Report: Brentford last-gasp equaliser denies Palace

Summary:

• Vieira makes two changes, with Andersen returning and Lokonga making his first start.
• Olise forces Raya into a flying save with a well-struck effort from distance.
• Norgaard and Mbuemo fire narrowly wide in quick succession.
• HT: Brentford 0-0 Palace
• Eze nods Palace into the lead from Olise’s delightful cross.
• Brentford push for an equaliser as Palace threaten on the break.
• Janelt heads home in stoppage time to deny Palace.
• FT: Brentford 1-1 Palace

Palace, adorned in their black third kit for the first time, looked confident and composed in possession, and stroked the ball around nicely against an aggressive Brentford defence.

Their best attempt in the first-half, however, were from distance: Michael Olise stung the palms of David Raya with a rasping left-footed effort, and Joachim Andersen’s far-post header pushed away.

The hosts were dangerous in their own right. Christian Norgaard fired narrowly wide with Guaita rooted to the spot, while Bryan Mbuemo rounded two defenders to create space before aiming to pick out the bottom corner; it was a mere few inches away.

Both sides continued to push after the break, and Jeff Schlupp came close with a header after Ivan Toney’s penalty appeals had been waved away at the other end.

It was the substitute who found the breakthrough, however, as Ebere Eze made an instant impact from the bench. It was a well-worked goal, Doucouré finding Olise, who cut in onto his left and dinked a delightful ball into Eze, who had the simplest of headed finishes from six-yards out.

Both managers made plenty of changes as an intense battle developed in the driving rain, and Brentford pushed hard late on to find the equaliser.

Disaster struck with virtually the final kick of the game, as Vitaly Janelt powered home a header in the sixth minute of stoppage time – Palace barely had time to kick-off before the final whistle blew.

It meant frustration for Patrick Vieira after his side’s confident display, but the points were shared.

Brentford: Raya (GK), Hickey (Lewis-Potter, 75), Henry (Janelt, 75), Pinnock, Nørgaard (Damsgaard, 63), Jensen, Dasilva, Wissa (Schade, 63), Mee, Toney, Mbeumo.

Subs: Cox (GK), Zanka, Ajer, Baptiste, Roerslev.

Palace: Guaita (GK), Clyne, Andersen, Guéhi, Mitchell (Richards, 81), Doucouré, Lokonga (Eze, 63), Olise (Ahamada, 79), Ayew, Schlupp, Mateta (Edouard, 79).

Subs not used: Whitworth (GK), Milivojevic, McArthur, Hughes, Riedewald.

Full-time

90+6 mins

There is barely time for Palace to kick-off again - it was virtually the last kick of the game.

So frustrating for Vieira's side, but the points are shared.

Goal

Brentford 1-1 Palace (Janelt)

90+5 mins

Agony. Brentford draw level right at the death.

90+2 mins

Brentford are still pouring forwards, but Palace are holding firm. A throw in is like a set-piece in these parts, and another is hurled into the penalty area.

90 mins

We will have SIX minutes of additional time.

Chance

86 mins

Almost a first Palace goal for Ahamada!

He arrives late into the area and skips past two challenges, but his low effort is deflected behind for a corner.

Substitution

81 mins

Another change for Palace as Mitchell is forced off with an apparent injury, with Chris Richards replacing him.

Substitution

79 mins

Now Palace make a double switch of their own.

Odsonne Edouard and Naouirou Ahamada are on in place of Jean-Philippe Mateta and Michael Olise.

77 mins

Forward come the hosts in search of an equaliser, and Mbuemo wins a corner which Andersen clears.

You would expect Palace to have some defending to do in the closing stages.

Substitutions

75 mins

Thomas Frank is not happy to see his side behind, and makes two more changes. On come Vitaly Janelt and Keane Lewis-Potter for Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry.

73 mins

Now then, can Palace build on their lead? They certainly look confident as they hold onto possession.

GOAL!

Brentford 0-1 Palace (Eze)

69 mins

PALACE HAVE THE BREAKTHROUGH – AND HE’S ONLY BEEN ON THE PITCH A MATTER OF MOMENTS!

It’s well worked too. Ayew’s cutback reaches Doucouré on the edge of the box, who ignores the demands to shoot and instead picks out Olise.

The 21-year-old cuts onto his left and dinks a delightful ball into the far post, where Eze can nod home from six-yards-out.

Massive, massive goal.

