Brentford 2-0 Swansea: Player ratings as Bees secure promotion to the Premier League
By Ross Jackson
Brentford finally secured their long awaited promotion to the Premier League after they swept aside Swansea in the Championship play-off final with a 2-0 win at Wembley on Saturday.
The Bees flew out of the traps and were ahead with just ten minutes on the clock. Bryan Mbeumo did brilliantly to nip ahead of Freddie Woodman before the Swansea goalkeeper brought him down, allowing Ivan Toney (who else) to slot home the resulting penalty.
Just ten minutes later Brentford had doubled their lead, with Mads Roerslev doing brilliantly to pick out the run of Emiliano Marcondes before the Danish midfielder slotted home, with Toney almost putting the game to bed a minute later as his superb volley bounced off the underside of the crossbar.
Despite a spirited start to the second half in which Andre Ayew missed a glorious chance with a close-range header, Swansea's task was made even harder with 20 minutes to play as Jay Fulton was dismissed following a rash challenge on Mathias Jensen.
From then on it was smooth sailing for the Bees as they saw out the game and booking their place in next season's Premier League.
Let's get to those all important Brentford and Swansea player ratings...
BRENTFORD PLAYER RATINGS
1. Goalkeeper & defenders
David Raya (GK) - 6/10 - Looked a bit shaky at times and was lucky to see Ayew's header bounce off the cross bar as he flapped at a cross. That aside he did what was expected of him.
Henrik Dalsgaard (CB) - 6/10 - Not given anywhere near the busy afternoon he would have been expecting. Looked comfortable as the Swans failed to stretch the game in behind the Brentford backline.
Pontus Jansson (CB) - 5/10 - Guilty of letting the ball run across him to allow Ayew a free header at goal which he should have converted.
Ethan Pinnock (CB) - 7/10 - Very impressive display from the former Barnsley man. Steady in possession and rarely looked flustered on the few occasions Swansea built up a head of steam.
2. Midfielders & wing-backs
Mads Roerslev (RWB) - 7/10 - Brilliant effort to keep up with Mbeumo as Brentford hit Swansea on the counter to double their lead. Did well to complete his defensive duties as well as providing an attacking outlet.
Mathias Jensen (CM) - 7/10 - Ran himself into the ground and did a lot of hard work in midfield as he recycled possession and picked up a lot of loose balls.
Emiliano Marcondes (AM) - 8/10 - Busted a gut to join the attack as Brentford countered early and was rewarded with the second goal of the game. Added guile to the midfield and was a menace all afternoon.
Vitaly Janelt (CM) - 6/10 - Industrious enough but couldn't provide a great deal of quality and picked up a needless booking in the second half after being given the run-around by Connor Roberts.
Sergi Canos (LWB) - 7/10 - You won't see many better passes than his through ball to allow Mbeumo to win the penalty - it might actually not have been meant for him but it was still brilliant.
3. Forwards
Bryan Mbeumo (ST) - 8/10 - Instrumental in Swansea's quick start as he won his side an early penalty. Tormented the Swans' backline with his pace before moving into a wing-back position late on and was key to the win.
Ivan Toney (ST) - 9/10 - Appeared to be nonchalantly sipping a cup of tea as he took the most 'pressurised' penalty of his life and then rattled the bar with a brilliant strike ten minutes later. Led the line superbly and was the best player on the pitch.
4. Substitutes
Marcus Forss (ST) - 7/10
Saman Ghoddos (RW) - 6/10
Winston Reid (CB) - 6/10
Mads Bidstrup (CM) - N/A
SWANSEA PLAYER RATINGS
5. Goalkeeper & defenders
Freddie Woodman (GK) - 5/10 - Dived in at the feet of Mbeumo to concede a penalty in the opening stages. Given no chance with either of the Brentford finishes but will be regretting his rash decision early on.
Marc Guehi (CB) - 4/10 - Picked the play-off final to have his worst game of the season. Terrorised by Toney all afternoon and looked like he was dizzy when he came off the pitch.
Ben Cabango (CB) - 5/10 - Guilty of losing the run of Mbeumo as he stole in to the win the penalty. Has enjoyed a great campaign on the whole but probably showed his inexperience as he let the big occasion get to him.
Kyle Naughton (CB) - 6/10 - The best of the Swansea backline though that's not much of a compliment. Steady enough throughout the game before being withdrawn as Cooper threw on attackers late on.
6. Midfielders & wing-backs
Connor Roberts (RWB) - 7/10 - Was one of the few players in a Swansea shirt who looked like making things happen. Played high on right and produced some brilliant deliveries when given the chance.
Conor Hourihane (CM) - 4/10 - Very fortunate not to be sent off in the opening stages with a reckless challenge. Steve Cooper would have hoped he could bring a calmness to the big occasion but he completely let his side down.
Matt Grimes (CM) - 5/10 - Could have done more to close Toney down as the Brentford frontman rattled the crossbar and seemed to let the game pass him by.
Jay Fulton (CM) - 5/10 - Struggled against the classy Brentford midfield and saw his difficult afternoon come to a premature end as he was sent of for a bad challenge.
Jake Bidwell (LWB) - 6/10 - Could never be accused of a lack of effort down the Swansea left and was a constant outlet, but the quality just wasn't there.
7. Forwards
Jamal Lowe (ST) - 5/10 - Worked hard for the good of the team but really struggled to impact proceedings. Found himself dropping deeper in the latter stages to try and make things happen but it just wasn't to be.
Andre Ayew (ST) - 5/10 - Feeding off scraps for much of the first half and was clearly growing frustrated. His big chance came early in the second half yet he couldn't hit the target with a free header from eight yards out.
8. Substitutes
Liam Cullen (ST) - 6/10
Yan Dhanda (AM) - 5/10
Ryan Manning (LM) - N/A