ANDRE AYEW fired Swansea to a 1-0 victory against 10-man Brentford in Sunday’s Championship play-off semi-final first leg as the Ghana striker recovered from missing a penalty to grab the late winner.
Ayew saw his spot-kick saved by Brentford keeper David Raya in the second half at the Liberty Stadium.
But the former Marseille and West Ham star shrugged off that blow to score with a superb strike nine minutes from full-time.
Brentford had Rico Henry sent off for a studs-up lunge on Swansea right-back Connor Roberts soon after Ayew’s penalty miss.
Steve Cooper’s side will take their slender lead to Griffin Park for the second leg on Wednesday.
Swansea’s south Wales rivals Cardiff host Fulham in the other play-off semi-final first leg on Monday.
Brentford and Swansea have taken contrasting routes to the play-offs.
Heading into Wednesday’s final day of the regular season, Brentford were in with a chance of automatic promotion to the top-flight for the first time in 73 years.
But Thomas Frank’s team were beaten by lowly Barnsley, while West Bromwich Albion’s draw with QPR was enough to clinch second place above the Bees.
Swansea were underdogs to make the play-offs with just minutes left in their last game at Reading, but a late goal-blitz gave them a 4-1 win.
That result combined with Nottingham Forest’s 4-1 loss against Stoke was enough to lift Swansea into the top six on goal difference.
Bidding to return to the Premier League after a two-year absence, Swansea were on top for long periods against Brentford.
Ayew’s first half header hit the post before Raya smothered the rebound from on-loan Liverpool forward Rhian Brewster.
Brentford’s Said Benrahma squandered his side’s best chance when he blazed over.
Swansea won their penalty in the 63rd minute as Ayew found Brewster and he was brought down by Brentford captain Pontus Jansson.
Ayew tried to fool Raya with a stutter-step before his penalty, but the keeper stuck his hand out to save.
Just moments later, Henry saw red for his foul on Roberts and Ayew made Brentford pay in the 81st minute.
Conor Gallagher dinked a pass to Jay Fulton in the Brentford area and he laid off for Ayew to smash a half-volley into the roof of the net.
The 30-year-old’s 18th goal of the season will prove priceless if Swansea can seal their place in the Wembley final.
The organisers have ruined this competition. I’m delighted a French team have been given the same treatment as Leinster but it still doesn’t make it right.
Happy for Connacht though.
@Clark: what would you do though? Or what exactly can be done, considering the pandemic
@Andrew Taz Donohoe: play the feckin tie with players that have tested negative today. Same as should have been done with Leinster, we had a negative match day ready to go. These outbreaks will come and go, those players that are vaccinated and also negative on the day should be allowed play on.
You mean Testdemic.
@Clark: Agrred. These 28 :0 wins were never any good in situations where no one is at fault. Whoever came up with that should be fired on the spot! 1D10TS
@Andrew Taz Donohoe: think the point is, some games 28-0 and others 0-0.. how can that be‽?
@Eoin Roche: where you saying the same when Toulon had a match day 23 all test negative, yet the game was awarded to Leinster?
@Karl Mc Cauley: Thats easy, some games were cancalled due to covid outbreaks (which EPRC legistrates for) and awarded 28-0, and some were cancelled due to travel restrictions (which isnt legislatiled for) so were given as draws.
I didn’t see LNR say anything about it being a scandalous decision when Montpellier were handed a 28-0 win against Leinster
Well deserved, a justification for the brand of rugby they promote.
It’s a total anticlimax of a way for us to make the knockouts, but reaching the knockouts this year, is not near the same as reaching it when there’s only 8 teams, and there’s been a fair and equal group stage. However it’s still great to make it to the last 16, the aim now has to be to make sure we can put our best foot forward, and target further progression in the competition. Have to say I always liked Toulouse, but it’s totally hilarious to see the reaction from both Toulouse and the LNR. One thing to note is how the URC never came in to back Scarlets, Ospreys or Leinster when they got shafted.
@Patrick Breen: good point re the URC… And regarding getting through, its a topsy turvy year, take what you can get, and I bet there will be a great buzz in Connacht now going into this last game regardless.
@SPQH: enjoy it. Get to a semi snd earn the buzz
There’ll be no easy games in the last 16 but I’d like to avoid Racing and Leinster, Exeter and Le Rochelle also if I’m making wish-list
@mike ryan: I think they will be hoping to avoid us as well. A good win tomorrow should give us a home draw, which means we should avoid the likes of the teams you’re talking about.
@Donal McCarthy: actually, just had another look at the table, we need Scarlets to beat Bristol for that to happen. Unlikely
Castres will regret no going full guns last week, but then again they didn’t seem to be too bothered
@Scott Crossfield: I don’t think they give a daam, they’ve always been a bit of a disappointment in Europe, a bit like Montpellier.
@Scott Crossfield: if castres and wasps win toulouse go out.
@Scott Crossfield: Castes have been absolutley ridden by the Mike Addission and his team. The officals have a lot to answer for forward passes by quinns sealing off penalties not given. The last 20 miniutes of reffing was a disgrace
I had my doubts about this years H Cup when I first saw the format. But now………….. meh.
Leicester given a walkover too.
All done in trying to justify the unfair treatment of Leinster. 2 wrongs don’t make a right
More 28 nil BS.