Brentford outlast Manchester United in thrilling 7-goal match: Key stats
What's the story
By beating Manchester United 4-3 in a thrilling encounter at the Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford have greatly enhanced their hopes of qualifying for European competition.
The victory takes Thomas Frank's Bees to the ninth position on the Premier League table, just a point behind Bournemouth with three matches to go.
Brentford went to half-time with a 2-1 lead. In the 2nd half, the Bees took a stunning 4-1 lead as United suffered.
Late goals from the visitors made things interesting.
Match highlights
Brentford capitalize on Manchester United's defensive blunder
Brentford capitalized on an early chance after a defensive error from Luke Shaw and goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.
Although Mason Mount scored for United, Brentford equalized when Mikkel Damsgaard's shot deflected off Shaw, then Bayindir, into the net.
The Bees took the lead within five minutes as Christian Norgaard found Kevin Schade who headed home, after a stoppage in play that United wanted due to Matthijs de Ligt's injury but referee Anthony Taylor allowed to continue.
Game analysis
Brentford's Schade shines in 2nd half
The second half witnessed Schade score again, heading in a cross from Bryan Mbeumo.
Michael Kayode then assisted Yoane Wissa to extend Brentford's lead to 4-1, with the goal confirmed after a VAR review.
Despite United's Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo scoring stunning goals to narrow the deficit, it wasn't enough to prevent Brentford from securing their third consecutive win.
Details
Match stats and points table
Brentford had six shots on target with the Red Devils managing 5 from 14 attempts.
Brentford's expected goals were 2.57 to United's tally of 1.50. In terms of touches in the opposition box, Brentford edged past United 27-23.
Ruben Amorim's men had 53% ball possession.
As mentioned, Brentford moved to 9th with 52 points and are above Brighton on basis of goal difference.
United are stationed at 15th with 39 points. It was their 16th defeat of the campaign.
United
Contrasting records for the two teams
United are winless in 6 successive Premier League games (L4 D`2) since a 3-0 win over Leicester City.
Since Ruben took charge of United in November, the Red Devils' 6 wins in the Premier League are the fourth lowest.
For the first time since October/November 2023, the Bees have won three successive Premier League matches.
Meanwhile, this was Brentford's 15th win of the season. It's their joint-best tally alongside 2022-23.
Duo
Garnacho is involved in 21 goals this season across competitions
Making his 91st Premier League appearance, Garnacho scored his 16th goal and made his 8th assist. In the ongoing season, he has six goals (A2).
Overall in all competitions this season, he has managed 10 assists and 11 goals.
Diallo, who made a return from injury in United's midweek Europa League affair, scored his 8th Premier League goal.
In the ongoing season, he has 7 goals and 6 assists.
Player stats
Key numbers of Eriksen, Mount and Ugarte
Christian Eriksen provided an assist for United's 2nd goal. He now owns 78 Premier League assists from 308 matches. Notably, this was his 2nd assist of the season.
Former Chelsea ace Mount scored his maiden goal of the season for United. Since joining the club, the injury-prone Mount has two goals in 42 appearances.
He now has 29 Premier League goals in total.
United's Manuel Ugarte assisted Amad for the 3rd goal. He registered his 2nd Premier League assist.
Do you know?
Schade races to 10 goals this season
Brentford's Schade has raced to 10 Premier League goals this season. He also owns 2 assists. Overall, he has 12 Premier League goals in 64 appearances.