Brentford

Sean Kearns
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford kept their European hopes alive with a thrilling 4-3 win against Manchester United at the Gtech Community Stadium.

A Luke Shaw own goal, Kevin Schade brace and a late Yoanna Wissa effort gave the Bees a 4-1 lead.

United scored two late goals through Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo to ensure a nervy finish.

But the Bees hung on to make it three wins on the bounce.

The victory leaves Thomas Frank's side in ninth, one point behind eighth-placed Bournemouth.

Depending on results in the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup, an eighth-place finish could be enough to ensure European qualification.

"I thought we were very good today," said Frank.

"I thought we were in complete control until the 4-1 and then of course I'm a little bit irritated that we were sloppy.

"It's the third win in a row, and this week away at Nottingham Forest and at home to Manchester United where we got six points and both of them were fully deserved."

Image source, Getty Images

Thomas Frank spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Brentford's victory against Manchester United: "We add layers to the game, we almost had a little spell where we didn't score many at the start but now the amount of goals we score is crazy. we have three players on ten or more, that's exceptional."

On aiming for Europe football: I think we definitely have momentum. The last 13 we've had a really good run of games, there's a flow of playing well. We need to keep that up. The next one is the most important game and that's Ipswich away."

On the end to the season: "It's already a good season, let's see if it can be a good or incredible season."

Image source, Getty Images

Yoane Wissa has scored in four consecutive Premier League appearances for the very first time. He has 18 goals in the competition for Brentford in 2024-25 (level with Bryan Mbeumo), with only Ivan Toney in 2022-23 (20) ever netting more in a Premier League campaign for the Bees.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Brentford's performance

What did you make of United's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies.

Intro referencing day, competition and number of matches.

• Brentford v Manchester United

• Brighton v Newcastle - BBC Radio 5 Live

• West Ham v Tottenham

• Chelsea v Liverpool (16:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

We know Manchester United are going to make changes here, because seeing out the second leg of their Europa League semi-final with Athletic Bilbao is their priority.

Ruben Amorim's side nicked a point at the very end of their game at Bournemouth last weekend, which sparked mass celebrations, but I really don't see them doing the same against Brentford - they won't be getting the bunting out this time.

The Bees are such a dangerous team when they come forward and they will keep on attacking United. Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa should get plenty of chances and I can see them getting a goal or two between them.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League home game against Manchester United (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Frank has confirmed the players are "all fit" and said "it's all about recovery" after the win at Nottingham Forest. However, he insisted the Bees will be "ready to attack again".

• On the brilliance of Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo: "It's been a big privilege to be involved in their development and partnership. Biggest credit to the two players. The way they have developed so far, why not more? No-one knows what their ceiling is. It is my job to maximum the team's potential."

• Frank also highlighted the importance of the defence and not just the attack. He said it is a "key focus area" and they noticed "the improvement" that was needed to the defence at the start of the season.

• On Manchester United: "They are a team that is very structured. They defend very well and they know what they want to do, offensively and defensively. Also, their form in Europe shows their potential. It's Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they'll put a very competitive team out there."

• Frank refuted claims the Premier League has not been difficult this season and stated that it is "so competitive" and praised the division for not having a "top six", with more teams competing for the top spots.

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary of Brentford v Man Utd at 14:00 on Sunday

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts on Thursday's Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

Nottingham Forest fans:

Fosi: Yet another abysmal performance. No fight, no ion and no idea. Is our season over?

Freddy: Huge disappointment at the result. I'd hoped that bowing out of the FA Cup would galvanise the players, but the opposite seems to have happened. They looked tired and devoid of ideas. I just hope an easier run of games will get us over the line - Chelsea last game of the season seems huge now.

Ken: It's over I'm afraid. Those players are exhausted and have no more to give. It was like watching us two seasons ago. The very thing that has been our rock - defence - is falling apart at exactly the wrong time. Our failure to sign one or two strikers has well and truly scuppered us.

John: We're on a bad run at at a bad time. I don't care one way or the other about Europe, except that we've got some players I wouldn't want to lose to clubs who get there. We're good enough to put this right but we're running out of games.

Brentford fans:

Mel: Dare we dream about Europe? Yet another top performance against a top six team. Incredible team spirit and winning mentality continues to deliver exceptional performances. Our run in looks favourable when compared to others, and a result against Manchester United keeps a European dream alive.

Tim: The Bees showing their teeth and battling for the points was a pleasant surprise. Michael Kayode blunted Forest's game plan by matching them for pace. Great to see Kevin Schade poke that ball home, the guy needs a bit of confidence to bring out his best.

David: Brentford controlled the game and executed their chances with confidence and precision. The travelling fans must have been planning their European tour on the way home. Another masterclass from Thomas Frank.

Josh: We are making a last minute surge for Europe. We couldn't do it could we? Don't stop believing!

Newcastle are interested in Brentford and Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo, 25, but are concerned by his £60m price tag. (Telegraph - subscription required, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Bobbie Jackson
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

After a 12-day break, Brentford must have been itching to get back on a pitch and attempt to boost their hopes of securing a European berth.

As soon as the whistle blew at the City Ground, the Bees were up and at it - taking the game to Nottingham Forest and searching for the perfect start.

