Two second-half goals ended Brentford's nine-match winless run and move further clear of the Premier League relegation zone as they earned a 2-0 victory over rock-bottom Sheffield United.
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An Oliver Arblaster own goal off Mikkel Damsgaard’s cross and a stoppage-time finish from Frank Onyeka saw Thomas Frank’s Bees pick up their first victory since February against Chris Wilder’s Blades at the Gtech Community Stadium.
It ends a rough stretch for the hosts, who had struggled since their 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 10 February, and puts further daylight between them and the bottom three – they now have a seven-point cushion.
But woes continue to mount for their visitors, who remain stuck at the foot of the table as they fight to secure their top-flight status.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 |
Crystal Palace
CRY
|
35 | -12 | 40 |
| 15 |
Everton
EVE
|
35 | -11 | 36 |
| 16 |
Brentford
BRE
|
35 | -8 | 35 |
| 17 |
Nott'm Forest
NFO
|
35 | -20 | 26 |
| 18 |
Luton
LUT
|
35 | -29 | 25 |
| 19 |
Burnley
BUR
|
35 | -32 | 24 |
| 20 |
Sheffield Utd
SHU
|
35 | -63 | 16 |
How the match unfolded
Both sides spurned opportunities inside the first 15 minutes, with Ben Brereton Diaz unable to fire off a finish after a barnstorming solo break, and Sergio Reguilon drifting a header across the bar from close quarters.
Vitaly Janelt also came near to the opener when he stung the palms of Blades 'keeper Ivo Grbic with an effort from 20 yards out, while Brereton Diaz and Damsgaard both blew chances when they failed to keep their respective strikes low.
Neal Maupay missed the best chance of the first half when a misplaced pass from Anel Ahmedhodzic put him one-on-one on goal, only for the Brentford forward to send his shot wide, while Yoane Wissa could not find a way to break the deadlock either shortly before the interval.
Brentford subsequently thought they had the lead just over nine minutes into the second period when Zanka slotted Mathias Jensen’s dipping free-kick past Grbic inside the box, only for the offside flag to be raised against him.
But the visitors finally cracked at the back when Arblaster stuck a leg out to desperately deal with Damsgaard’s dangerous ball after the Dane had cut loose on a run from midfield, only for the Blades player to divert it into the far corner of the net in the 63rd minute.
Damsgaard thought he had added a second when his smart volley was awarded on-pitch, but referee Sam Barrott overturned the decision after a VAR review that highlighted a foul in the box by Nathan Collins on Oli McBurnie.
Brentford ensured there would be no late fightback when Onyeka darted onto Kevin Schade’s ball from the left flank in the third minute of stoppage time and sent a fine finish past Grbic to seal the deal.
It has not been pleasant viewing for Brentford fans since they returned from the West Midlands with three points just over two months ago, with their side managing only four points in the interim.
Still, victory against their visitors on Saturday ensures they can likely look towards ensuring their Premier League status is preserved for another campaign and Brentford will hope to all but secure safety next weekend when they travel to Luton Town.
Blades dulled as pressure mounts
Ever since he returned to the club as Paul Heckingbottom’s successor, Chris Wilder has appeared to have the odds stacked against him to ensure Premier League safety for the Yorkshire club.
Defeat here leaves them still marooned in last place, four points behind Burnley, while several of their rivals continue to register enough results to make the race above them interesting.
Their task will not have been helped by an injury to Jayden Bogle, who had to be taken off the pitch by staff when he was replaced in the closing stages.
With just six fixtures left, the Blades are struggling to retain their top-flight status, though there is still a faint chance they could kick-start a remarkable late revival if they defeat fellow strugglers Burnley next weekend.
Club reports
Brentford report | Sheff Utd report
Next Premier League fixtures
Key facts
Brentford’s opener this afternoon was the sixth own-goal Sheff Utd have conceded in the Premier League this season, the most any of team in the division, with Arblaster the fifth different Blades player to score an own goal this term for the club after Anis Ben Slimane, Wes Foderingham, Jack Robinson and Bogle.
Sheff Utd have conceded 84 goals in the Premier League this season, the most any team has conceded in the competition after 32 matches played and the most of any top-flight team at this stage of a season since Ipswich Town in 1963-64, with 85.
Brentford have kept back-to-back clean sheets at the Gtech Community Stadium in the Premier League for the first time this season and for the first time May 2023. Prior to this run, the Bees had conceded 22 goals across 10 home matches – an average of 2.2 goals conceded per 90 minutes.
Despite going in at half-time level for the 16th time in the Premier League this season (the fifth-most in the division), today’s victory was only Brentford’s fourth after being level at the break this season. Prior to today’s match, the Bees were winless in their five previous such matches, drawing two and losing three.