Match Reports

Albion v Brentford match report

Albion played out a 1-1 draw against Brentford at The Hawthorns to extend their unbeaten home record in the Sky Bet Championship to 17 matches.

Bees captain Henrik Dalsgaard headed the visitors in front as the first half drew to a close, yet recalled Darnell Furlong restored parity just minutes later, nodding home Matt Phillips' corner to register his second goal of the season.

Both sides enjoyed half-chances to settle what was an open encounter, substitute Charlie Austin seeing his late strike ruled out for offside, but ultimately the spoils were shared.

The point ensures the Baggies remain undefeated on home soil since February, the second-longest run in the club's history, and extends their unbeaten run to 13 matches.

Slaven Bilić's side top the Sky Bet Championship table heading into Christmas, collecting 50 points at the halfway stage of the campaign, with a trip to Barnsley next up on Boxing Day.

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Albion showed two changes from last weekend's 3-2 victory at midlands neighbours Birmingham, Furlong and Kyle Edwards coming in for Conor Townsend and the injured Grady Diangana.

But it was the visitors who started on the front foot, Sam Johnstone saving well from Bryan Mbeumo and Said Benrahma in the opening exchanges.

The high-flying Bees, who had won eight of their previous 11, largely dominated the opening half an hour of the encounter, Christian Norgaard sending an effort off target from the edge of the penalty area.

Semi Ajayi hooked over Albion's first opening as the hosts began to get a foothold, keeper David Raya diving bravely at the feet of Edwards after he was sent through before Matheus Pereira saw a shot deflected wide.

Yet Dalsgaard opened the scoring for Brentford in the 43rd minute when he glanced home Mathias Jensen's inswinging corner on the stroke of half-time.

However, the Baggies replied almost immediately to level matters in injury time courtesy of a similar header from Furlong, connecting with Phillips' set-piece to ensure it was all square at the interval.

Kyle Bartley hobbled off in the 49th minute, replaced by Dara O'Shea for his league debut.

Baggies skipper Jake Livermore fired straight at Raya as an evenly-balanced second period flowed from end to end.

Julian Jeanvier headed off target at the other end before Romaine Sawyers, against his former club, fired over the crossbar for Albion when the ball broke his way on the edge of the penalty area.

Bilić introduced Charlie Austin in the 72nd minute, coming after his heroics off the bench at St Andrew's last Saturday.

And it appeared as though he had made the decisive impact again in the 89th minute when he converted a rebound after Raya had parried Pereira's effort, only to be denied by the offside flag as it finished all square - with Albion still yet to taste defeat against Brentford at home in 11 meetings.

Albion: Johnstone, Furlong, Ajayi, Bartley (O'Shea 49), Ferguson, Livermore, Sawyers, Phillips (Austin 72), Pereira, Edwards (Krovinović 77), Robson-Kanu.

Subs: Bond, Townsend, Barry, Brunt.

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