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      Barnsley 0 Swansea 1 LIVE REACTION: Ayew curler seals vital win in Championship play-off first leg – latest updates

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      SWANSEA beat Barnsley 1-0 at Oakwell thanks to Andre Ayew’s curled effort in the first half of their Championship play-off clash.
      RESULT: Barnsley 0-1 Swansea
      Barnsley XI: Collins, Brittain, Sibbick, Helik, Andersen, Styles, Mowatt, Palmer, Dike, Frieser, Woodrow
      Swansea XI: Woodman, Naughton, Cabango, Guehi, Bidwell, Fulton, Grimes, Hourihane, Ayew, Lowe, Cullen

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      THAT’S ALL FOR TONIGHT!
      Swansea have the advantage from the first leg but Barnsley aren’t out of this yet. 
      Andre Ayew will take the headlines for his superb match-winning strike, but the Swans were indebted to several fine saves by Freddy Woodman.
      See you at the Liberty for the second leg on Saturday!
      SWANS REACTION
      Swansea boss Steve Cooper said: “It was a good effort from the boys. We knew the game would be a certain type. We managed to show some bits of quality, the goal being the obvious one. I can’t wait to get back to our place on Saturday.
      “It was fine margins really, but I was really pleased with the resilience of the lads and the effort they had.
      “We’ve been here before and the final whistle in the next game is the most important one.
      “Andre’s a brilliant lad and a really good player. He came up with a bit of magic but it’s only half-time.”
      MARVELLOUS MARC
      After his side’s victory, Swansea defender Marc Guehi told Sky Sports: “It’s a massive performance. We knew how tough it was going to be. I love defending but it starts from the front.
      “I was a fantastic finish from Andre Ayew. He’s done that all season for us.”

      FREDDY FOILS TYKES
      Here’s that save from Freddy Woodman that kept his side in front. He’s now kept 22 clean sheets this season. Some going.
      Big chance! Barnsley right on the front foot at the start of the second half. Watch Barnsley vs Swansea live on Sky Sports 📺 pic.twitter.com/KOR6uFb5pf— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 17, 2021

      FT: Barnsley 0-1 Swansea
      It’s advantage Swansea ahead of the return leg at the Liberty on Saturday. They have Andre Ayew to thank for a brilliant first-half strike, but Freddy Woodman was also outstanding in a frantic second period to keep Barnsley at bay. It’s still all to play for, as the saying goes, but Swansea have the edge.

      PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!THE FINAL WHISTLE GOES!
      Barnsley 0-1 Swansea
      90+2. How has that stayed out? Morris’ flick from a corner comes back off the crossbar.
      Barnsley 0-1 Swansea
      90. There will be three added minutes. Can Barnsley snatch a draw?
      Barnsley 0-1 Swansea
      88. Victor Adeboyejo comes on for Dike. It’s been a disappointing night for the American who was playing in front of the Barnsley fans for the first time.
      Barnsley 0-1 Swansea
      Ayew tries a repeat of his opener but this time Andersen makes the block. Grimes then has a go from range but Collins – eventually – claims the ball.
      Barnsley 0-1 Swansea
      78. Second change for Barnsley as Jordan Williams replaces Romal Palmer. Swansea look happy to see this one out.
      Barnsley 0-1 Swansea
      74. Woodrow is adamant he was fouled by Naughton just outside the box. Replays show the Swansea man got the ball.
      Barnsley 0-1 Swansea
      70. Mowatt almost gets in behind the Swansea defence but Woodman races off his line to clear the danger. At the other end, Lowe engineers a half-chance for himself but shoots high and wide.
      Barnsley 0-1 Swansea
      69. Substitution for Swansea. Wayne Routledge, now 36, replaces Liam Cullen as the Swans add a bit of experience to their XI.
      Barnsley 0-1 Swansea
      67. Hourihane’s free-kick from the left almost catches out Collins but the keeper manages to claw the ball away from under the crossbar. Pretty sure Hourihane didn’t mean that.
      Barnsley 0-1 Swansea
      64. Barnsley break from a Swansea corner. It’s three-v-two but Dike overcooks his cross and the danger passes. That was a real opportunity to do some damage.
      Barnsley 0-1 Swansea
      60. Mowatt and Fulton engage in a touch of pushing and shoving as Barnsley look to take a free-kick. The referee steps in to cool things down. Things have calmed down on the football front too after that crazy start to the second half.
      Barnsley 0-1 Swansea
      54. Guehi hauls back Dike on the halfway line but escapes a booking. Valerien Ismael is fuming.
      Barnsley 0-1 Swansea
      53. Woodrow’s free-kick bounces just in front of Woodman but he manages to hold onto the ball at the second attempt. 
      Barnsley 0-1 Swansea
      52. Yellow card. Ayew goes into the book for fouling Morris just outside the box. Free-kick in a good position for the Tykes. This second half has started at a million miles an hour.
      Barnsley 0-1 Swansea
      50. This is better from Barnsley. Mowatt’s 25-yard strike is deflected wide by Bidwell. The resulting corner is met by Dike but he heads wide. Should have done better.
      Barnsley 0-1 Swansea
      48. What a save by Woodman. He fumbles Morris’ shot before leaping to his feet to deny Brittain from close range. Brilliant stop.
      Barnsley 0-1 Swansea
      47. As expected, Barnsley start the second half on the front foot. Brittain scampers to reach a pass but his cross from the byline goes into the side-netting.
      PEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!OFF WE GO AGAIN!
      46. There’s a change by Barnsley for the start of the second half. Carlton Morris is on for Dominik Frieser. Morris has scored five goals off the bench this season. He’d love to make that six but Barnsley will need to ask more questions of Steve Cooper’s side.
      PEEEEEEEEP!!!!!!!
      HT: Barnsley 0-1 Swansea
      Andre Ayew’s wonderful strike for the visitors has lit up a somewhat scrappy affair. Barnsley need to improve after the break. Woodman hasn’t really been tested in the Swansea goal.

