in the 95th minute to take Brentford to the ninth spot in the points table.
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Brentford boss Thomas Franck was extremely happy after his side’s thrilling 2-1 home win against Watford in the Premier League fixture on Friday. The home side came into the match with many of its regular players missing due to injuries and COVID-19. However Brentford managed to secure all three points courtesy of Bryan Mbeumo’s last-gasp penalty winner. Emmanuel Dennis had given the lead to Watford before Pontos Jansson scored a late equalizer.
The defeat left Claudio Ranieri’s side just three points above the relegation zone and a win for any of Norwich, Newcastle or Burnley this weekend could push them down to the drop zone. The hosts were missing three of their first-choice centre-backs and the visitors took full advantage of it to put their nose in front in the 24th minute when an unmarked Dennis nodded home Tom Cleverely’s corner.
However, Frank’s side responded pretty well as they dominated the second half. But, the absence of their top scorer Ivan Toney was clearly visible as they struggled in front of goal. It took the Bees 84 minutes to level the score as a half-cleared corner was returned to the box and Jansson scored from close range.
And then, deep into injury time, William Ekong’s sliding tackle on Saman Ghaddos left the 28-year-old on the floor and Michael Oliver pointed to the spot. Mbeumo stepped up and converted from the penalty kick to take his team to ninth in the points table and 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
Having been denied victory last week at Leeds by Patrick Bamford’s equalizer in the 94th minute, this was a much needed morale boosting victory for Frank’s side.
“It’s crazy. This is what football is all about, these are the moments we are working so hard to try and achieve,” Frank said after the match.
“The game against Leeds was cruel, conceding last minute and now we’re scoring last minute.
“We have quite a lot of injuries, we are playing players out of position, and we go in there and we just attack. We didn’t settle for a draw. Unbelievable mentality from the team.”
Brentford were missing two key attackers in Toney and Sergi Canos but Mbeumo stepped up in their absence and carried his team forward. Frank praised his forward for the composure shown while taking the penalty and for the impressive performance.
“Mbuemo deserves a lot of praise. I think he was unplayable today,” the Danish coach said.
“I’ve said before I have the world’s best penalty taker in Ivan Toney and now maybe I have number two as well.”
Praising the team’s attitude during the game, he added: “All the game not everything was beautiful but we kept trying to play. In general we are giving away a set-piece and one transition chance against a team that has been one of the best offensive teams. They kept patience, fantastic.
“It’s an unbelievable performance and getting three points with the injuries and Covid cases, we equalise in the 87th minute and still go for the win, that’s crazy.”
Brentford will next face Manchester United at home on Wednesday.
