Brentford stun Forest after Dean dismissal
Brentford 2 Nottingham Forest 1
Philipp Hofmann scored an injury-time winner as 10-man Brentford overcame the sending-off of Harlee Dean to somehow snatch three points.
The Bees had gone in front just after the hour mark when Sergi Canos, on as a substitute, prodded home.
The major talking point came on 70 minutes as Dean reacted to being harshly punished for a clean tackle and knocked Forest’s Jonny Williams to the ground.
The Brentford defender was dismissed and after the resultant free-kick wasn’t cleared, Henri Lansbury struck the equaliser.
But Lee Carsley’s remained a threat on the break and moments after James Tarkowski hit the post, Hofmann’s shot bobbled into the net to spark wild celebrations.
Forest had been much the better side in the first half, with Bees keeper David Button making fine saves from Nelson Oliveira and Jamie Ward.
But Brentford improved after the break and equalised when Canos, who had only been on a few minutes, finished after Dean had knocked a cross into his path.
Having set up the goal, the Bees centre-back then left his team short-handed when he swung an arm in Williams’ direction and the Forest centre-back dropped to the ground.
After everyone had calmed down, Brentford failed to deal with the free-kick and Toumani Diagouraga’s heavy touch allowed Lansbury in, who shot home from 15 yards.
But far from hanging on for a point, the Bees hit Forest on the break several times and Tarkowski hit the woodwork as he met a free-kick.
And in the fifth of six added-on minutes, Brentford found the winner as Hofmann followed up a save with a shot that crept over the line.
Brentford: Button; Yennaris, Dean, Tarkowski, Bidwell; McCormack, Diagouraga; Swift (Canos 59), Woods, Judge (O’Connell 72); Vibe (Hofmann 59).
Subs not used: Bonham, Kerschbaumer, Saunders, Gogia.