66 mins

Here come Palace now. Mitchell’s cross is forced behind, and the men in black have a corner.

Olise delivers towards the near-post, and it’s cleared – twice in fact.

Substitutions

63 mins

Both managers look to the bench, and for Palace it means the introduction of Ebere Eze in place of Sambi Lokonga.

Thomas Frank makes two changes of his own, bringing on Mikkel Damsgaard and Kevin Schade for Josh Dasilva and Yoane Wissa.

59 mins

The ball falls nicely for Norgaard on the edge of the area and he connects with his volley well, but Guaita is behind it and saves.

Chance

56 mins

A delicious ball into the area finds Jean-Philippe Mateta, who gets there first but can’t get his header on target.

52 mins

Danger now for Palace as Mbuemo is felled and Brentford have a free-kick near the touchline. Plenty of bodies forwards.

The delivery is a good one and it’s met by Christian Norgaard, but he nods wide.

49 mins

What a start to the second-half.

First Ivan Toney goes down in the penalty area under pressure from Joachim Andersen, but the referee waves away the protests. Palace break straight away through Ayew, who picks out Jeff Schlupp powering into the box. He connects with his header well, but it’s wide.

Kick-off

46 mins

The boys are back out and the second-half gets underway - can Palace find the opener?

Half-time

45+2 mins

There goes the half-time whistle.

It’s all square at the break, but both sides have played some excellent stuff. All to play for when we come back.

45 mins

Both side pushing for the breakthrough before half-time, as Toney is penalised for offside before Ayew pushes forwards.

We will have TWO minutes of additional time.

37 mins

Brentford come close again.

Mbuemo dances away from a couple of tackles on the edge of the area and lets fly, but he drags his shot narrowly wide.

Yellow card

36 mins

Hmm.

Joachim Andersen is in the book and the Brentford players aren’t happy, but from a glance at the reply it’s difficult to understand why.

It’s a free-kick just outside the centre-circle, and both captains receive a talking to from the referee.

Tensions rising.

32 mins

A Brentford free-kick is knocked back into the far-post, and Guaita punches behind for a corner. Mateta is back defending, and nods clear.

29 mins

This is excellent from Palace.

The Eagles are passing the ball around with real calmness and composure, and have enjoyed much of the possession in the recent exchanges.

26 mins

Palace have a corner, and Andersen rises highest to meet Olise’s cross. It narrowly evades Guéhi and Raya can come and claim, but it’s another sight of goal for Palace.

It’s been such an even contest so far – the first goal could be crucial.

22 mins

Brentford have begun to dominate possession, but Palace don’t seem to mind – they look ready to spring an attack on the break at a moment’s notice.

18 mins

Brentford come forward dangerously, but Palace and playing with real composure on the break. Andersen flicks a ball through to Doucouré, and they’re away again.

Olise wins a corner and finds a combination of Andersen and Guéhi from the set-piece, but Raya gathers.

Yellow card

13 mins

Early bookings here, and Jordan Ayew is the second in the opening 15 minutes.

Chance

11 mins

It’s very nearly a screamer from Olise!

Palace work it fantastically well to advance through midfield and find Olise, who exchanges passes with Schlupp before unleashing an absolute humdinger in the direction of the top corner.

Raya beats it behind for a corner, which Brentford clear.

7 mins

Huge chance for the hosts!

A long throw into the penalty area causes bedlam and an extended bout of head tennis breaks out. Eventually the ball falls for Norgaard, who strokes narrowly wide with Guaita rooted to the spot.

4 mins

It's a decent ball in too, which bounces to Joachim Andersen at the far post, who strikes ambitiously. It's curling, but not enough and David Raya watches it over the crossbar.

Yellow card

3 mins

Positive start from Palace as Ayew spins away from Mee on the right and is hauled down. The centre-back accepts his inevitable booking.

Free-kick...

Kick-off

15:00

The players kneel to mark the Premier League's No Room for Racism campaign, and we're underway.

COME ON, PALACE!

14:57

Here come the teams - Palace are in their black third kit for the very first time. I must say, it looks the absolute business. Marc Guehi sports the captains armband.

Brentford in their traditional red and white shirts, black shorts and black socks.

15:50

The warm-ups are almost complete, and both sets of players are heading back to the dressing rooms as kick-off approaches.

These two start today...

14:40

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14:30

The boys are here...

