Brentford vs Sunderland; Premier League
Brentford vs Sunderland. Premier League.
Gtech Community Stadium.
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Brentford 1-1 Sunderland: Enzo Le Fee penalty cancels out Vitaly Janelt opener but Bees' unbeaten start continues
Report and free match highlights as Brentford drew 1-1 with Sunderland; Vitaly Janelt scored a well-taken opener but Enzo Le Fee's penalty drew the visitors level; Brentford remain unbeaten in the Premier League and have moved into fifth following the point
Saturday 5 September 2026 18:41, UK
Enzo Le Fee rescued a point for Sunderland after dispatching his late penalty to secure a 1-1 draw at Brentford.
The Bees broke the deadlock just before the hour mark thanks to Vitaly Janelt's well-taken effort into the top left corner, only for referee Thomas Bramall to point to the spot in the 82nd minute to penalise Keane Lewis-Potter for holding Wilson Isidor inside the box.
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The full-back did not have eyes on the ball while making contact and after being confirmed by VAR, Le Fee stepped up to dispatch it into the bottom right corner.
"We can do better, I always look at us," Brentford boss Keith Andrews said in his post-match press conference.
"I wasn't bowled over with the officiating today, though, which I rarely say.
"I don't tend to go on about officials too much. I will talk myself into trouble but I didn't like the flow of the game; there were incidents where it was not under control."
A point marked a fair return for both sides in a game where momentum swung in favour of both teams at different stages of the contest.
Sunderland, who switched to a back five for this fixture, had started the better side and came close to an opener in the first half after Dan Ballard's goal was disallowed following a lengthy VAR review and Le Fee hit the post with a fierce strike from range.
"It is a shame," Regis Le Bris said after the game regarding Ballard's goal, which was ruled out due to debutant Kevin Danso being offside. "If you need four and a half minutes to make a decision, it means you are hesitating."
Half-time changes from Keith Andrews - replacing Michael Kayode, Mamadou Sangare and Dango Ouattara with Aaron Hickey, Yehor Yarmoliuk and Anthony - inspired fresh impetus going forward.
Their unbeaten start to the season continues but marks the second consecutive week the Bees have squandered a lead late on and were forced to settle for a point following the 1-1 at Leeds United last time out.
The key moments from the Gtech...
9: DISALLOWED! Ballard's opener ruled out due to Danso offside on debut
20: OFF THE POST! Le Fee strikes the post with emphatic volley
45: TRIPLE CHANGE! Andrews replaces Kayode, Ouattara and Sangare with Hickey, Yarmoliuk and Anthony
57: GOAL! Janelt scores the opener with well-taken effort into top corner
70: DISALLOWED! Anthony's tap-in ruled out for foul on Roefs
82: PENALTY! Le Fee scores equaliser after Lewis-Potter penalised for foul on Isidor
Andrews: We were off our usual levels
Brentford boss Keith Andrews:
"It had a lot in it, the game. In the first half, we didn't hit the levels we had. The way they played was very good.
"We were a little bit off it and in the second half we did the basics very well. It allowed us to have control and more territory; we looked more like us and got ourselves in front.
"There were then decisions that went for us and did not go for us.
"I knew it would be a very difficult game today. It was a proper game. If I am in the stand and watching from afar, it is what the Premier League is all about. Going toe-to-toe with a good team and good coach."
Le Bris: We dominated but Brentford switched the momentum
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris:
"First half, we were dominant and created four big chances in the first 30 minutes.
"We managed this part of the game but didn't score. It is always a big shame.
"They changed three players and it switched the momentum. They scored but the lads were still in the game.
"We know we are good when we are behind. The subs helped."
VAR dominates post-match discussions again
Sky Sports' Patrick Rowe:
A miss for both teams with VAR at the forefront of the post-match discussions once again.
Brentford boss Keith Andrews was right to criticise the flow of the game and the control Thomas Bramall had at times but zero questions can be raised about the penalty.
A greater emphasis is being placed on players who do not look at the ball, have both hands on their opponent, make no attempt to play the ball or commit sustained holding of their opponent.
Keane Lewis-Potter did all four in plain sight of match officials and VAR.
Sunderland, meanwhile, were also left with a bitter taste in their mouths regarding officiating after it took longer than four minutes to disallow Dan Ballard's goal in the ninth minute.
"It's a shame because if you need four and a half minutes to make your decision, it means that you are hesitating," Regis Le Bris said after the game.
"So it wasn't a decision for us. It is what it is."
An enthralling game where momentum swung both ways should leave us talking about in-game management, the finish of Vitaly Janelt and Enzo Le Fee's late equaliser. Instead, it's VAR again.
