Match Report from the Gtech Community Stadium, as Brentford were held to a disappointing draw at home to Sunderland in a game not lacking any drama.
Brentford welcomed Sunderland to the Gtech Community Stadium for the Bees first 3pm kick off of the season,
Keith Andrews opted for an XI of; Kelleher; Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Janelt, Sangare; Ouattara, Thiago, Schade. Just one change from the side that drew 1-1 at Leeds United, with Ouattara in for Jaidon Anthony on the right.
After five minutes, Brentford had a decent opportunity to score, but Lewis-Potter's presentable opportunity from inside the box was very well blocked by an away shirt.
Just seven minutes in, Sunderland had the ball in the back of the net through a set piece. However, after a lengthy VAR delay, and a monitor check, the goal was disallowed, as Sunderland defender Kevin Danso was impeding Kelleher's view from an offside position. We were told these decisions would not take as long this season, but here we are.
The Bees were forced into an early change after 17 minutes, with Brentford captain Nathan Collins unable to continue - far from ideal so early on. Jannik Schuster came on in his place for his Premier League debut.
The sub seemed to mess with the team's momentum, as Sunderland began to get on top, and had a couple of presentable opportunities to take the lead midway through the first half.
After a disappointing first 45, a clearly frustrated Andrews made three changes at the interval, with Hickey, Anthony, and Yarmoliuk replacing Kayode, Ouattara and Sangare.
Well, it looked like it worked, because after a very positive period - where Thiago especially could have scored - 12 minutes into the second half, Brentford made the breakthrough. A cross from the right hand side was not dealt with properly by the visitors, and there was Janelt following in with an excellent finish.
Janelt celebrates his goal // REUTERSWith around 20 minutes of the game remaining, it looked like Anthony had made it 2-0, but this time it was Brentford's turn to have a goal disallowed by VAR, Well, you win some, you lose some.
After 81 minutes or so, Sunderland were awarded a penalty, with Enzo Le Fee calmly scoring the penalty, 1-1. In an attempt to try and go all out for the win, Wilson replaced Damsgaard shortly after.
As we entered stoppage time, Thiago had another good chance to score, but his header following a throw in was blocked. From the subsequent corner, Schuster had a decent opportunity to score, but could not direct his header on target.
So, that would be it, a 1-1 draw. You could respect the point against Leeds, as much as it was a missed opportunity. This though, just a very frustrating afternoon for a number of reasons, but the Bees remain undefeated this season. Up next, a trip to the south coast to face AFC Bournemouth next weekend.
