Dango Ouattara’s late equaliser snatched a 2-2 draw for Brentford against Crystal Palace to keep their European dream alive.
Ouattara, who had earlier scored the luckiest goal of the season to cancel out Ismaila Sarr’s penalty, struck at the death after Adam Wharton had finally opened his goal account for Palace.
England midfielder Wharton had not managed to find the net in his previous 93 appearances for the Eagles, since joining from Blackburn more than two years ago.
But when the 22-year-old took aim from 20 yards early in the second half at the Gtech Stadium, he got his reward at last.
However, with just two minutes remaining Ouattara secured a point for the Bees, who remain in the hunt for Europe for the first time in their history.
Palace may themselves be prioritising Europe with their Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano to come in 10 days, but they certainly cannot be accused of shirking their domestic chores.
With just six minutes gone Sarr attempted to round Caoimhin Kelleher, only for the Bees keeper to bring him down.
Referee Sam Barrott was summoned to the TV screen by the VAR and duly awarded the spot-kick, with Sarr converting for his eighth Premier League goal of the season.
With Brentford uncharacteristically flat in the opening stages, Kelleher had to save from Daniel Munoz at his near post and Wharton sent a volley over, prompting a chorus of ‘if Wharton scores, we’re on the pitch’ from the away end.
Palace were twice inches from doubling their lead, first when Yeremy Pino fed Sarr who strode forward before thudding a shot against the near post.
Then Jorgen Strand Larsen was given time to turn in the Brentford area and curled his shot against the far post.
Instead, the Bees struck lucky five minutes before half-time when Yehor Yarmoliuk swung in a hopeful ball from the right.
Palace defender Jaydee Canvot got his head to the cross, but the ball smacked Ouattara in the face and ricocheted back past goalkeeper Dean Henderson into the net for the flukiest of goals.
Palace went back in front seven minutes after half-time when Munoz fed the ball back to Wharton on the edge of the box.
The World Cup hopeful shifted the ball to his left foot and fired in a low shot which Kelleher seemed to dive over as it found its way into the net.
Wharton celebrated his big moment, a first Premier League goal, in style with a double somersault in front of the Palace fans.
However, Brentford had the last word when Michael Kayode’s long-throw was flicked on by Sepp Van Den Berg and dispatched by the tireless Ouattara.
PA