They almost got their reward after 17 minutes when Sepp van den Berg's header was palmed away by Matz Sels.

Brentford continued to push and finally got their noses in front on the stroke of half-time with Kevin Schade evading his marker and prodding in from close range.

Thomas Frank's side did have to weather a storm early in the second period - it wasn't just the torrential rain - as Forest came out with a spring in their step.

However, Anthony Elanga was the only player to seriously call Mark Flekken into action, with the goalkeeper getting down to his left and tipping a curling shot wide.

Flekken went on to have an impact in the decisive goal with his long ball teeing up Yoane Wissa, who chipped beyond a despairing Sels.

Despite picking up the win, Brentford remain 11th but they are just two points adrift of eighth-placed Fulham after extending their unbeaten run to four games for the first time this season.

Brentford have never finished higher than ninth in the Premier League and could sur that achievement as they push for Europe.

Image source, Getty Images

Thomas Frank spoke to BBC Match of the Day after beating Nottingham Forest at the City Ground: "It was a good away performance. Very solid. I think it is a big strength that we go to a difficult place against a team who have been fantastic all season.

"It was only seven out of 10 in my opinion. We were very strong defensively and gave little away. We should have kept the ball better in the second half. Credit to the boys.

"We had more possession and we went 1-0 up, then 2-0. Naturally they pressed us more. We knew the counters, we had to be very good and close down those situations. We needed to be good enough to play behind them.

"I think everything is possible. There are four games left. We'll try our best to win them."

Did you know?

• Brentford have won six of their past eight Premier League away games) as many as in their previous 30 on the road beforehand. The Bees have more away points in the competition in 2025 than any other side (19).

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford's Nathan Collins spoke to Sky Sports after setting up Kevin Schade's opening goal in the 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest: "We want an exceptional season. We are not happy sitting around and floating about. We want to do something.

"We're lucky with the quality that we have upfront. They can take it to feet or go in behind and teams can't deal with these guys."

On the clean sheet: "Massive. Something that we can build on. To come here and keep a clean sheet against this team - they have been unbelievable this season.

"We need to keep doing it and we need to keep going."

On Brentford's European hopes: "Fans today come up on a Thursday - unbelievable. They were class and they got the reward from us.

"Four cup finals to go and we start on Sunday - it is a big match."

Did you know?

• Mark Flekken's assist for Yoane Wissa's goal for Brentford was the ninth time a goalkeeper has assisted a Premier League goal in 2024-25, the most in a single season in the competition.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Nottingham Forest's performance

What did you make of Brentford's display?

Come back to this page on Friday to find a selection of your replies

This is a tough game for Nottingham Forest to bounce back in after the disappointment of losing their FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.

Forest did play well in the second-half against Manchester City, but the challenge for them here is to reach that level again. They need a win for their top-five hopes, and they will have to play well to get it.

Brentford are always dangerous and their form has picked up over the past couple of weeks, but as a boyhood Forest fan I am going with my heart over my head with this one.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Make your own prediction here, external

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford have the highest shot conversion rate of any side in the Premier League this season (14.8%).

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Premier League game at Nottingham Forest (kick-off 19:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news: "Everyone is available from the last game. Aaron Hickey and Igor Thiago are both training fully with the team now, for the past two training sessions, which is positive. They're not ready for Nottingham Forest - but it's positive."

• Frank agreed that the "timing was right" for Vitaly Janelt to have heel surgery, adding: "He's a key player, a key character and and hopefully it will get him back early next season."

• On the race for Europe: "It's close, it's tight. There are three teams ahead of us right now, so we need to have the perfect run-in. If that means [we qualify for] Europe, that would be fantastic."

• Even with Europe in their sights, Frank says a second top-half finish would be a "remarkable achievement".

• On Nottingham Forest: "We have a very difficult game against Nottingham Forest on Thursday night, Nuno [Espirito Santo] and his players have done a remarkable job. They play a style of football that is very difficult to play against and is proving to be very efficient."

Follow the rest of the day's football news

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford midfielder Vitaly Janelt will miss the rest of the campaign after an operation on a heel injury.

A statement on the club's website said it is a problem that has been "carefully managed throughout the season".

No specific timeframe has been put on a return for Janelt - who has featured in all but one Premier League game so far - with the Bees saying he has "the aim of returning to full fitness early next term".

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Premier League game against Brentford (kick-off 19:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Ola Aina could return to the squad but will undergo "one more day of assessment" before a decision is made on his fitness.

• On the mood after Sunday's FA Cup semi-final defeat: "The disappointment is the same as losing a game in the Premier League, but we must now react. It is just like in life, you grieve and then you react. If you fall down then you get back up and go again."

• An "emotional" Nuno thanked Forest fans for their at Wembley adding that "the red sea was something special for all of us" and that the players "need them [the fans] now more than ever".

• He said that his side would "never stop believing" that they will qualify for the Champions League but it is now up to them "to perform".

• On opponents Brentford: "They are a very good team who have challenged well. They are good from set pieces and play nice football so we will have to be at our best."

• On the match: "All the games will be important in this fight and we have one game more. We are back at the City Ground in-front of our own fans and that is a big help."

Follow the rest of the day's football news