Brentford emerged as 1-0 victors against Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon at Portman Road in the Premier League, keeping their European hopes alive.
Only one shot was attempted by either side in the first 15 minutes but Kevin Schade found the back of the net shortly after when he met Bryan Mbeumo's inswinging corner to give Brentford the lead.
Ipswich created little in the first half - registering just 0.08 xG - and they could have found themselves 2-0 down less than 10 minutes after the interval had Yoane Wissa taken his time with his shot that he poked at goalkeeper Alex Palmer.
The Bees controlled much of the second half and eventually took home all three points, and they are now in eighth place with 55 points, five fewer than seventh-placed Aston Villa.
Ipswich remain in 18th place with just 22 points but could be overtaken should 19th-placed Leicester City beat Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
Of the three teams that had earned promotion to the Premier League last season, Ipswich were arguably seen as favourites to head straight back to the Championship, so it is difficult to say that they they have fallen short of their expectations despite their struggles this term.
Meanwhile, Thomas Frank continues to demonstrate why he should be a leading candidate for a managerial position at a number of European clubs.
There is still an outside chance that Brentford could qualify for European football themselves should results go their way in various competitions.
IPSWICH TOWN VS. BRENTFORD HIGHLIGHTS
18th min: Ipswich Town 0-1 Brentford (Kevin Schade)
© Imago
Bryan Mbeumo swings in a corner from the left, and his delivery is met by Schade, who flicks the ball backwards and sees his effort loop from the near post to the far post and in.
Another assist for Mbeumo!
52nd min: Yoane Wissa (Brentford) shot
© Imago
Yegor Yarmolyuk manages to win the ball high up the pitch for Brentford and plays towards Mikkel Damsgaard, who in turn finds Wissa on the right side of the box, but the forward's early poke at goal is met by shot-stopper Palmer.
Brentford ramping up the pressure!
68th min: Nathan Collins (Brentford) penalty claim
© Imago
The visitors take a corner and a number of Brentford players fall to the ground, with Nathan Collins falling after wrestling with Axel Tuanzebe, but VAR does not think the referee has made a clear and obvious error after not awarding a penalty.
Frank will be furious!
MAN OF THE MATCH - KEVIN SCHADE
© Imago
Kevin Schade was Brentford's main attacking threat, and though he only played for 72 minutes, he still managed to produce the joint most shots on target (two) of any player on the pitch.
The forward also registered the most touches in the penalty area (nine) of any player, and created the joint most chances (two) amongst his teammates.
IPSWICH TOWN VS. BRENTFORD MATCH STATS
Possession: Ipswich Town 49%-51% Brentford
Shots: Ipswich Town 11-15 Brentford
Shots on target: Ipswich Town 4-5 Brentford
Corners: Ipswich Town 5-6 Brentford
Fouls: Ipswich Town 6-12 Brentford
BEST STATS
Only three players have been directly involved in 25+ goals in the Premier League this season:
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 10, 2025
◎ Mohamed Salah (46)
◎ Alexander Isak (29)
◉ Bryan Mbeumo 🆕
Welcome to the club. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/VmdFAAqqJy
WHAT NEXT?
Ipswich's penultimate game of the season will be against Leicester City on May 18, with their final match of 2024-25 coming against West Ham United at home on May 25.
As for Frank's Bees, they will host Fulham in the Premier League next Sunday before taking on Wolverhampton Wanderers away from home seven days later.
Lewis Nolan
