Brentford edge closer to playoff spot with win over Cardiff

Brentford F.C. 2-1 Cardiff City

Bryan Mbeumo was decisive as Brentford beat Cardiff City 2-1 to leapfrog the Bluebirds and move up to seventh in the Championship.

The 20-year-old scored the opener in the 25^th minute, following a great bit of individual skill and a clever pass from Saïd Benrahma.

The winger then turned provider as his cross was met by Ollie Watkins in the 46^th minute for Brentford to deservedly double their lead.

Cardiff got themselves back into the game after 64 minutes when Marlon Pack fired home powerfully from almost 25 yards, but Brentford managed to hold on for all three points.

https://twitter.com/BrentfordFC/status/1204879390074691584

The scoring was opened in the 25^th minute after excellent footwork from Benrahma afforded him the space to slip a clever ball through for Mbeumo who finished past Neil Etheridge in the Cardiff goal.

The Bees’ second goal came after Cardiff failed to properly clear a corner. Mbeumo eventually crossed for Ollie Watkins who headed home just one minute into the second half.

Cardiff got themselves back into the game when Marlon Pack drove home from distance after a clever free kick routine.

A dipping volley from Lee Tomlin saw Cardiff come close to pulling things level, with his effort forcing David Raya to tip over for a corner.

More chances came and went for Cardiff, but ultimately Brentford managed to hold onto their lead and claim a hard-fought win in front of the home faithful.

The Bluebirds have now dropped to eighth in the league while the Bees take their place in seventh as they continue their push for a playoff spot.

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After the game, Brentford manager Thomas Frank urged his players to remain as calm as possible in the future when holding onto a tight lead.

“I want us to be even more cool, play even more passes in the team. Don’t stress,” Frank said.

Ultimately, however, Frank was happy with the team’s determination to win: “I need to praise my players for really digging in. They really, really put their bodies on the line.

“Really showed what kind of team we’ve become. We can play beautiful football but at the end of the games we can also show that massive desire and will to defend.”

Neil Harris experienced his first defeat with Cardiff since succeeding Neil Warnock as manager last month.

“We have to look at why we’ve only won one away game this season and I think we saw in the first 60 minutes why. We have to be better than that,” He said.

“It’s not acceptable, I told the players they need to learn quickly, but the reaction for the last half-hour was outstanding.”