Brentford
Nottingham
Brentford vs Nottingham Match Commentary
Brentford vs Nottingham Match Overview: 0-2 Premier League
In a night where the numbers screamed Brentford control but the scoreboard told a colder truth, Nottingham walked out with a ruthless Brentford vs Nottingham Result: 0-2. A slick early finish from Igor Jesus and a late, thunderous solo strike by Taiwo Awoniyi settled a game Brentford largely owned in territory, possession and pressure. This Brentford vs Nottingham Match Report is a story of missed moments, two key injuries that disrupted Brentford’s rhythm, and Nottingham’s calm, clinical edge when it mattered most.
First Half: Brentford push, Nottingham strike first
Brentford began with intent, and inside two minutes Igor Thiago had already flashed a warning shot just wide after meeting a teasing cross. It felt like the kind of start that could spark a home performance, but Nottingham’s response was immediate and sharp—corners, pressure, and a couple of sights of goal that hinted they’d come prepared to hurt Brentford in transition.
The breakthrough arrived on 12 minutes and it landed with a punch. A long pass split the defensive line, and Igor Jesus took the invitation without hesitation, sliding his finish into the bottom corner for the opener. In terms of the Brentford vs Nottingham Score, it was a brutal swing: Brentford were playing, Nottingham were scoring.
Brentford’s task became harder as the half turned chaotic with injuries. Mikkel Damsgaard and Kristoffer Ajer both went down, forcing Keith Andrews into two changes before the interval—Dango Ouattara and Sepp van den Berg thrown into the flow rather than introduced on Brentford’s terms. Even so, Brentford still carved out chances: Ouattara drove a low effort that demanded an excellent save from Matz Sels, and van den Berg later glanced a header narrowly wide as the hosts tried to turn pressure into an equaliser.
- Key Moment: Igor Thiago’s early chance sets the tone, but his finish drifts just wide.
- Key Moment: 12’ — Igor Jesus breaks through and finishes clinically to make it 0-1.
- Key Moment: Brentford suffer a double injury blow as Damsgaard and Ajer are forced off, reshaping the game plan.
Second Half: Brentford knock, Nottingham land the knockout
After the restart, it became a familiar pattern: Brentford camped higher, won corners, and kept Nottingham pinned deep. Ouattara twice attacked deliveries with real menace—one header blocked from close range, another later flying over after Jensen’s set-piece found him in space. Brentford’s best openings came in flashes, the kind that make a home crowd believe the next attack will be the one.
Then came the moment that summed up Brentford’s night. Igor Thiago found himself with a golden rebound from inside the six-yard box and somehow pushed it inches wide. It was the chance that could have flipped the Brentford vs Nottingham Analysis on its head; instead, it became the turning point that Nottingham seized.
Nottingham’s bench made the difference. With 0-1 still fragile, Taiwo Awoniyi was introduced, and within minutes he delivered the decisive blow. On 79 minutes he surged into the box and unleashed a superb strike into the bottom corner—Caoimhin Kelleher left watching as the ball flew beyond him. Suddenly the Brentford vs Nottingham Score read 0-2, and the remaining minutes felt like a chase against time rather than just a deficit.
Brentford kept coming—late corners, late headers, late hope—but Nottingham’s defending held firm and the away side managed the closing stages with the composure of a team that knew exactly what kind of win they were building.
- Key Moment: Brentford’s set-piece pressure grows, with Ouattara repeatedly getting first contact.
- Key Moment: Igor Thiago misses from point-blank range, a huge moment in the match’s direction.
- Key Moment: 79’ — Awoniyi’s powerful individual finish seals the contest at 0-2.
Brentford vs Nottingham Stats Breakdown
The Brentford vs Nottingham Stats paint a fascinating contrast between control and cutting edge. Brentford dominated the ball with 66% possession and lived in the final third, recording 42 touches in the opposition box to Nottingham’s 16. The underlying numbers also lean heavily homeward: Brentford posted 1.81 xG and 1.79 xA, compared to Nottingham’s 0.78 xG and 0.20 xA, suggesting the hosts created enough to score on another day.
