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Brentford earned a long-awaited promotion to the Premier League by beating Swansea City 2-0 in the play-off final at Wembley.

After losing the play-off final last year, the aim for Brentford was to go one better. In fact, they had failed to win promotion from any of their previous nine play-off campaigns. But this time, they finally got the job done to reach the top flight.

Brentford have never been in the top division in the Premier League era, with their last taste of top-flight football being in the 1940s. But next season they will be back in the big time after seeing off Swansea.

Thomas Frank’s side came third in the Championship before seeing off Bournemouth in the semi-final of the play-offs. The attention then turned to the final, and they got the result they had long been craving.

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The game started at a fast tempo, with Swansea skipper Matt Grimes receiving a yellow card for a studs-up challenge on Sergi Canos early on.

The referee’s whistle prompted more bad news for Swansea a few minutes later, when they gave away a penalty. Canos split their defence with a pass into the box, and Bryan Mbeumo was brought down by Freddie Woodman.

Ivan Toney made no mistake from 12 yards, placing the ball beyond Woodman’s reach to give Brentford the advantage after 10 minutes.

And things got even better for Brentford when Emiliano Marcondes finished off a clinical counter attack another 10 minutes later.

Catch them if you can!

Emiliano Marcondes finishes off a blistering counter-attack as Brentford double their lead at Wembley!

Watch live on Sky Sports Football now: https://t.co/OB3DA9NueH pic.twitter.com/Pw8X2FcOih

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 29, 2021

Mbeumo made a darting run before sliding through Mads Roerslev, who waited for Marcondes’ run before picking out the number nine. There was no mistake in the finish and Brentford were already in dreamland.

It could have been three almost instantly after, when Toney struck the crossbar with an unbelievable volley from outside the box. Woodman could do nothing, but fortunately for him, the ball bounced on the line and not over it.

“That would have been game over!”

Ivan Toney is inches away from one of *THE* great play-off final goals!

Watch live on Sky Sports Football now: https://t.co/OB3DA9NueH pic.twitter.com/VLJX6Oy0Jd

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 29, 2021

Swansea needed a reaction, but when Connor Roberts tried to get in behind the defence, he was brilliantly thwarted by Pontus Jansson.

At the other end, Marc Guehi nearly allowed Mbeumo in after a careless header, but the Brentford man couldn’t capitalise.

Swansea struggle to fight back

Swansea were close to the response they required as the second half got underway. A cross came in from Roberts on the right and Andre Ayew tried to head it in, but it just went wide.

Still, it was a wake-up call for Brentford, who had controlled the first half but weren’t winners yet.

Another chance came for Swansea when Jamal Lowe tried his luck after cutting inside, but aimed off target.

Lowe had another go on the turn from a tight angle, but once again sent it wide of Brentford’s goal.

But Swansea’s hopes were soon dented when Jay Fulton was shown a straight red card for an out-of-control challenge from behind on Mathias Jensen. It seemed like a slip but was still reckless. His side had to navigate the last 25 minutes with 10 men.

Red card for Swansea! ?

Jay Fulton loses his footing and catches Mathias Jensen’s heel – Chris Kavanagh was adamant about his decision…was it the right one?

Watch live on Sky Sports Football now: https://t.co/OB3DA9NueH pic.twitter.com/gr4Q97h2lh

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 29, 2021

Swansea were still without a shot on target heading into the last 10 minutes. Brentford kept up the momentum when Toney had a shot blocked.

By this point, they were cruising, and after six minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle blew. After dreaming for so long, Brentford finally have Premier League football to look forward to.

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