Bees buzzing after late derby turnaround stings Lions

Posted Sunday, October 20, 2019 by PA

Brentford scored three times in the last six minutes to overturn a two-goal deficit and snatch a rare derby success with a pulsating 3-2 win over Millwall.

The Lions roared into a two-goal lead as Tom Bradshaw and Jed Wallace scored either side of the break.

But the Bees staged a rousing fightback and Josh Dasilva gave them hope in the 84th minute before fellow substitute Bryan Mbeumo levelled and Ollie Watkins pounced for the winner deep into stoppage time.

It was a scoreline that never looked on the cards as the hosts lacked urgency until the thrilling finale, with Millwall resolute and well organised.

However, it could have been a different story had Watkins converted a 24th-minute penalty. Shaun Hutchinson dragged back Henrik Dalsgaard in the box and referee Stuart Atwell pointed to the spot.

An argument between Said Benrahma and Watkins over who should take the kick ended with the latter stepping up only for goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski to dive to his right and palm clear.

Watkins has now missed three of his last four penalties.

Brentford were dealt another blow just before the break when their only recognised centre forward Nikos Karelis was stretchered off after falling awkwardly.

Millwall took the lead on the stroke of half-time when Bradshaw tapped home from close range after Bees goalkeeper David Raya could only parry Jayson Molumby’s low drive into his path.

They stretched their advantage 10 minutes after the break when Wallace finished coolly from the penalty spot after Watkins hauled Hutchinson to the ground from a corner.

It was a sucker punch for Brentford, who dominated possession and created a string of clear-cut chances but lacked any real cutting edge.

That changed in dramatic fashion in the closing stages when Dasilva coolly passed the ball into the far corner of the net from the edge of the box to finally break Bialkowski’s stubborn resistance.

They were level four minutes later when Mbeumo chanced his arm with a speculative shot which took a deflection and looped over Bialkowski and into the far corner.

Brentford poured forward sensing a winner and the Millwall defence failed to deal with a Benrahma cross which was recycled and ended at the foot of top-scorer Watkins whose half-volley beat the keeper.

Seconds before the end the game threatened to boil over when Wallace flew in studs-up on David Raya, sparking a 14-man brawl. The striker escaped with a yellow card along with the Bees’ Julian Jeanvier.

Brentford moved up to 13th with the win, which leaves Millwalll still winless in their last 10 away league London derbies.