Brentford lead late but fall to Sunderland’s stoppage-time sting at the Stadium of Light

Brentford controlled long stretches on Wearside and took the lead through Igor Thiago’s excellent header, only to be pegged back and then beaten 2-1 by two late Sunderland goals. Kevin Schade’s earlier penalty was saved by Robin Roefs, Enzo Le Fée equalised from the spot after Rico Henry was penalised for a pull on Habib Diarra, and Wilson Isidor’s stoppage-time header from Granit Xhaka’s cross proved decisive despite Caoimhín Kelleher’s touch.

Keith Andrews’ side depart ruing an opportunity lost. Brentford had a first-half strike ruled out for a fractional offside and, after edging the tactical battle for long periods, saw the game slip away in the dying minutes.

Structure and control, but denied by inches

The visitors’ shape frustrated Sunderland for much of the night. Jordan Henderson’s tempo-setting return at the base of midfield helped Brentford slow the game and pick their moments to probe.

Dango Ouattara thought he had rewarded that control when he latched onto Nathan Collins’ deft reverse pass and rolled home, having split the home centre-backs, but VAR showed he was marginally offside. It was an early sign that fine margins would define the evening.

Penalty choices under the spotlight

Brentford won a penalty when Reinildo Mandava pulled Collins at a set piece with the ball away from the incident. Schade stepped up for his first senior spot-kick and Roefs saved, a miss that kept Sunderland alive and carried a heavy price later.

Commentary noted the twist that Thiago, on the pitch, owns a strong record from the spot, even if recent attempts had gone awry. The moment underlined how decisions from 12 yards can shape matches; later, when Henry was judged to have pulled Diarra, Le Fée converted calmly to level in the 82nd minute.

Thiago points the way, then late heartbreak

Andrews’ plan almost came off. After Henderson departed to warm applause, Frank Onyeka immediately delivered a superb cross that Thiago attacked with a firm, precise header beyond Roefs to give Brentford a lead that looked eminently defendable.

But Sunderland pressed on and the decisive moment arrived in stoppage time. Xhaka’s whipped delivery from the left found Isidor, whose header Kelleher touched but could not keep out, sealing a harsh reversal of fortune.

Takeaways for Andrews’ side

There was much to admire: disciplined structure, a midfield anchored impressively by Henderson, and a threat in wide areas through Ouattara. With Yoane Wissa absent, however, a clinical edge was missing at key moments.

Brentford had the platform to win—VAR, a saved penalty, and a late concession tell the story of a night decided by moments. The foundations look sound, but closing out tight games must now be the focus as Andrews’ team search for their first statement result of the campaign.