Brentford reaches playoff final in bid for EPL promotion

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<p>LONDON &mdash; Brentford is one win away from promotion to the Premier League after beating 10-man Bournemouth 3-1 in the second leg of their playoff semifinals to advance 3-2 on aggregate.</p>
<p>The west London team advanced to the playoff final and will face either Swansea or Barnsley at Wembley Stadium in one week. The Swans were taking a 1-0 advantage into their second leg later Saturday.</p>
<p>The playoff final determines the third team to win promotion from the second-tier Championship, after league champion Norwich and runner-up Watford.</p>
<p>Bournemouth led by a goal from the first leg and took the advantage to 2-0 when Arnaut Danjuma scored after just five minutes in front of 4,500 fans at Brentford Community Stadium.</p>
<p>But Ivan Toney, whose 31 league goals this season set a Championship season record, calmly netted from the penalty spot 10 minutes later to begin Brentford’s comeback.</p>
<p>Bournemouth went to 10 men just before the half-hour mark when defender Chris Mepham was given a straight red card for taking down Bryan Mbeumo, who was headed in alone on goal after dispossessing Mepham.</p>
<p>With the man advantage, the Bees controlled play and it seemed a matter of time until the goals came. Vitaly Janelt scored five minutes into the second half to even the aggregate score, and Marcus Forss scored the winner in the 81st.</p>
<p>Brentford has not played in the top tier since 1947 and returns to Wembley less than a year after losing the playoff final to Fulham.</p>
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