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      Barnsley 0 Swansea 1: Andre Ayew fires visitors to victory in first leg of Championship play-off battle

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      ANDRE AYEW showed why he gets paid the big bucks by firing a brilliant winner for Swansea.Steve Cooper’s men were under the cosh at Oakwell and had failed to land so much as a glove on Barnsley for much of the first half.
      Swansea are 90 minutes away from the Championship play-off final after beating BarnsleyCredit: Rex
      Andre Ayew scored the only goal of the game as the visitors took controlCredit: Getty
      But in Ayew the Swans have a real heavyweight champ in the final third and he knows how to land a knockout blow.
      Picking up a pass from Kyle Naughton at the edge of the box six minutes before the break, the Ghana striker stepped inside Michael Helik and Mads Andersen before thumping an unstoppable shot past Bradley Collins.
      Ayew is on around £85,000-a-week at the Liberty but his 16 league goals in the regular season – plus last night’s effort – could go a long way to landing the Swans a £200MILLION jackpot if they get promoted.
      But the Swans were also indebted to yet more brilliant goalkeeping from on-loan Newcastle ace Freddie Woodman, who made a top drawer double save to deny Barnsley a certain leveller after the break.
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      First he did well to parry half-time Barnsley sub Carlton Morris’ piledriver and reacted superbly to somehow deny Callum Brittain’s follow-up from just six yards out.
      Barnsley had the lion’s share of the game in the first half.
      Dominik Frieser had appealed for an early penalty after he went down under a challenge from Marc Guehi – but ref Geoff Eltringham waved away his protests.
      But, from a resulting throw-in, Romal Palmer had an early sighter on goal for the Tykes on the edge of the box but he lifted his effort over.
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      A bruising game saw both sides battle for dominationCredit: Reuters
      Jay Fulton and Alex Mowatt clashed during a feisty encounterCredit: Reuters