But Nottingham were cleaner in the moments that mattered. They registered 2 shots on target and scored twice; Brentford managed 1 shot on target from 10 attempts, a finishing return that simply didn’t match their build-up. The xG-on-target story also underlines the difference: Nottingham’s 0.86 xGOT reflected the quality of their final actions, while Brentford’s 0.36 xGOT showed too many efforts either blocked, rushed, or off the mark.
In this full-time analysis, Brentford’s territorial dominance was real, but Nottingham’s defensive workload—54 clearances—was matched by their ability to turn a handful of attacks into decisive Brentford vs Nottingham Goals. This was a Premier League match report shaped by efficiency.
Brentford vs Nottingham Lineups
Brentford XI (4-2-3-1): Caoimhin Kelleher; Michael Kayode, Kristoffer Ajer, Nathan Collins, Rico Henry; Yegor Yarmolyuk, Vitaly Janelt; Mathias Jensen, Mikkel Damsgaard, Kevin Schade; Igor Thiago.
Nottingham XI: Matz Sels; Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo, Neco Williams; Ibrahim Sangare, Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Morgan Gibbs-White, Nicolas Dominguez; Igor Jesus.
Substitutes used
Brentford: Dango Ouattara (for Damsgaard), Sepp van den Berg (for Ajer), Aaron Hickey (for Henry), Keane Lewis-Potter (for Kayode), Jordan Henderson (for Yarmolyuk).
Nottingham: Omari Hutchinson (for Dominguez), Taiwo Awoniyi (for Igor Jesus), Morato (for Hudson-Odoi).
Player of the Match
Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham). Introduced with the game still tense, he changed it instantly—stretching Brentford’s back line, carrying threat with every touch, and producing the defining moment with a brilliant, emphatic finish. In the context of the Brentford vs Nottingham Highlights, his goal was the clip that ended the contest.
What the Result Means
For Brentford, this Brentford vs Nottingham Result will sting because the performance contained so much of what you want at home—control, territory, pressure—without the finishing touch. The injury disruptions in the first half also leave questions for the next Brentford match today-style selection call, especially with Ajer and Damsgaard forced off.
For Nottingham, the win is the kind that can define a season: disciplined without the ball, brave when chances arrived, and decisive from the bench. If this is how they intend to navigate tight away fixtures, the confidence from this Brentford vs Nottingham Match Overview could carry into their next test, with Awoniyi’s impact offering a major boost for any Nottingham match today preview to come.
That's it for today, Samuel Barrott has blown his whistle and the game is over.
90+3'
Kevin Schade (Brentford) outjumps his marker and heads the resulting corner high over the bar.
90+2'
Dango Ouattara (Brentford) goes over to take a corner kick after one of the defenders makes a good clearance.
90'
3 min. of stoppage-time to be played.
90'
The corner is swung in but Brentford can’t take advantage as a defender sweeps the ball away.
87'
Here comes a substitution. Morato (Nottingham) is brought on as a substitute for Callum Hudson-Odoi.
85'
Mathias Jensen finds the head of Dango Ouattara (Brentford) with a clever free kick, and he crashes in a powerful close-range header at goal that just flies over the bar. Unlucky!
85'
Neco Williams (Nottingham) makes an unfair challenge by holding his opponent to prevent him from getting the ball. Another situation results in a direct free kick for Brentford.
81'
Keith Andrews has decided to make a change. Jordan Henderson (Brentford) replaces Yegor Yarmolyuk.
81'
The manager has decided to make a substitution and Michael Kayode walks off the pitch to be replaced by Keane Lewis-Potter (Brentford).
79'
0 - 2
Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham) finishes his beautiful individual effort with a superb strike from inside the box. Caoimhin Kelleher is just a bystander as the ball flies into the bottom left corner. The score is 0:2.
76'
Igor Thiago (Brentford) is furious with himself as he misses a golden opportunity from inside the six-yard box. He sends a rebound a few inches wide of the left post. The ball is off of the pitch and it's a goal kick for Nottingham.
74'
Vitaly Janelt (Brentford) sends over a free kick from long range but the defence is alert.
70'
The game is interrupted as Igor Thiago (Brentford) is flagged offside.
68'
Substitution. Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham) on for Igor Jesus.
67'
Keith Andrews has decided to substitute Rico Henry and he is replaced by Aaron Hickey (Brentford).
