Bees battle back to draw with Derby
Brentford 3 Derby 3
Brentford battled back three times to take a draw in an absorbing, feisty clash against the promotion-chasing Rams at Griffin Park.
Goals from Julian Jeanvier, Neal Maupay and Said Benrahma epitomised the Bees’ character where they found Derby in uncompromising mood which spilled into a litany of tetchy moments throughout.
A deeply disappointing loss at Swansea City before today was perhaps a symptom of a team locked in mid-table mediocrity while Derby, just a point off the play-off zone, needed a win to fire their own momentum.
And there was early danger for the Bees with the aggressive Rams living up to their nickname. Martyn Waghorn tested Brentford keeper Luke Daniels with a low drive before Wilson punished the hosts with a superb strike in the 12th minute. The winger, on loan from Liverpool, fastened on to a Tom Lawrence pass on the edge of the penalty area before cracking a superb left foot shot into the corner of the net with Madds Bech Sorensen failing to close him down in time.
Fortunately for Bees’ boss Thomas Frank his side responded in the correct manner and, Jeanvier equalised in 22 minutes, albeit rather against the run of play. From Benrahma’s whipped corner, the big French defender flicked home impressively from six yards at the near post.
With so much at stake for Frank Lampard’s outfit, the first half was filled with spiky moments involving a number of ill-tempered Derby players in particular – and, subsequently, fine goals from both teams. Firstly, Jayden Bogle eluded Rico Henry and forged his way into the Brentford box before arrowing a shot across Daniels and into the far corner after 25 minutes – but just five minutes later the Bees hit back.
Romaine Sawyers, Benrahma, and Henry combined on a lightning fast break and Maupay was perfectly on track, sliding in to convert Rico’s low cross from the left at close range. In truth, the blizzard of goal action in the first period was a welcome contrast to the increased ill-feeling between the sides.
Derby substitute Ashley Cole was correctly booked after the break for diving in the Brentford penalty area by referee John Brooks as the frustrated visitors’ conduct became increasingly unsavoury.
The Bees had a spot kick shout when Rams’ keeper Kelle Roos appeared to trip Maupay after initially fumbling the ball. And Ollie Watkins dragged a shot wide from a good position. Yet despite the creativity of captain Sawyers, and the hunger of both Benrahma and Maupay, Frank’s men just couldn’t apply the necessary incision.
There was a let off for the hosts when Derby midfielder Mason Mount, hitherto quiet, crashed a snap shot off the post. Frank freshened things up by sending on Sergi Canos for Watkins but were punished in the counter-attack in 77 minutes. Wilson calmly despatched with a well placed clip past Daniels following an assist by Fikayo Tomori.
Finally, another equaliser for Brentford. Canos set up Benrahma, via a slip by Derby defender Richard Keogh, and the Algerian coolly drove home. It was quite the footnote of drama on an exciting, if brutally angry, afternoon.
