Norgaard, Toney on target as Brentford win at Wolves

WOLVERHAMPTON: Goals by Christian Norgaard and Ivan Toney helped Brentford end a six-match losing streak away from home with a deserved 2-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Brentford moved six points clear of the relegation zone in 14th place on after their third away win of the season. Wolves stayed 10th with 32 points. The visitors started well and a sliding interception by Mads Roerslev snatched the ball from Rayan Ait-Nouri and found Neal Maupay on the edge of the box, but Wolves keeper Jose Sa blocked his shot.

Maupay almost scored from the resulting corner kick but his header was saved by Sa. Wolves responded with a chance for Matheus Cunha, but the Brazilian forward’s left-footed attempt was palmed away by Brentford keeper Mark Flekken.

Cunha limped off in the 20th minute to be replaced by Jeanricner Bellegarde and Brentford continued to attack as Jensen intercepted Craig Dawson’s header but fired off target, followed by Maupay’s shot straight at Sa.

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when captain Norgaard evaded his marker and headed Refugio’s left-footed corner into the net for his second goal of the season. Wolves created a wave of attacks, but Flekken’s quick saves denied Neto and Sarabia as he fought to earn his fourth clean sheet of the season.

“The clean sheet mentality was a big focus today,” Brentford manager Thomas Frank said. “We spoke about it during the week, in training and in meetings, and, I know it sounds simple, but I said, clean sheet and we’ll win the game because we’ll always score goals.”

The visitors sealed the win in the 77th minute when Toney met Janet’s cross from the left with a clinical first touch that beat the keeper. Pablo Sarabia sought a late comeback for Wolves with his late cross but Nathan Fraser headed it straight at Flekken, as Brentford, who lost their last two matches after taking the lead, held on for the win.