Brentford were held 2-2 by Wolves after leading through Michael Kayode and Igor Thiago, with the draw denting the Bees’ European push and giving the visitors another point in their fight to stay up.
Brentford’s push for Europe suffered a frustrating check on Monday night as they were held to a 2-2 Premier League draw by Wolves at the Gtech Community Stadium. Keith Andrews’ side were in control for long spells of the first half and deservedly went two goals ahead through Michael Kayode and Igor.
Brentford took charge early.
There was little in Wolves’ opening spell to suggest Brentford would have trouble seeing the game out. Kayode broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute, and Thiago doubled the lead 15 minutes later after latching on to a long pass from Caoimhin Kelleher. Brentford were aggressive, direct and looked the more dangerous side, with Thiago even hitting the bar before Wolves had settled. At that stage, the home side appeared on course for another important result in the race for the top seven.
Armstrong shifted the mood before half-time.
The match changed just before the interval. Wolves had offered little in the final third for most of the first half, but Armstrong gave them a route back into the contest in the 44th minute with an excellent solo goal, taking the ball from distance before driving a finish into the top corner. It reduced Brentford’s margin at the worst possible time and altered the tone of a game that had been running firmly in the hosts’ favour. Instead of going in with full control, Brentford reached half-time with only a one-goal lead and a very different second half ahead of them.
Wolves grew into the game after the break.
The second half was shaped by Wolves’ improvement and Brentford’s fading control. The visitors had more of the ball after the restart and began to threaten more consistently, with Armstrong striking the post before Brentford were forced into changes. Damsgaard needed treatment on a knee problem and was replaced, while Wolves kept building pressure through wide deliveries and transitions. By the closing stages, the momentum had clearly shifted.
Arokodare levelled in the 77th minute, heading in from close range after Joao Gomes clipped a cross to the back post. Wolves almost went in front moments later when Arokodare struck the crossbar, and Brentford needed to ride out a difficult finish. They still had one big chance to win it, but Reiss Nelson headed wide late on after good work from Jordan Henderson. The numbers reflected the balance of the contest by full-time, with Wolves edging possession 51 per cent to 49 and finishing with more shots on goal.
A missed opportunity for Brentford
For Brentford, this will feel like two points dropped rather than one gained. They remain in the fight for a European place, but the position of strength they built in the first half should have been enough to produce a win.
Wolves, meanwhile, leave west London with another sign of life at the bottom of the table after recovering from 2-0 down. Brentford were the better side early on, but they could not maintain that authority when the game turned, and that is the part Andrews’ side will regret most.