      Barnsley were bombarding the Swansea defence with long balls with big and powerful Daryl Dike looking menacing.
      On one occasion, Dike bulldozed Ben Cabango but the ball ran out for a goal-kick.
      But when they eventually did, hearts were in mouths.
      Liam Cullen cut back a super ball for Ayew and the big Ghana striker went down under a challenge from Callum Styles. Again, the referee waved away the protests.
      But then Ayew found the net with one piece of brilliance.
      The Tykes sould have levelled before the break when Romal Palmer sent in a great cross but Helik headed straight at Freddie Woodman.
      Valerien Ismael put on a passionate display on the sidelinesCredit: Getty
      Steve Cooper’s side had the final say ahead of the second leg in WalesCredit: Getty
      After a whirlwind start to the second half – which also saw Barnsley outnumber Swansea on the break but Dike overhit his pass – the Swans almost added a second.
      Conor Houriane’s whipped a free-kick into the box from the left and the ball was going directly in but somehow Collins got enough of a hand on the ball to keep it out.
      Woodman then brilliantly raced out to clear 25 yards from his own goal with Morris springing the offside trap from Dike’s pass.
      Jamal Lowe should have wrapped the game up but blazed over and Matt Grimes saw a thumping 30-yarder blocked by Collins.
      But incredibly Morris almost levelled at the death but his flick on was superbly saved by Woodman.
      Swansea legend Dai Davies looks back on his football career More

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      Bournemouth 1 Brentford 0 LIVE REACTION: Danjuma goal ensures Cherries strike first in play-off battle – latest updates

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      BOURNEMOUTH took advantage of their Championship play-off semi-final home leg with Brentford with a 1-0 win over the Bees on the south coast.The game was a tight affair but it was the Cherries’ Arnaut Danjuma who slotted home in the second half to provide Bournemouth with the vital victory.

      RESULT: Bournemouth 1 Brentford 0
      Bournemouth XI: Begovic, Cook, Kelly, Brooks, Lerma, Solanke, Danjuma, Smith, Carter-Vickers, Pearson, Billing
      Brentford XI: Raya, Jansson, Norgaard, Pinnock, Roerslev, Janet, Jensen, Canos, Fosu, Forss, Toney

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      THAT’s ALL FROM ME
      Bournemouth are heading to London on Saturday and they’ll try to either hold onto their one-goal lead OR add to it.
      But elsewhere in the Championship play-off semis, Barnsley is taking on Swansea.
      And luckily for you, we’re covering it here at SunSport!
      Barnsley vs Swansea Live Blog
      Have a good one!
      BOURNE AGAIN
      BOURNEMOUTH are 90 minutes from Wembley after a dominant display over Brentford in their play-off semi-final first leg.
      Arnaut Danjuma grabbed the winner in the 55th minute but the Cherries wasted several chances to kill off the Bees in front of 2,000 fans on the South Coast.
      Instead, they still have a job to do in West London at the weekend to move one step closer to an instant Premier League return.
      Brentford know all about coming from behind in play-off semis after doing so last year against Swansea before eventually losing in the final to Fulham.
      Read More: Bournemouth 1 Brentford 0 Match Report
      MATCH WINNER
      Match winner Danjuma gives his reaction in Twitter!

      ‘NICE TO SEE SOME OF YOU BACK’
      Solanke enjoyed playing in front of some fans again!
      Half way there. Nice to see some of you back in the stadium today🙌🏾🍒.— Dom Solanke (@DomSolanke) May 17, 2021

      FULL-TIME STATS
      Bournemouth command a one-goal lead heading into the second leg!

