Brentford 2-2 Crystal Palace: Dango Ouattara rescues Bees twice to keep European hopes alive
Report and free highlights as Brentford draw 2-2 with Crystal Palace; Ismaila Sarr put Palace ahead from spot after Caoimhin Kelleher brought him down; Dango Ouattara equalised against run of play after Palace twice hit post; Adam Wharton scored first Palace goal before Ouattara levelled
Sunday 17 May 2026 18:17, UK
Dango Ouattara was Brentford's saviour as they twice came from behind to rescue a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace - and keep their European chances alive.
Palace thought they were hanging onto a 2-1 lead when Ouattara headed home in the 88th minute from Michael Kayode's long throw, after Sepp van den Berg flicked it on cleverly.
It was previously the Adam Wharton show, as the Palace midfielder's first goal for the club put them on cruise control in west London.
The England midfielder had gone 93 games without a goal for the Eagles but his drive that went through Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher looked to have settled the London derby contest in west London.
His cartwheel and somersault celebration made it a goal worth waiting for but Ouattara was on hand again late on for the Bees to ensure they took a point.
Wharton's earlier strike was part of a poor day for Bees goalkeeper Kelleher, who conceded an early penalty by tripping Ismaila Sarr after just a few minutes.
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Referee Sam Barrott initially gave a corner, but was sent to the monitor to overturn the decision.
Sarr converted his 21st goal of the season, matching Andy Johnson's Palace record for most goals in all competitions during a Premier League campaign.
Palace should have been further ahead as Sarr and then Jorgen Strand Larsen hit the post - before Brentford equalised in fortunate circumstances.
Yehor Yarmoliuk's cross was cleared by Jaydee Canvot into Ouattara's head - the Brentford striker knew nothing about it as the ball then flew into the net.
But Palace - through their midfield maestro Wharton - were back ahead early in the second half as Wharton struck from the edge of the area via Kelleher's mistake.
Brentford tried to find a way back in but Palace were relatively comfortable. That was until Ouattara's late leveller - which preceded a whopping TEN minutes of stoppage time.
The Bees nearly won it as both Kevin Schade and Igor Thiago blazed efforts over the bar from inside the box - as the spoils were shared.
The result is a slight disappointment for Brentford after Manchester City winning the FA Cup on Saturday meant eighth place is now a European spot. The Bees still hold onto that position, but will lose it ahead of the final day trip to Liverpool if Chelsea beat Tottenham on Tuesday, live on Sky Sports.
Brentford will probably have to beat Liverpool - in Mohamed Salah's farewell match on the final day - to stand a chance of Europe.
Can Brentford beat Liverpool on the final day to get Europe?
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews to Sky Sports:
"Who knows? I haven't had time to look at the table. We only really focus on ourselves.
"I've seen it all season, the way we train and the way we are. We didn't perform to our levels today but the character was there in abundance. I have no doubt that will be there next weekend against Liverpool.
"I knew it was a special group, that was the most exciting part of getting the job. We have earned the right to be where we are. A really special group."
Analysis: Wharton can easily be the star of the summer
Sky Sports' Sam Blitz at the Gtech Community Stadium:
"One more year, one more year, Adam Wharton" sang the Crystal Palace fans. But the England midfielder was putting in a display that will surely see him sought after this summer.
Against Brentford, Wharton was doing everything right. His forward-thinking passing ability was creating chance after chance in a dominant half for the Eagles. But his off-the-ball work was noticed too, topping Palace players for ball recoveries in a breathless 100 minutes in west London.
A lot has been made about Elliot Anderson ahead of a crucial summer for England's World Cup and in the transfer market. But Wharton has shown he can easily be the star of the summer.
As he did at Brentford, if he can add goals to his game he will be the perfect all-round midfielder. Whoever doesn't get Anderson knows there is a more than capable alternative in Wharton this summer.
Wharton: Goal has been a long time coming
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton to Sky Sports on his first goal as an Eagles player:
"It has been a long time coming. Delighted, shame we fell short at the end to get the three points but it's a good feeling.
"A bit too many [games to wait for a first goal] I should have scored before. It's probably the worst shot I've had but it goes in and I'll take it.
"I'll keep having bad shots and hope it goes in. We take it and it was a good performance. We have had a lot of games, we were getting tired, but proud of the performance against a team pushing for Europe.
"A draw is not a terrible result and we're looking at the performances more importantly right now [with a European final on the horizon]."
