Brentford Edge Crystal Palace to Secure Back-to-Back Away Wins

Brentford continued their resurgence on the road with a gritty 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, marking their first win at the venue in the Premier League era. A match of two contrasting halves saw the Bees deliver a clinical second-half display to secure consecutive away wins in the same campaign for the first time since late 2022.

The first half offered little in terms of attacking excitement, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. However, the game came alive after the break, and Brentford wasted no time asserting themselves. Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring from the penalty spot after VAR ordered a retake for encroachment, having initially hit the post with his first effort.

The Bees doubled their lead 14 minutes later when Kevin Schade bravely headed home, showcasing why Brentford are one of the most dangerous teams in the Premier League when it comes to headed goals. Since their promotion in 2021-22, only Liverpool (50), Arsenal (43), and Manchester City (43) have scored more goals with headers than Brentford’s 38.

Despite a spirited late push from Palace, who halved the deficit through Ademola Esse’s strike, Brentford held firm to claim all three points. The Bees finished with an xG of 1.68 compared to Palace’s 1.09, highlighting their superior finishing on the day.

The defeat was a rare setback for Crystal Palace, who have been impressive in recent months. It was only their third loss in their last 15 Premier League matches (W6 D6), with all three coming in London derbies at Selhurst Park against Fulham, Arsenal, and now Brentford.

Brentford’s win also highlights a turnaround in their away form. Having won just two of their previous 17 Premier League matches on the road (W2 D3 L12), the Bees have now matched that total with back-to-back victories away from home.

The result cements Brentford’s position in 11th place, opening up a four-point gap over Palace, who remain just behind in 12th. With momentum on their side, Brentford will aim to continue climbing the table, while Palace will look to bounce back as they seek to maintain their strong form outside of derby clashes.

For now, Brentford’s fans can celebrate a hard-fought victory and a step forward in their bid for a strong finish to the season.