66'
Yellow card. Yegor Yarmolyuk (Brentford) goes into the book for a bad tackle on his opponent.
61'
Here's the change. Nicolas Dominguez leaves the pitch and Omari Hutchinson (Nottingham) comes on as a substitute.
55'
The current number of corner kicks is 4:5.
50'
Dango Ouattara (Brentford) jumps highest to win the header from the corner, but his close-range attempt is well blocked by a defender.
50'
Mathias Jensen (Brentford) takes the corner.
49'
Another attempt to send the ball beyond the defence by Vitaly Janelt (Brentford) is thwarted and cleared to safety. The referee points to the corner flag. It's a corner to Brentford.
46'
The players are back out on the pitch following the half-time break and the second half is about to start.
45+8'
That is it for the first half after the referee blows his whistle and the players head to their respective dressing rooms.
45+7'
Sepp van den Berg (Brentford) latches onto a lofted pass from Michael Kayode on the edge of the six-yard box, but misdirects his header and sends it just wide of the left post.
45+3'
Brentford failed to take advantage of the corner as the opposition's defence was alert and averted the threat.
45+2'
The ball goes out of play and it will be a corner kick.
45'
7 additional min. will be played.
43'
The game is interrupted now, Murillo (Nottingham) picks up a knock and the physio has to come on.
40'
A defence-splitting pass is taken in his stride by Dango Ouattara (Brentford) in the box. Without even looking up he drills a shot towards the bottom left corner, but Matz Sels pulls off a brilliant save.
37'
The manager has been forced to make a substitution and the injured Mikkel Damsgaard leaves the pitch to be replaced by Dango Ouattara (Brentford).
37'
Problems for Keith Andrews as Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford) is not able to play anymore. His injury is too serious and Sepp van den Berg replaces him.
36'
Kristoffer Ajer (Brentford) requires medical treatment, so the referee stops play and signals for the physio to come onto the pitch.
34'
Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford) is clearly asking for some medical attention with his painful gestures. The extent of his injury is yet to be discovered.
33'
The free kick is delivered by Vitaly Janelt (Brentford) but it's not one of his best and is easily cleared.
30'
The resulting corner from Vitaly Janelt (Brentford) comes to nothing.
28'
Elliot Anderson (Nottingham) sends over a poor, overhit cross from the corner kick and the ball goes out of play.
26'
A fantastic block by a defender means that the corner from Nottingham comes to nothing.
25'
Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford) strikes a powerful volley towards goal, but one of the defenders blocks his attempt.
21'
Nottingham take a short corner instead of sending the ball into the penalty area.
19'
Ibrahim Sangare (Nottingham) is untouchable as he tricks his way into the box. His shot, though, lacks a little bit of accuracy and flies a whisker wide of the right post. That would have been a great goal! The ball goes out of play and Brentford will have a goal kick.
19'
Elliot Anderson (Nottingham) collects an inch-perfect pass and strikes the ball from far out, but his shot is blocked.
12'
0 - 1
Igor Jesus (Nottingham) gets on the end of a long pass that is slotted through the defence and easily sends the ball into the bottom left corner!
9'
Nicolas Dominguez (Nottingham) misses with a poor header from a rebound on the edge of the penalty area, directing his effort high over the crossbar!
8'
Nottingham have a chance to score from a corner kick, but the ball is cleared by a defender.
7'
What a great touch by Igor Jesus (Nottingham) as he controls a fine pass into the box and takes a shot to the right side of the goal, but an opposing player makes a clearance. Great defending. The ball goes out of play. Nottingham are awarded a corner kick.
7'
Elliot Anderson (Nottingham) works the corner short instead of sending the ball into the penalty area.
6'
Ola Aina (Nottingham) swings in a cross, but the ball is cleared to safety by one of the defending players. The linesman makes the right call and Nottingham will have a corner.
3'
Nicolas Dominguez (Nottingham) is down injured and the referee stops play so that he can receive medical treatment.
2'
Igor Thiago (Brentford) pounces on a great cross inside the box, but lashes his powerful first-time shot a whisker past the right post.
1'
The first half has just begun.
Brentford will kick-off.
Samuel Barrott got the nomination for today's game and will try his best to be a fair judge and not make any mistakes.
Show lineups
Both teams starting lineups are available now, so you can have a look at them.
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