From the manager

13:15

The lineups are out, and now Patrick Vieira has elaborated on his team selection for today.

“Joachim [Andersen] has been doing well in the last couple of days in training, and we had [James] Tomkins who had family issues so he’s not playing to be close to his family,” the manager explained.

“I was happy with the way [Lokonga] came on, with the last game he played. Will Hughes had some injury issues, so he didn’t train for some of the week. He wasn’t ready to start today.

“Every time I have faced Brentford it has been challenging. What is important for us is to match the competitiveness, and for us as a team to try to improve from the last game, take our chances and be more ruthless in front of goal if we manage to create those chances.”

Team news

14:00

The lineups are in, and Patrick Vieira has made two changes to his side to take on Brentford as Joachim Andersen returns from injury and Sambi Lokonga makes his first start for Crystal Palace.

Lokonga comes in for Will Hughes in midfield, starting alongside Cheick Doucouré with Michael Olise, Jordan Ayew and Jeff Schlupp ahead of them; Jean-Philippe Mateta leads the line.

In defence, Joachim Andersen returns after limping off at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea last month, resuming his partnership with Marc Guéhi. Nathaniel Clyne and Tyrick Mitchell are at full-back, with Vicente Guaita making his 150th Palace appearance in goal.

Fellow new-signing Naouirou Ahamada is among the substitutes, as are attacking reinforcements in Ebere Eze and Odsonne Edouard. James McArthur, Chris Richards and Hughes are also available.

Brentford: Raya (GK), Hickey, Henry, Pinnock, Norgaard, Jensen, Dasilva, Wissa, Mee, Toney, Mbeumo.

Subs: Cox (GK), Schade, Zanka, Ajer, Lewis-Potter, Damsgaard, Baptiste, Janelt, Roerslev.

Palace: Guaita (GK), Clyne, Andersen, Guéhi, Mitchell, Doucouré, Lokonga, Olise, Ayew, Schlupp, Mateta.

Subs: Whitworth (GK), Milivojevic, Eze, McArthur, Hughes, Edouard, Richards, Ahamada, Riedewald.

13:55

Team news coming up in five minutes time...

Hughes: It’s about the details

13:45

Will Hughes feels Palace know where they'll need to improve if they’re to get a point today

The midfielder, whom manager Patrick Vieira confirmed on Friday would be in the squad to travel to the Gtech Community Stadium after overcoming injury, believes credit is due to the Bees, who are unbeaten in their last 10 Premier League matches.

“I really like watching them – they’re a very effective team,” Hughes said of Brentford.

“They know what they’re doing and they’re well-drilled. They’ve gone under the radar quite a bit, so we know we’re in for a tough game, especially at their place.

“I think everyone knows you don’t always get much time in football, but [Brentford’s progress] shows that if you trust in a process, there are benefits to be had.

“For us, it’s just minute details at the moment. Especially at the highest level, not conceding goals and scoring goals is just in the details.

“It’s something we are working on and hopefully, when we do start scoring a couple, the floodgates will open, but it’s just one of those things we’re working hard on at the moment.

"Every team's going to go through a sticky patch in the season. Although we've been picking up points, we know as a team we haven't been firing on all cylinders, but we are still 12th. Considering we haven't picked up many wins recently and we are still in that position, hopefully that's a good sign that, when we do start winning, we'll be moving up the table."

Past meetings

13:30

Since consecutive runs of third-division fixtures in the mid-1950s and ‘60s, the footballing fates have conspired to mostly keep Palace and Brentford apart in domestic competition – at least until the Bees’ arrival in the Premier League last season.

Since then, all three matches between the two sides have finished level: a pair of 0-0 stalemates in 21/22, and a 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park earlier this season, when an excellent Wilfried Zaha strike was cancelled out by Yoane Wissa’s late headed equaliser.

Overall, however, Palace have the historical edge over Brentford in all competitions, with 17 wins to Brentford’s 14 (plus 10 further draws).

13:15

The stage is set.

Welcome to Brentford

13:00

Palace are on the road again, albeit a much shorter trip this time – we’re at the Gtech Community Stadium to take on Thomas Frank’s high-flying Brentford.

The Eagles have been picking up points against stern opposition in 2023, securing well-earned draws Newcastle United, Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion.

But can Patrick Vieira’s side claim a valuable three points in west London this afternoon?

We’ve got all the action for you – stay tuned for all the build-up, action and reaction!