Category: London

Olympic stadium

A Sunday afternoon visit for football rather than athletics and only 9 years late for the latter.

Brentford were playing West Ham and managed to pull out a last minute win when really a draw would have been reasonable.

I think this was the first away game I have been to since seeing them play Cheltenham Town when in League 1 about 20 years ago when I took Joseph. And then In was in the side stand with the home supporters.

The stadium was full which I think means 60,000 with about 5,000 of us. A strange experience. The stadium is clearly not designed for football with the pitch a long way from the fans. I was ‘on my own’ with 5,000 others, ie. no AP to discuss the finer points or moan to.

The end where the winner went in @94′.

A positive write up:

West Ham

  • Jarrod Bowen 80

Brentford

  • Bryan Mbeumo 20
  • Yoane Wissa 90 +3:43

Brentford’s Yoane Wissa claims win against West Ham with last kick of game

Yoane Wissa (left) celebrates scoring Brentford’s winner at West Ham with Ivan Toney.
 Yoane Wissa (left) celebrates scoring Brentford’s winner at West Ham with Ivan Toney. Photograph: Tony Obrien/Reuters

Last weekend, Yoane Wissa emerged from the bench and equalised against Liverpool within four minutes. It took the man from the Democratic Republic of Congo double the length of time to hurt West Ham, but a winner with the game’s final action was a stunning outcome when his team appeared content with a point.

Playing with the big boys

A little late as the game was on Saturday, but all the same, it needs to be recorded. So, after so many times when we ‘dreamed’ of playing in the top flight, we though of playing Manchester United and Liverpool and the likes of them. So now Liverpool came to visit. Before I assumed that a tight loss was likely. In the end a great draw after a great event, a great game with noise and ambiance.

It was a great game to be at, somewhat unbelievable, taking the lead, fighting back and with such great noise. Keep enjoying the ride!

Brentford

  • Ethan Pinnock 27
  • Vitaly Janelt 63
  • Yoane Wissa 82

Liverpool

  • Diogo Jota 31
  • Mohamed Salah 54
  • Curtis Jones 67

Liverpool held to thrilling draw at Brentford after Wissa grabs his chance

Yoane Wissa scores Brentford’s third goal against Liverpool
Yoane Wissa scores Brentford’s third goal against Liverpool. Photograph: Ian Tuttle/Shutterstock

Ed Aarons at Brentford Community Stadium@ed_aaronsSat 25 Sep 2021 19.35 BST

At the final whistle, Jürgen Klopp could not stop shaking his head in disbelief. Somehow his Liverpool side had contrived to throw away victory against a Brentford side that simply never stopped believing.

And from the BBC

It’s what we dream for’ – Mohamed Salah’s big Liverpool moment spoilt by brilliant Bees

Last updated on 25 September 202125 September 2021.From the section Premier League 3-3 Liverpool: Thomas Frank delighted with ‘fantastic’ performance

It was described as a “crazy game”, a “wild ride” and something Brentford could only dream of as the newly promoted side came from behind twice to draw with title-challengers Liverpool. 

“That’s football,” Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said afterwards.

In a memorable and topsy-turvy encounter at the Brentford Community Stadium, the hosts scored a dramatic late equaliser to make it 3-3 after Curtis Jones looked to have sealed victory for Liverpool.

Former Arsenal and England striker Alan Smith was impressed, claiming on Sky Sports: “If Brentford can do this to Liverpool, they can do this to anyone.”https://emp.bbc.co.uk/emp/SMPj/2.43.13/iframe.htmlMatch of the Day analysis: How Brentford’s ‘perfect’ gameplan caused Liverpool problems

Brentford manager Thomas Frank said they “went toe-to-toe with one of the best teams in Europe”.

His players did a lap of honour at full-time, the fans were singing long after the final whistle and Brentford goalscorer Vitaly Janelt was in disbelief.

A great Friday evening of football

Well. possibly against expectations the Bees wind their opener in the Premier League against one the big boys. A team as one of the articles noted who considered themselves big enough to be one of the original participants of the proposed Super League in Europe.

Well the evening was great; the atmosphere great, full stadium and with a solid win to boot.

An it would seem the game, the event and the whole positive feel of the win and Brentford making an impact has been appreciated and the emotional side noted.

At the end there was a lap of recognition, if you like, with the singing accompanying it.

An of course, now for a few moments, maybe, top of the table:

Wembley

So Brentford have another go at reaching the rarified zones of football- the Premier League – today.

So according to the BBC the game is worth £160 million- significant then from that point of view, but also would be the first time since 1947 that Brentford played in the top flight. A lifetime or more.

It also seems that the Bees are favourites.

In the end I had access to a ticket for the game but had affirmed with Isaac that I would go to watch his rugby match – after all his training. So Percy is now going in my place.

I will be watching Isaac and then trying to find a pub showing the game in east London. Hopefully not a problem.

COYB.

Family walk

On Friday we were all together as Joe is soon off, to celebrate birthdays and as it was the first time for many months EQ was allowed out of Scotland.

A walk through parts of west London, including a view of the Almond Ave.

That was followed by Gunnersbury park and saying hello to grandmother and grandfather, plus a clean up of the grave.

Next stop were the gardens of Chiswick House before the lunch stop at Kew.

Nice.