Swansea 1 Brentford 0
Andre Ayew’s superbly-worked goal earned Swansea City a 1-0 victory over Brentford in their Championship playoff semi-final first leg at their Liberty Stadium on Sunday.
Ayew had earlier had seen his penalty saved just past the hour mark before Brentford had Rico Henry sent off.
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Swansea then swarmed all over Brentford seeking a crucial lead to take into the second leg next week and got it when Ayew fired into the top corner after an intricate build-up.
Brentford, who have not been in the top flight since 1947, missed out on automatic promotion on Wednesday when they lost at home to Barnsley, meaning West Bromwich Albion finished runners-up behind Leeds United.
Swansea crept into the playoffs after a remarkable final round of fixtures in which they beat Reading 4-1 and jumped above Nottingham Forest, who lost 4-1, on goal difference.
Promotion to the Premier league is worth an estimated £170 million. Cardiff City take on Fulham in the other semi-final on Monday night.