Recap

Brentford and Crystal Palace Share the Spoils in Premier League Draw at the Gtech

Palace stand firm away from home as both sides struggle for a breakthrough in a tightly contested London derby

Dango Ouattara bagged a brace as Brentford twice pegged Crystal Palace back to draw 2-2 and keep their European hopes alive.

Ismaila Sarr’s penalty gave the visitors an early lead, before Sarr and then Jorgen Strand Larsen both struck the woodwork in a dominant opening period for Oliver Glasner’s side.

However, Palace were punished for their wastefulness when Jaydee Canvot’s attempted clearance rebounded off Ouattara five minutes before the break to level things up.

Adam Wharton then netted his first goal for Palace, on his 94th appearance in all competitions for the club, to put the Eagles back in front in the 52nd minute.

Brentford didn’t give up, and Ouattara salvaged a point for the Bees when he nodded in the equaliser two minutes from time. The result means that Palace stay 15th on 44 points, while Brentford remain in eighth place, the UEFA Conference League qualifying spot.

How the match unfolded

Palace got themselves ahead in the sixth minute through Sarr’s penalty, with the decision awarded following a VAR review for a foul on the Senegal international by goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Brentford’s slow start continued when Mathias Jensen was caught in possession by Yeremy Pino, who slipped in Sarr, but from a tight angle, his shot rattled against the crossbar.

Strand Larsen then struck the woodwork with a curling effort, but out of nothing, Brentford found an unexpected leveller in fortuitous circumstances as Canvot’s header rebounded off Ouattara and into the net.

But seven minutes after the restart, the Eagles retook the lead when Wharton’s long-range effort squirmed under Kelleher, which was the England international’s first goal for the club.

With Brentford struggling to create opportunities, they fashioned another goal out of nowhere as Michael Kayode’s long throw was flicked on by Sepp van den Berg, gifting Ouattara a close-range header at the back post.

Brentford pushed for a winner and came close twice in stoppage time, but Kevin Schade and Igor Thiago both lashed off target as both sides had to settle for a point.