Wolves pile up good vibes in 4-1 win at Brentford

Hee-chan Hwang scored his ninth and 10th goals of the Premier League season as Wolves rode a trio of first-half goals to a 4-1 win at Brentford’s Community Stadium on Wednesday.

Mario Lemina scored off another Pablo Sarabia assist as part of three goals in the first 16 minutes. Hwang made it 2-0 before Yoane Wissa pulled one back for the Bees, then the South Korean star restored the two-goal cushion before halftime.

WATCH BRENTFORD v WOLVES FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM

Jean-Ricner Bellegarde scored late to salt away the win, as Brentford back Nathan Collins endured an infamous evening against his former team.

Wolves are onto 25 points, good for 11th on the Premier League table. Brentford sinks into 15th place, their 19 points just four clear of the bottom three. The Bees have a match-in-hand with their game against Manchester City postponed due to the Club World Cup.

What’s next?

Wolves host Everton at 10am ET Saturday, the same time as Brentford’s trip to Crystal Palace.

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Brentford vs Wolves final score: 1-4

Goals: Lemina (13'), Hwang (14', 28'), Wissa (16'), Bellegarde (79')

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Brentford vs Wolves player ratings

(from fotmob.com)

Brentford vs Wolves player ratings (from fotmob.com)

Brentford vs Wolves player ratings (from fotmob.com)

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Jean-Ricner Bellegarde goal: Wolves take lead to three

Bellegarde nets Wolves' fourth goal v. Brentford

Jeanricner Bellegarde tucks away another goal for Wolves as they lead 4-1 against Brentford late in the second half at the Gtech.

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Brentford vs Wolves halftime analysis: 1-3

Well, that was busy.

The four-goal half saw three markers come between the 13th and 16th minutes, as Wolves raced out to a two-goal lead and recollected that advantage after Yoane Wissa puts the Bees on the board.

It’s been even in terms of game flow, and the teams have combined for more than three expected goals (1.78 for Wolves).

Red-hot Hee-chan Hwang limped off before halftime, so there won’t be a hat trick for the South Korean star. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde took his place.

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Hee-chan Hwang goal (video)

What a deft touch!

Mario Lemina powers a loose ball from midfield toward the box, and Hwang quickly turns it toward goal.

He flicks the ball around Ethan Pinnock, and belts it past Mark Flekken.

Hwang makes it 3-1 for Wolves v. Brentford

Hee-chan Hwang scores his second goal of the first half to give Wolves a two-goal cushion against the Bees at the Gtech.

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Three goals in four minutes!!

What a chaotic stretch at the Brentford Community Stadium.

Mario Lemina thumps a back post header home, and Brentford gifts Hee-chan Hwang and Wolves a second goal within a minute of restart.

Just when the Brentford crowd was lamenting that state of affairs, the Bees pull off a pretty goal as Yoane Wissa gets behind the Wolves back line to push a ball past Jose Sa.

2-1, 16'

Hwang doubles Wolves lead over Brentford

Just a minute after taking the lead, Wolves are now 2-0 up over Brentford thanks to Hee-chan Hwang's strike in the 14th minute at the Gtech.

Lemina gives Wolves 1-0 lead over Brentford

Mario Lemina's header is enough to give Wolves the lead against Brentford early in the first half at the Gtech.

Wissa pulls one back for Brentford against Wolves

Brentford responds to Wolves' two quick goals as Yoane Wissa reduces his side's deficit to just one goal with plenty of time left in the first half at the Gtech.

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How to watch Brentford vs Wolves live, stream link and start time

Kick off: 2:30 pm ET, Wednesday (December 27)
TV Channel: Peacock
Online: Stream via Peacock Premium

Brentford lineup

🐝 Your Bees to take on Wolves#BREWOL pic.twitter.com/menMj5P5Kg

— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 27, 2023

Wolves lineup

☝️ One change from #WOLCHE
🇺🇾 Santiago Bueno comes into the XI
🔙 Neto returns to the matchday squad

How we line-up to face @BrentfordFC.

🐺📋 @AstroPay_OK pic.twitter.com/7a1jcryAPk

— Wolves (@Wolves) December 27, 2023

Brentford focus, team news

The Bees just can’t catch a break with injuries this season and Thomas Frank’s side have done a wonderful job to keep themselves away from the relegation picture as we enter the midway point. With Ivan Toney’s return coming up soon, Brentford fans will be hoping they can kick on in the second half of the season. If, of course, Toney isn’t sold in the January window.

OUT: Ben Mee (suspension), Bryan Mbeumo (ankle), Ivan Toney (suspension), Rico Henry (torn ACL - out for season), Kevin Schade (adductor), Aaron Hickey (hamstring), Kristofer Ajer (foot), Frank Onyeka (suspension), Josh Dasilva (hamstring)

Wolves focus, team news

O’Neil has a very settled lineup but Dawson limping off against Chelsea last time out will be a concern. Jose Sa looked very rusty in stages during the game against Chelsea but that’s understandable given his time out with a shoulder injury. Overall, Mario Lemina and Joao Gomes do a great job to hold things together in midfield and Wolves’ attackers are always ready to hit teams on the counter and they’re dangerous from set pieces too.

OUT: Jonny (disciplinary - club), Joe Hodge (shoulder) | QUESTIONABLE: Craig Dawson (knee), Pedro Neto (thigh), Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (illness)