LONDON, May 30: Brentford reached the Premier League for the first time by beating Swansea 2-0 in the Championship playoff final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
The west London club scored two early goals and held on against 10-man Swansea to join Norwich and Watford in promotion to the Premier League next season. Brentford hasn’t played in the top flight since 1947.
Championship record-scorer Ivan Toney calmly converted a penalty in the 10th minute after Swansea goalkeeper Freddie Woodman had brought down Bryan Mbeumo in the box.
The former Newcastle striker didn’t miss from the spot this season — 11-for-11 — and ended the campaign with 33 goals.
Mbeumo then led a counterattack 10 minutes later, making a long run and passing left to Mads Roerslev Rasmussen, who squared the ball for Emiliano Marcondes’ one-timer past Woodman into the bottom right corner of the net.
Swansea top scorer Andre Ayew threatened just after the break but sent a header wide from close range.
The Swans’ fate was all but sealed in the 65th when midfielder Jay Felton was sent off on a straight red card for a clumsy challenge.
Brentford lost to Fulham in last year’s playoff final last August. Swansea last played in the Premier League in the 2017-18 season.
Champion Norwich and runner-up Watford automatically booked their places in the top flight.
Weston London’s Brentford was founded in 1889 and have never competed in the English Premier League. The final win against Swansea sees the club compete in highest level for the first time since 1946–47 season. (AP)
