Brentford extend unbeaten run, Crystal Palace’s winless run with final touch

With the final touch of the game, Vitaly Janelt snatched a draw from the jaws of defeat as Brentford drew Crystal Palace 1-1 in a rough-and-tumble affair in west London on Saturday.

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The dramatic result leaves both sides where they began matchweek 24 — Brentford (34 points) still in 8th, and Crystal Palace (25 points) still in 12th.

It took nearly 70 minutes for someone to find a breakthrough goal, and Brentford will be kicking themselves for conceding a goal they have scored themselves countless times the last two seasons. Michael Olise’s cross came in from the right side, as Eberechi Eze made the late-arriving, unmarked run to the back post and guided the ball past David Raya.

Crystal Palace were mere seconds from escaping with all three points, when Bryan Mbeumo floated a cross to Janelt nearing the penalty and the German thumped a heavy header past Vicente Guaita with the game’s final act.

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Unbeaten, winless runs extended for Brentford, Palace

Patrick Vieira appeared despondent and bewildered on the touchline when the broadcast cut to him, as limbs were flung into the air all around him. One more headed clearance was all the Eagles needed to end their winless run at six games (now 0W-4D-3L) and climb up to 11th in the table, just three points off the top half.

On the flip side, Thomas Frank accounted for two of the celebratory limbs as Brentford extended their unbeaten run to 11 PL games (5W-6D-0L) amid an unlikely European push.

Stars of the show

Joachim Andersen: 15 clearances (7 with his head), 3 interceptions and 6 of 7 aerial duels won.

Mathias Jensen: Another Dane on the other side, with 4 chances created and another strong performance in the center of the park.

Photo: FotMob.com

What’s next?

Brentford will have next weekend off due to Manchester United’s participation in the League Cup final, postponing the Bees’ trip to Old Trafford temporarily. Palace, meanwhile, will host Liverpool at Selhurst Park.

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How to watch Brentford vs Crystal Palace live, stream link and start time

Kick off: 10am ET, Saturday
TV channel/online: Stream via Peacock Premium

Key storylines & star players

Brentford is so much more than Ivan Toney but also… Ivan Toney! It bears repeating that Toney is the closest thing the Premier League has to Harry Kane in terms of a total center forward.

Palace’s winless run in partially about the injured Wilfried Zaha, but it’s also about a team that has not been good in open play. Palace has good backs and attackers, but it’s best midfield in terms of producing offense severely hampers what it can do in defense. Injuries to backs haven’t helped and Joachim Andersen could join Chris Richards on the sidelines this week.

Brentford team news, injuries, lineup options

QUESTIONABLE: Pontus Jansson (thigh), Frank Onyeka (hamstring), Thomas Strakosha (ankle)

Crystal Palace team news, injuries, lineup options

OUT: Wilfried Zaha (hamstring), Nathan Ferguson (undisclosed) | QUESTIONABLE: Joachim Andersen (calf), Chris Richards (back), Joel Ward (calf), Will Hughes (knock)

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Brentford extend unbeaten run, Crystal Palace’s winless run with final touch originally appeared on NBCSports.com