      FT: BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BRENTFORD
      Bournemouth have a one-goal lead heading into Saturday’s second leg thanks to star man Danjuma.
      The entertaining winger finished off a clinical counter attack to hand the Cherries the lead.
      Brentford boss Frank made changes, hoping to shock his team into life.
      And the chance to equalise came after Norgaard was picked out in behind Bournemouth’s backline by Jensen.
      Norgaard put the ball on a plate for an un-marked Mbuemo at the back post.
      But the Frenchman somehow missed the target.
      PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
      THE FULL-TIME WHISTLE GOES AT THE VITALITY STADIUM!
      BOURNEMOUTH COMMAND A ONE-GOAL LEAD HEADING INTO THE SECOND LEG!
      BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BRENTFORD
      90+4. CHANCE!
      Raya’s clearance hits off Stacey and falls to Billing 35 yards from goal.
      The midfielder takes the shot on with Raya out of position, but the keeper manages to recover and catch Billing’s effort.
      BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BRENTFORD
      90+3. Solanke wins Bournemouth a corner late on.
      BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BRENTFORD
      90+2. Danjuma runs at Pinnock and tries to beat the defender by knocking the ball down the line.
      But Pinnock does well to get his body in front of the ball and seal the dangerous Bournemouth attacker out.
      BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BRENTFORD
      90. The fourth official holds his board up and there will be a minimum of five additional minutes.
      Brentford need to go for it!
      BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BRENTFORD
      88. Ghoddos brings down Wilshere on the halfway line, and the referee blows his whistle for a Bournemouth free-kick.
      The Brentford midfielder tries to plead his innocence, but the referees decision stands.
      BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BRENTFORD
      86. Canos gets down the line and floats a cross into Bournemouth’s penalty area for Toney to attack.
      Mepham heads clear for the home side, but the ball falls to Norgaard on the edge of the box.
      Brentford’s No6 shoots but his effort doesn’t trouble Begovic and the ball goes over the crossbar for a goal-kick.
      BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BRENTFORD
      85. SUBSTITUTION!
      Jensen makes way for Ghoddos.
      BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BRENTFORD
      85. Toney gets his head on the ball and heads the danger clear for Brentford.
      BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BRENTFORD
      84. SAVE!
      Danjuma shoots and Raya saves! Bournemouth corner.
      BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BRENTFORD
      83. Solanke is caught on the edge of the penalty area by Jensen and Bournemouth have a free-kick in a dangerous area.
      BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BRENTFORD
      81. Solanke does well to hold the ball up close to the touchline, before lifting the ball down the line for Stacey to run onto.
      Stacey travels down the line and tries to stick a cross into the penalty area.
      But his cross takes a wicked deflection and goes behind the goal for a Bournemouth corner.
      BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BRENTFORD
      79. SUBSTITUTION!
      Brooks makes way for Wilshere.
      BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BRENTFORD
      77. MASSIVE CHANCE MISSED!
      Jensen picks out Norgaard who has made a wonderful run in behind Bournemouth’s backline.
      The defender pulls the ball across the face of goal first-time, and finds Mbuemo at the far post unmarked.
      But Mbuemo sends a shot agonisingly wide of the post! HOW HAS HE MISSED?!
      BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BRENTFORD
      76. Jensen clips the ball forward to Marcondes on the edge of Bournemouth’s penalty area.
      But the forward is penalised for Mepham losing his footing!
      Begovic fails to collect the ball first time of askingCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      But the experienced keeper pounced on the loose ball shortly afterCredit: GETTY IMAGES
      BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BRENTFORD
      74. Henry cuts inside and then back out wide of Smith to beat the right-back to the byline.
      The left-back runs out of grass and tries to squeeze a cross in at the near post.
      But his cross hits the side netting and Bournemouth have a goal-kick.
      BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BRENTFORD
      72. SUBSTITUTION!
      The experienced Dalsgaard is on for Janelt who has had a horrible night in the heart of the midfield.
      BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BRENTFORD
      70. SUBSTITUTION!
      Pearson slowly leaves the pitch, and it looks like Bournemouth will be forced into another change.
      Stacey comes on for the Cherries.
      Oh, and take a look at Danjuma’s goal which rounded off a clinical Bournemouth counter attack!
      GOAL! Bournemouth have the advantage in this play-off semi-final!Watch Bournemouth vs Brentford live on Sky Sports 📺 pic.twitter.com/NdoHCGezVn— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 17, 2021

      BOURNEMOUTH 1-0 BRENTFORD
      68. Brentford’s changes – Mbuemo, Marcondes and Henry – seems to have changed the tide.
      The visitors are starting to get on the ball and work the channels well inside Bournemouth’s half.
      Pearson is down for Bournemouth, Woodgate will be hoping he can continue.
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      Bournemouth 1 Brentford 0: First bite to the Cherries as Arnaut Danjuma strike gives Woodgate’s men play-off advantage

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      BOURNEMOUTH are 90 minutes from Wembley after a dominant display over Brentford in their play-off semi-final first leg.Arnaut Danjuma grabbed the winner in the 55th minute but the Cherries wasted several chances to kill off the Bees in front of 2,000 fans on the South Coast.
      Arnaut Danjuma’s goal saw Bournemouth put one foot in the Championship play-off finalCredit: Getty
      The winger scored the only goal of the game as the Cherries beat Brentford 1-0Credit: Getty
      Instead, they still have a job to do in West London at the weekend to move one step closer to an instant Premier League return.
      Brentford know all about coming from behind in play-off semis after doing so last year against Swansea before eventually losing in the final to Fulham.
      But Thomas Frank’s men will be left battered, bruised and bereft of confidence after failing to lay a finger on Jonathan Woodgate’s Bournemouth.
      Brentford came into this semi on a 12-game unbeaten run and winning their last three games of the season – while the hosts had lost their last three.
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      But it was Bournemouth – in front of home fans for the first time this season – who came out the blocks quickest as Lloyd Kelly’s whipped balls into the box in behind Brentford’s wing-backs proved dangerous.
      David Brooks’ perfectly weighted pass for Adam Smith down the right then saw Philip Billing slice a cut-back wide.
      Another Kelly cross then found the head of Dominic Solanke at the near post only for the ball to thump the side-netting.
      Fifteen-goal Solanke looked far more likely to score than record-breaking 31-goal star Ivan Toney – who had failed to net against Bournemouth in their two league encounters this campaign.
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      Bryan Mbeumo blew a crucial chance to nab an equaliser for BrentfordCredit: Getty
      The Frenchman sent his effort wide despite having an empty goal to aim atCredit: PA

      Toney was starved of space and ball and was forced to drop deep – but could not account for his team-mates giving the opposition a helping hand.
      Tarique Fosu-Henry’s slip sparked a speedy counter from Solanke, only for the ex-Chelsea and Liverpool striker to waste the breakaway with a poor pass.
      Skipper Steve Cook then forced David Raya into a diving save with a header before Toney did his job at the back with a crucial block to deny Brooks tapping in the rebound.
      That proved to be Cook’s last significant action as he limped off with a knee injury, while Toney had as many blocks as shots on goal heading into the break.
      And his frustrations grew nine 10 minutes into the second half as a loose ball from out-of-position Pontus Jansson allowed Bournemouth to counter again – this time with an end result.
      Bournemouth suffered two injury blows with Steve Cook and Ben Pearson limping offCredit: Getty
      Danjuma was the star of the show with Bournemouth looking for an immediate return to the top flightCredit: Getty
      Brooks drove from the half way line and had Billing, Solanke and Danjuma ashead of him, choosing to slide in the later as he curled into the bottom corner.
      Frank reacted by making a triple change of Bryan Mbeumo, Emiliano Marcondes and Rico Henry – but the visitors’ attack remained blunt.
      Their biggest chance was the best of the whole game in the 76th minute – Mbeumo somehow shanking wide in front of an open goal after Christian Norgaard’s cross.
      Danjuma almost doubled his tally with a late free-kick but was well saved by Raya.
      A decade on from their last experience of the play-offs, and the Cherries have the sweet taste of the promised land on their tongues once more.
      Bournemouth star Arnaut Danjuma scores slick goals in training with his quick moves More

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      Bournemouth vs Brentford LIVE: Stream, TV channel, team news as Bees unchanged, Toney in starting XI – latest updates

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      BOURNEMOUTH are looking to come straight back up to the Premier League but face a tough Brentford side in their Championship play-off semi-final.The first leg gets underway this evening from the Vitality Stadium on the south coast.

      Start time: 6pm GMT
      TV/Live stream: Sky Sports Main Event
      Bournemouth XI: Begovic, Cook, Kelly, Brooks, Lerma, Solanke, Danjuma, Smith, Carter-Vickers, Pearson, Billing
      Brentford XI: Raya, Jansson, Norgaard, Pinnock, Roerslev, Janet, Jensen, Canos, Fosu, Forss, Toney

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      What date is Bournemouth vs Brentford and what time is kick-off?

      Bournemouth take on Brentford on Monday, May 17.
      The Championship play-off semi-final first leg kicks off at 6pm.
      The two sides take to the field at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth.

      What TV channel is the match on and can I live stream it?
      Bournemouth vs Brentford is being broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event.
      Coverage starts at 5.30pm and the Barnsley vs Swansea match is being aired on the same channel straight afterwards.
      You can live stream the match on Now TV – via smart TV or the Now TV app.
      A Now TV day membership costs £9.99, with a monthly cost at £33.99.
      CHERRIES’ BENCH
      Travers, Stacey, Mepham, Rico, Wilshere, Riquelme, Anthony, Long, Surridge.
      BOURNEMOUTH XI
      1 Begovic, 3 Cook (c), 5 Kelly, 7 Brooks, 8 Lerma, 9 Solanke, 10 Danjuma, 15 Smith, 18 Carter-Vickers, 22 Pearson, 29 Billing.
      📝 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 📝 🔺 Cook captains the side 🔺 Solanke leads the line 🔺 Danjuma and Brooks wide Here’s how we line-up for this evening’s play-off semi-final against Brentford 👊Let’s go, lads!! 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/8Qrv6XNCFr— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) May 17, 2021

      THE TEAMSHEETS ARE IN!
      TENTH ATTEMPT
      Brentford are featuring in their 10th attempt at the Football League play-offs, and second in as many seasons in the Championship, with only Preston featuring in as many campaigns (also 10).
      However, the Bees have never been promoted via the play-offs, with their previous nine attempts the most without winning promotion in the history of the Football League play-offs.
      FANS ARE BACK
      2,300 fans will be allowed inside the Vitality Stadium tonight!
      BACK-TO-BACK
      Brentford made it to the Championship play-off final last season, but lost to Fulham.
      Frank’s teams’ failure to get promoted saw standout players Said Benrahma move to West Ham and Ollie Watkins to Aston Villa.
      But this time, he’ll be hoping his team can go all the way and finally find themselves in the top flight.
      And with record breaker Ivan Toney at his disposal, anything is possible!

      DANJUMA SPEAKS
      Bournemouth ace Arnaut Danjuma dissected the season ahead of tonight’s play-off semi-final in an interview with afcb.co.uk.
      The 24-year-old played a massive role in Bournemouth’s success, scoring 15 goals and providing seven assists earning himself a place in the Championship’s team of the season.
      He said: “Looking back, I think we have been through a lot of highs and lows.
      “I was a little disappointed we dropped back to finish sixth after we had already secured a play-off place and Brentford will be a tough team to beat.
      “We have quality and determination and there is a lot of talent in the group. We’ve been performing well recently, although not so well in the past three games so there is still a bit to improve on.
      “We were well below our standards in those three games but there were also a lot of games where we put in good performances, especially against the top six.
      “We did the double over the champions Norwich and took four points off Watford and Swansea. We won 4-0 at Barnsley and Brentford were the only team in the top six to beat us twice.
      “Over the course of the season, we performed well against most of the higher-placed teams and struggled against some of the teams in the lower half.
      “Overall, I’m happy we’re in the play-offs. That was our goal once we knew we couldn’t win the title or finish second and our aim now is to win the play-offs and return to the Premier League.”
      FINAL FOUR
      This will be Bournemouth’s third Football League play-off campaign, winning the fourth-tier play-off final in 2002-03 against Lincoln but going out in the semi-finals in the 2010-11 League One play-offs against Huddersfield Town on penalties after a 4-4 aggregate draw.
      Credit: GETTY IMAGES
      HEAD-TO-HEAD
      Bournemouth lost both of their Championship matches against Brentford this season, with the Bees one of only two teams to complete the league double over the Cherries in 2020-21, along with relegated Sheffield Wednesday.
      In their 1-0 home defeat to Brentford in April, Bournemouth managed just four shots, their fewest in a home league game all season despite playing the last 40 minutes with an extra man after Bees’ Pontus Jansson was sent off.
      GOOD AFTERNOON
      And welcome to the live blog for Bournemouth vs Brentford!
      Bournemouth host Brentford at the Vitality Stadium in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.
      And Jonathan Woodgate’s side are looking to return to the Premier League on the first time of asking.
      Brentford, on the other hand, are looking to get promoted to the top division for the first time, whilst righting the wrongs of last season’s play-off final upset at the hands of Fulham.
      The home side, however, are coming into tonight’s game off the back of three successive defeats.
      Whereas Brentford, are unbeaten in 12 Championship games.
      In terms of team news, Junior Stanislas could be passed fit for tonight’s game.
      Jack Wilshere could also come into the side, bolstering Woodgate’s midfield.
      And for Brentford, boss Thomas Frank has several first-team players missing.
      Henrik Dalsgaard, Rico Henry and midfielder Josh Dasilva will all miss out through injury.
      And Frenchman Mbuemo could come back into the starting line-up, replacing Sergi Canos.
      The teamsheets are due to be released in half an hour, so don’t go anywhere!
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      Barnsley vs Swansea: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time, team news for Championship play-off semi-final

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      BARNSLEY and Swansea go head to head in the Championship play-off semi-finals with the two sides scraping to get back into the Premier League.The Tykes have not played top flight football since their one-season stint in the top flight in 1997-98.
      Swansea grabbed a 2-0 win at Oakwell back in JanuaryCredit: Getty
      And the Swans are looking to get back into the Prem after being relegated three years ago.
      The South Wales side grabbed a 2-0 win at Oakwell back in January – but will history repeat itself for Steve Cooper’s side?
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      What date is Barnsley vs Swansea and what time does it kick off?

      The Championship play-off semi-final first leg tie takes place on Monday, May 17.
      Kick-off is at 8.15pm.
      The match is taking place at Oakwell.

      What TV channel is the match on and can I live stream it?
      Barnsley vs Swansea is being broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event.
      Coverage begins at 8pm, straight after the other Championship play-off semi-final first leg between Bournemouth and Brentford.
      You can live stream the match on Now TV – via smart TV or the Now TV app.
      A Now TV day membership costs £9.99, with a monthly cost at £33.99.

      What is the team news?
      Barnsley will be without Herbie Kane and Benjamin Williams who are both injured.
      The same applies to the Swans, who are without forward Jordan Morris, as well as keeper Steven Benda. More

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      Barnsley vs Swansea: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for Championship play-off semi-final

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      BARNSLEY and Swansea go head to head in the Championship play-off semi-finals with the two sides scraping to get back into the Premier League.The Tykes have not played top flight football since their one-season stint in the top flight in 1997-98.
      Swansea grabbed a 2-0 win at Oakwell back in JanuaryCredit: Getty
      And the Swans are looking to get back into the Prem after being relegated three years ago.
      The South Wales side grabbed a 2-0 win at Oakwell back in January – but will history repeat itself for Steve Cooper’s side?
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      What date is Barnsley vs Swansea and what time does it kick off?

      The Championship play-off semi-final first leg tie takes place on Monday, May 17.
      Kick-off is at 8.15pm.
      The match is taking place at Oakwell.

      What TV channel is the match on and can I live stream it?
      Barnsley vs Swansea is being broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event.
      Coverage begins at 8pm, straight after the other Championship play-off semi-final first leg between Bournemouth and Brentford.
      You can live stream the match on Now TV – via smart TV or the Now TV app.
      A Now TV day membership costs £9.99, with a monthly cost at £33.99.

      What is the team news?
      Barnsley will be without Herbie Kane and Benjamin Williams who are both injured.
      The same applies to the Swans, who are without forward Jordan Morris, as well as keeper Steven Benda. More

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      Bournemouth vs Brentford: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for Championship play-off semi-final

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      THE Championship season reaches its most intriguing twist as Bournemouth take on Brentford in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals.After an up-and-down start to the season, the Cherries reached the top six and face the Bees who only just missed out on an automatic promotion spot.
      Brentford won 1-0 at Bournemouth in April despite being down to 10 menCredit: Rex
      And one of these two teams will face either Swansea or Barnsley in the Wembley final on May 29.
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      What date is Bournemouth vs Brentford and what time is kick-off?

      Bournemouth take on Brentford on Monday, May 17.
      The Championship play-off semi-final first leg kicks off at 6pm.
      The two sides take to the field at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth.

      What TV channel is the match on and can I live stream it?
      Bournemouth vs Brentford is being broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event.
      Coverage starts at 5.30pm and the Barnsley vs Swansea match is being aired on the same channel straight afterwards.
      You can live stream the match on Now TV – via smart TV or the Now TV app.
      A Now TV day membership costs £9.99, with a monthly cost at £33.99.

      What is the team news?
      Bournemouth boss Jonathan Woodgate is without Lewis Cook, who is injured.
      Meanwhile Frank Thomas is without Shandon Baptiste, Henrik Dalsgaard, Josh Dasilva and Rico Henry due to various injuries. More