EPL: Brentford vs Wolves Ends in 1-1 Draw, Bees Miss Out on Europe

Brentford and Wolves played out a 1-1 draw on the final day of the season, with Marshall Munetsi scoring a late equalizer for the hosts. The result meant Brentford missed out on European football.

Marshall Munetsi's stunning strike salvaged a draw for Wolves, cancelling out Bryan Mbeumo's 20th Premier League goal of the season. The match outcome dashed Brentford's slim hopes of qualifying for Europe.

The second half was a tight affair with few clear-cut chances until Munetsi seized an opportunity. He latched onto Jorgen Strand Larsen's header and unleashed a powerful first-time strike that flew past Mark Flekken into the top corner.

Brentford's chances of finishing eighth and securing a European spot were always slim, and they were ultimately ended by wins for Brighton and Bournemouth. As a result, Thomas Frank's side finished the season in 10th place, missing out on European football.

It ends all square.

🐺⏱️ pic.twitter.com/5oxeAg9JHS

— Wolves (@Wolves) May 25, 2025

Brentford took the lead after just 20 minutes at Molineux when Christian Norgaard's pass found Mbeumo, who calmly scored after Rayan Ait-Nouri lost possession deep in his own half. Both Yoane Wissa and Keane Lewis-Potter had opportunities to double the lead, but Brentford's advantage was kept to a single goal as Wolves pushed for an equalizer.

Wolves' goalkeeper Jose Sa made several key saves, particularly from Matheus Cunha and Nelson Semedo, as his team sought to level the score. However, it wasn't until the 75th minute that Wolves finally found a response, thanks to Marvelous Munetsi's powerful finish after a cut-back from Goncalo Guedes. The draw meant Wolves finished the season in 16th place.

The match saw both teams create chances, but it was Munetsi's late strike that earned Wolves a share of the points. Brentford had looked comfortable in front for much of the match but couldn't seal the win.

Wolves' season had a dramatic turnaround from their struggles in late January when they were deep in the relegation zone. However, after a strong run between February and April, their form tailed off, and they suffered successive defeats to Manchester City, Brighton, and Crystal Palace, halting their momentum under Vitor Pereira.

The 5-3 defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium in October showcased one of Wolves' worst defensive displays of the season, and it was a similar defensive lapse that gifted Brentford the lead here. Rayan Ait-Nouri's costly error allowed Mbeumo to score, putting Wolves in danger of their fourth consecutive loss.

Rayan Ait-Nouri lost possession deep in his own half after collecting a pass from Matheus Cunha, leading to a Brentford counterattack. The ball eventually reached Christian Norgaard, who calmly picked out Bryan Mbeumo for a simple finish, giving Brentford the lead.

Wolves' goalkeeper Jose Sa made several saves as the hosts pressed for an equalizer, but Brentford held firm until the 75th minute. That's when Jorgen Strand Larsen's header found Marshall Munetsi, who then made a decisive run into the box. Munetsi opted to strike the ball first-time instead of controlling it, catching Mark Flekken off guard as the ball sailed into the net, securing a crucial point for Wolves.

The draw marked a significant turnaround for Wolves, who had lost seven consecutive Premier League season finales. Their last win on the final day came back in the 2009-10 season when they beat Sunderland.

Vitor Pereira has won over Wolves fans since taking over in December, but he's set to face a challenging summer. With potential departures looming for key players like Matheus Cunha and R Ruben Neves wasn't mentioned however Nelson Semedo was, the Portuguese manager will have much to consider.

The Molineux faithful showed their appreciation for the players, particularly club captain Nelson Semedo, with a warm reception during the post-match lap of honor. This display of support highlights the strong bond between the team and the fans, even in the face of uncertainty about the future.

Despite missing out on European football, Brentford can still take pride in their 2024-25 campaign. The team excelled on the road, collecting 23 points from their 10 away league matches in the second half of the season, which was the best record in the division.

Brentford narrowly missed out on ninth place due to Bournemouth's superior goal difference. Still, their 66-goal tally was their highest in a top-flight season since 1937-38, showcasing their attacking prowess. Finishing 10th was still a notable achievement, matching their Premier League record from the 2022-23 campaign.

Brentford's front three of Yoane Wissa, Keane Lewis-Potter, and Bryan Mbeumo accounted for a significant portion of the team's goals, with Mbeumo becoming only the second Brentford player after Ivan Toney to reach 20 Premier League goals in a season.

The Bees had promising opportunities in the first half, but Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa made crucial saves, including one against Wissa in a one-on-one situation. Lewis-Potter also had a chance to score but his effort sailed over the net.

In the second half, Christian Norgaard tested Sa twice, but it was Marshall Munetsi's late goal that ultimately denied Brentford a league double over Wolves, a feat they last achieved in the 2015-16 Championship season.