Keane Lewis-Potter scored twice in the second half as Brentford condemned Wolves to a 10th consecutive Premier League defeat, leaving them bottom at Christmas with just two points. Caoimhín Kelleher saved a late penalty from Jørgen Strand Larsen to ensure the visitors took all three points from Molineux.
Wolves, who have now lost 10 league matches in a row – a club record – are in dire straits. Only three teams have previously lost 10 successive Premier League games, and all finished bottom. The atmosphere reflected the despair, with fans chanting against owners Fosun and displaying banners declaring 'our club'. Before kick-off, a minute's silence was held for Ethan McLeod, the Wolves trainee who died in a car accident.
The week had seen unpopular chairman Jeff Shi replaced on an interim basis by Nathan Shi – no relation – as the club attempts to arrest its slide. Manager Rob Edwards, who has lost all six matches in charge, insisted on unity. 'We’re all in this together,' he said. 'Everybody will be aligned. We can’t give up. We have to keep believing and hope that things will turn.'
Brentford dominated possession, unusual for Thomas Frank’s side, but struggled to create early chances. The first shot on goal came after 31 minutes. Lewis-Potter broke the deadlock in the second half, capitalising on a communication error between Ladislav Krejci and Santiago Bueno after Vitaly Janelt’s chip. He then volleyed a second from Mikkel Damsgaard’s pass.
Wolves’ only real chance came from a penalty awarded for a Matt Doherty foul, but Strand Larsen’s poor spot-kick was saved by Kelleher. 'A good example of what he’s capable of,' said Brentford assistant Keith Andrews of Lewis-Potter. Edwards lamented the defensive lapse: 'There’s always that one big mistake round the corner.' Wolves now face an uphill battle to avoid relegation, with their plight described as historic incompetence.
