Sizzling Samba star Thiago finds his feet but super-sub Tolu bites back to rescue basement boys
BY OUR SPORTS REPORTER AT THE GTECH
IGOR THIAGO thought he’d written the script for a perfect Samba celebration, but rock-bottom Wolves refused to follow the plan as super-sub Tolu Arokodare snatched a dramatic point in a Monday night thriller.
On the very day he received his first-ever call-up to the Brazil squad, Brentford’s goal-machine Thiago looked set to power the Bees into the European spots. But Rob Edwards’ gritty Wolves, staring down the barrel of relegation, showed they still have plenty of teeth, fighting back from two down to leave West London with a 2-2 draw.
BRAZILIAN BRILLIANCE
The Gtech was buzzing early on as the Bees swarmed their visitors. The breakthrough came on 22 minutes when Michael Kayode—a summer arrival making his mark—rose highest to nod home a peach of a cross from Keane Lewis-Potter.
Then came the moment the home fans wanted. Dango Ouattara, looking sharp and dangerous, latched onto a booming ball from keeper Caoimhin Kelleher, showed a touch of pure class, and squared for THIAGO to tap home his 19th of the season. At 2-0, it looked like a stroll in the park for Keith Andrews’ men.
ARMSTRONG’S ANSWER
But Wolves found a lifeline just before the break. Adam Armstrong, who has struggled for service this term, reminded everyone of his quality by rifling a spectacular effort into the top corner from the edge of the box.
The goal transformed the visitors. Armstrong rattled the woodwork early in the second half, and the introduction of Angel Gomes gave Wolves the creative spark they’d been missing.
TOLU TO THE RESCUE
With 13 minutes left, the comeback was complete. Joao Gomes whipped a dangerous ball to the back post where giant substitute Tolu Arokodare—only on the pitch for five minutes—bullied his way through to head past Kelleher.
The drama didn’t end there. Arokodare nearly won it when his second header thundered off the crossbar, while at the other end, Bees sub Reiss Nelson missed a sitter in stoppage time, heading wide with the goal at his mercy.
Brentford stay 7th, missing a golden chance to leapfrog the big boys, while Wolves remain 12 points adrift—but after this showing, nobody is counting them out just yet.
STAR MAN: Igor Thiago (Brentford)
The Brazilian was a constant menace and capped off a life-changing day with a typical poacher’s goal.
