Brentford 3 Bournemouth 1 (3-2 agg): Bees reach Championship play-off final after thrilling comeback vs 10-man Cherries

MARCUS FORSS fired Brentford to a Wembley play-off final for the second year running after a brilliant comeback win in West London.

The half-time sub had barely had a kick before he was in the right place at the right time to convert an Emiliano Marcondes cross from the left with 10 minutes left.

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Finnish striker Forss had only scored twice in his previous 32 games – but his goal yesterday means the Bees will be playing for a place in the Premier League next Saturday.

Everything was going so well for Bournemouth when Arnaut Danjuma fired them in front after just five minutes to give them a 2-0 aggregate lead.

But the Bees hit back with an Ivan Toney penalty on 16 minutes after Lloyd Kelly handled.

Chris Mepham was then sent off for pulling down Bryan Mbeumo and the 10 men Cherries were eventually overpowered after the break with goals from Vitaly Janelt and Forss.

The Bees – beaten by Fulham last year in the Championship showpiece – will hope its 10th time lucky, having failed to win promotion in nine previous play-off attempts.

Brentford have not played in the top flight since 1947 but they go into next weekend’s final as favourites.

The Bees were hyped up for this with boss Thomas Frank doing a lap before kick-off urging the fans to raise the noise levels.

But it all went flat as Bournemouth moved in front.

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Brentford did not leave a single player back while taking a corner and got caught on the break.

Danjuma picked up the loose ball in the centre circle and had a free run before shooting past David Raya.

It was criminal tactics from the Bees so early in the match and left them with a mountain to climb.

But suddenly Brentford were back in it when Emiliano Marcondes saw his cross handled by Lloyd Kelly as he tried to block and referee Jarred Gillett pointed to the spot.

It was a big call from the official and Ivan Toney made no mistake by levelling from the resulting penalty.

The Brentford striker and Asmir Begovic were both booked after having an altercation when the Cherries keeper held on to the ball to prevent the kick-off being taken quickly.

It was Toney’s 32nd goal of the season – and his 10th from the spot.

And Bournemouth were reduced to 10 men in the 28th minute.

Defender Mepham stumbled as he got dispossessed by Bryan Mbeumo and deliberately hauled him down with a rugby-style tackle as he was set to race clear on goal.

Boss Jonathan Woodgate immediately made a change by bringing on Diego Rico for David Brooks.

The Bees almost moved in front when Toney got clear of Kelly but shot wide with just the keeper to beat.

And Toney also headed tamely from a Sergi Canos cross when well placed.

Rico made a goal-saving clearance from under his own crossbar after Ethan Pinnock’s long throw was headed on by Henrik Dalsgaard with Begovic flapping.

Bournemouth were appealing for a penalty when Philip Billing’s header hit Pinnock’s arm – but ref Gillett waved away the protests.

Dalsgaard went for goal with an audacious free-kick from just inside the Bournemouth half – but Begovic was able to get back and hold the ball comfortably.

Brentford made a switch at the break – bringing on striker Forss for right-back Mads Roerslev.

And the Bees swiftly moved in front on the day and levelled the score on aggregate five minutes into the second half.

Ben Pearson was only able to half clear a cross and Vitaly Janelt let fly a brilliant 25-yard effort that took a deflection to beat Begovic.

Brentford were appealing for a penalty when Mbeumo appeared to be brought down by Cameron Carter-Vickers – with the ball eventually finding its way back to the Bees ace who shot wide.

Ref Gillett correctly turned down the Bees’ shouts.

Frank went even more attacking by throwing on Saman Ghoddos for Janelt.

Toney missed a sitter by his standards when he was found by a lovely cross from Mbeumo – but his volley cleared the bar.

The star striker then completely miscued his header when well placed.

Dalsgaard forced Begovic into a good save after curling an effort from the edge of the box.

Tariqe Fou came on for the last 12 minutes for Canos.

And the Bees moved in front in the tie with 10 minutes left.

Emiliano Marcondes whipped in a perfect cross from the left for Forss to fire home from close range.

Bournemouth – who had been time wasting from the moment they opener the scoring – suddenly found some urgency, throwing up even keeper Begovic as they searched for a leveller.

But the Bees held firm and Frank and his players celebrated with the fans as The Beatles’ classic Hey Jude rung out.

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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk