Where is the playoff final

Brentford will play at the highest level for the first time since having eased past man Swansea. We go 21 games unbeaten and are top of the league, then a minor setback and we go into the final against a good Swansea side and we know anything can happen. It's unbelievable. Brentford were beaten in last season's second-tier play-off final by Fulham, who ran out winners after extra time. But the pain of their last visit to Wembley turned to elation as they finally tasted play-off success at the 10th time of asking, which ensures they will become the 50th club to play in the Premier League.

Swansea's hopes of rejoining the elite disappeared as they failed to produce their best at Wembley, with any hope of a second-half comeback not helped by the contentious dismissal of Jay Fulton for a foul on Mathias Jensen. Frank said he expects to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season - although he is not contemplating transfer plans yet.

Brentford fans have waited a long time for a moment like this. This was the club's 10th play-off campaign and fifth final, with previous trips to Wembley coming in , and last season, while there was a Millennium Stadium meeting with Stoke in The grand total of play-off promotions before today? There have been three EFL Trophy final losses, too, so Brentford will feel they were due a victory on the big stage.

Driven on perhaps by the memory of their most recent Wembley reverse, which came only 10 months ago, Frank's side finally found a path to victory. Brentford's win was made in the opening quarter, when they went in front courtesy of the first attack of any note.

Sergi Canos slid the ball in behind the Swansea rearguard for Bryan Mbeumo, and goalkeeper Freddie Woodman came racing off his line but made contact with player rather than ball. Even on this grand stage, Toney appeared totally unflustered as he ambled up and rolled the spot-kick low into the bottom corner of the net to claim goal number 33 of his remarkable season. Buoyed by their opener - and with Swansea struggling to get going - Brentford swiftly doubled their advantage.

The move started when a long throw into the Brentford box was cleared to Mbeumo, who carried the ball deep into opposition territory before feeding the overlapping Mads Roerslev.

The Dane lifted the ball across goal for Marcondes to rifle a fierce, low drive inside Woodman's near post. Swansea were reeling. Any hope Steve Cooper's side had of a response may have been wiped out within a minute, as Toney's dipping long-range volley beat Woodman only to hit the underside of the crossbar and bounce away to safety off the line. Brentford eased their way through to the break, with the one first-half scare for David Raya coming when Andre Ayew met Conor Hourihane's free-kick with a looping header which hit the top of the bar.

Swansea's only genuine chance came early in the second period, when Connor Roberts crossed for Ayew but he could only glance a header wide of the far post. Brentford threatened again, with Mbeumo lifting wastefully over, before Fulton's unfortunate dismissal all but finished Swansea off.

The midfielder appeared to tread accidentally on Jensen before slipping as his studs got caught, but referee Chris Kavanagh flashed the red card in an instant. With that Swansea were beaten and it is Brentford who can look forward to facing Manchester City, neighbours United, Liverpool and company next season.

For the second successive season Swansea's hopes of a return to the Premier League have been ended in the play-offs by Brentford. Cooper's players responded admirably after last year's semi-final loss, but this reverse may be harder to stomach. Nine months of hard work has come to nothing and there will now be questions about what comes next. Cooper has only a year to run on his Liberty Stadium deal and there has already been speculation over his future, with managerless Crystal Palace believed to be among his admirers.

Ayew, Swansea's talisman up front and their top scorer for the last two seasons, sees his lucrative contract expire next month. It would be a shock if he is still around next season, while Woodman, Marc Guehi and Hourihane are all heading back to their parent clubs after loan spells. Then there are the likes of Roberts and Matt Grimes, who have only a year remaining on their respective deals and may therefore be in the shop window.

On top of all that, there will be no more Premier League parachute payments following Swansea's relegation in Once the dust settles on a day when they failed to do themselves justice at Wembley, Swansea could now face a busy summer.

Swansea head coach Steve Cooper:. We didn't win the game which is what we came here to do. We gave ourselves a really tough job going down. The players never gave up and gave it a really good go, certainly at the start of the second half. On Fulton's red card:.

The red card came out so quickly. Brentford head coach Thomas Frank:. Last year I didn't feel we played our best game, but we definitely did that this year.

Formation Match ends, Brentford 2, Swansea City 0. Second Half ends, Brentford 2, Swansea City 0. Offside, Swansea City. Liam Cullen tries a through ball, but Ben Cabango is caught offside. Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Ryan Manning. Attempt blocked. Marcus Forss Brentford left footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Substitution, Brentford.

Mads Bidstrup replaces Emiliano Marcondes. Attempt missed. Yan Dhanda Swansea City right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a set piece situation. Jamal Lowe Swansea City wins a free kick in the attacking half. Foul by Henrik Dalsgaard Brentford. Foul by Ben Cabango Swansea City. Mathias Jensen Brentford wins a free kick in the defensive half. Ryan Manning Swansea City wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Ivan Toney Brentford. David Raya Martin Brentford wins a free kick in the defensive half. Ryan Manning Swansea City wins a free kick on the left wing. Foul by Saman Ghoddos Brentford. Foul by Ethan Pinnock Brentford. Saman Ghoddos Brentford left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Ivan Toney. These comments are now closed. Brentford Brentford 2 Swansea Swansea City 0.

Brentford will play in the top flight next season after a year absence courtesy of victory over Swansea City Thomas Frank said there were tears in his eyes after Brentford reached the Premier League for the first time by beating Swansea City in the Championship play-off final. Line-ups Match Stats Live Text. Line-ups Brentford Formation 1 Raya. Swansea Formation 1 Woodman. Referee: Chris Kavanagh. Attendance: 11, Live Text. Page 1 of 6.

Navigate to the next page next. Comments Join the conversation. To use comments you will need to have JavaScript enabled. Congratulations Brentford, it's always good to see a new team come to the PL. Took your time! SD replied: Agreed. More replies 38 down. Justice was done. Jon Varney, the chief executive of west London club Brentford, slammed the decision as "unjustifiable", saying in a joint statement: "We feel it is unjust that only a few days ago, more than 20, fans were admitted to the FA Cup final and advanced discussions were taking place for Wembley to host the Champions League final with a similar number of fans attending.

Both teams are set to be restricted to just 4, fans as their teams compete for a place in the top flight of the English game. Julian Winter, the chief executive of Welsh club Swansea, who've long played professional football in England's league system, said: "The FA Cup final recently hosted over 20, spectators which helped generate a fantastic atmosphere for both teams — something which has been sorely missed over the past 14 months.

City's record run in the competition came to an end at the London Stadium as the Hammers emerged winners from a penalty shootout after both sides were guilty of missing plenty of chances in a draw.

Xavi has been tipped to return to the club where he starred as a player and take over as coach following the sacking earlier this week of Ronald Koeman. Two weeks after their embarrassing humiliation at the hands of Liverpool, United were again palpably second best in a limp display at Old Trafford.

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