MX23RW : Monday, December 3 12:06:12
Nov 27, 2018 at 7.45pm UK at ​Griffin Park (Brentford, Middlesex)
Brentford
2-3
Sheff UtdSheffield United
Maupay (6'), Fleck (65' og.)
FT(HT: 1-2)
Konsa (10' og.), Norwood (15'), Clarke (72')

Result: Blades cut down Brentford to stay in touch at the top

Result: Blades cut down Brentford to stay in touch at the top
© Reuters
Maupay gave the hosts the dream start after just six minutes.

Sheffield United stayed in touch with the Championship's top two with a 3-2 win at strugglers Brentford.

An Ezri Konsa own goal, a sublime Oliver Norwood strike and a Leon Clarke second-half winner were enough to consign the Bees to their sixth defeat in seven games.

Goals from Neal Maupay and Romaine Sawyers' second half deflected strike were not enough to ease the pressure on new Brentford head coach Thomas Frank.

Maupay gave the hosts the dream start after just six minutes when he drilled home under keeper Dean Henderson after a clever one-two on the edge of the box with Sawyers.

But the lead lasted just four minutes, a completely unchallenged Konsa bizarrely glancing a header into his own net.

United stretched their lead five minutes later, Kieron Freeman teeing up Norwood to curl a beauty around and over Bees keeper Daniel Bentley into the top corner.

It could have been worse for the Londoners early on when Enda Stevens' driven low cross found John Lundstram, whose first time effort shook the crossbar from eight yards.

Midway through the half the Blades should have made it three when a low cross eluded the flat-footed Bees defence and only a brilliant point blank stop from Bentley denied David McGoldrick at the far post.

Sergi Canos should have thrown the hosts a lifeline on the half hour but his driving run from the wing ended with a shot that flew high and wide.

Norwood's free kick just before the break was stopped beneath the angle by Bentley and Canos flashed a volley over the bar at the other end as the half ended with United leaving the Brentford defence chasing shadows.

Brentford emerged brighter after the break, Yoann Barbet fizzing a low drive just past the upright and Maupay's shout for a penalty after being bundled over by Jack O'Connell in the box was waved away by referee Stephen Martin.

But the hosts levelled in the 65th minute when Sawyers seized on a loose ball, drove forward and fired a rasping drive past Henderson with the help of a John Fleck deflection.

Second half substitute Clarke almost gave the visitors the lead straight from the kick-off but somehow powered his header wide when it looked easier to score.

But he made amends minutes later. Barbet was sleeping from a quickly taken throw and Conor Washington's low cross from the byline was calmly sidefooted home in his stride by the veteran striker.

Maupay fired an instinctive effort just wide as Brentford chased the game, but they looked vulnerable every time the Blades pushed forward.

Alan Judge's late free kick was palmed wide by Henderson by the foot of his post at the death, but a point would have papered over the cracks for a Brentford side short on confidence and sliding down the table.

Share this article now:
David Nugent and Chris Gunter
Read Next:
Aitor Karanka: Forest are growing and improving
>

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Norwich CityNorwich20124435221340
2Leeds UnitedLeeds20116333171639
3Middlesbrough209832213935
4West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom19104541271434
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest20810232211134
6Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2010463224834
7Derby CountyDerby2010463024634
8Aston Villa208753930931
9Birmingham CityBirmingham207943024630
10Blackburn RoversBlackburn207852630-429
11Queens Park RangersQPR208482429-528
12Stoke CityStoke206952525027
13Swansea CitySwansea207582221126
14Bristol City207582424026
15Wigan AthleticWigan207492328-525
16Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds206592536-1123
17Preston North EndPreston205783135-422
18Brentford195683028221
19Hull City2055101928-920
20Rotherham UnitedRotherham204881930-1120
21Reading2046102632-618
22Millwall2046102433-918
23Bolton WanderersBolton2046101326-1318
24Ipswich TownIpswich2018111735-1811

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Login, I already have my ad-free pass
Log in to customise Sports Mole
Buy ad-free access (show me the options)
Buy monthly ad-free access for £1.20/month
Buy yearly ad-free access for £12 (2 months free)
Settings - Logout - Manage your account
Settings - Logout - Manage your account