Match ends, Brentford 2, Bolton Wanderers 0.
BrentfordBrentford2BoltonBolton Wanderers0
Bolton remained just a point above the Championship relegation zone after defeat at in-form Brentford.
Winger Florian Jozefzoon finished from close range to put the Bees ahead after latching onto Lasse Vibe's pass.
And Jozefzoon was then denied by Jak Alnwick after Vibe's delivery left him with only the keeper to beat.
But Neal Maupay ensured Brentford extended their unbeaten run to 13 home league games when he fired in from close range in the closing stages.
There were few first-half chances before Jozefzoon opened the scoring, but the game burst into life after the break, with Brentford enjoying most of the pressure.
Former Arsenal midfielder Nico Yennaris was unlucky when the ball dropped to him inside the area and his effort took a deflection before cannoning back off the post.
Ollie Watkins had earlier drilled wide from 15 yards after meeting Romaine Sawyer's cushioned header, and Jozefzoon flashed his shot wide of Ben Alnwick's goal.
The Bees remain 11th in the Championship table, but move to three points behind sixth-placed Sheffield United.
Brentford boss Dean Smith said:
"At 1-0 I always felt very comfortable that we'd end with a clean sheet. They put a lot of balls into our box and were a threat at set-pieces so keeping the ball out of the back of our net means a lot.
"We've won four of our last five league games and have worked our socks off today. I'm pleased with that win because at 1-0 we didn't try to force it too much but stayed patient and disciplined against a physical Bolton side.
"Our game management has improved with experience since the start of the season and the boys have learned. We now have Romaine Sawyers playing at the top of his game and Kamohelo Mokotjo playing a higher role, and as they do the other boys follow."
Bolton Wanderers boss Phil Parkinson said:
"We got in a lot of good positions and I thought we deserved something from the game right up to the end, when we gambled and put three up top.
"The scoreline flattered Brentford but their goal just before half-time knocked us back a bit and gave them a spring in their step. Despite that, we had spells where we put them under real pressure and I think the fans who stayed and clapped us off at the end could see that.
"Brentford like to start quickly at home so we tried to slow the game down and silence the crowd, and I thought we did that very well and actually got on top of them. The aim once they scored was to stay in the game for as long as possible, which is what we did.
"The resources we have to work with compared to other teams means we are way off in terms of money, but in terms of character we are right up there, as we saw today. They are a great group of lads who give their all in every single game and I can't ask any more than that."
Line-ups
Brentford
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Bentley
- 8Yennaris
- 33Mepham
- 5Bjelland
- 29Barbet
- 15Woods
- 12Mokotjo
- 7JozefzoonSubstituted forCanosat 77'minutes
- 19Sawyers
- 11Watkins
- 21VibeSubstituted forMaupayat 86'minutes
Substitutes
- 4MacLeod
- 9Maupay
- 10McEachran
- 17Marcondes
- 20Clarke
- 28Daniels
- 47Canos
Bolton
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 13Alnwick
- 2LittleBooked at 22minsSubstituted forWilbrahamat 84'minutes
- 31WheaterBooked at 42mins
- 5Beevers
- 15RobinsonBooked at 83mins
- 6Vela
- 17Derik
- 10AmeobiBooked at 90mins
- 20CharsleySubstituted forBuckleyat 55'minutes
- 22MoraisSubstituted forLe Fondreat 68'minutes
- 14MadineBooked at 67mins
Substitutes
- 3Taylor
- 8Karacan
- 9Le Fondre
- 11Buckley
- 18Wilbraham
- 23Darby
- 33Howard
- Referee:
- Andy Davies
- Attendance:
- 9,507
Match Stats
Home TeamBrentfordAway TeamBolton
- Possession
- Home67%
- Away33%
- Shots
- Home20
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away4
- Corners
- Home6
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home6
- Away11
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Brentford 2, Bolton Wanderers 0.
Booking
Sammy Ameobi (Bolton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Ollie Watkins (Brentford) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Sammy Ameobi (Bolton Wanderers).
Goal!
Goal! Brentford 2, Bolton Wanderers 0. Neal Maupay (Brentford) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Sergi Canos.
Post update
Attempt missed. Sergi Canos (Brentford) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Ollie Watkins.
Post update
Foul by Andreas Bjelland (Brentford).
Post update
Adam Le Fondre (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt missed. Kamohelo Mokotjo (Brentford) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Neal Maupay.
Post update
Attempt missed. Mark Beevers (Bolton Wanderers) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Josh Vela with a cross following a set piece situation.
Post update
Foul by Chris Mepham (Brentford).
Post update
William Buckley (Bolton Wanderers) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Brentford. Neal Maupay replaces Lasse Vibe.
Substitution
Substitution, Bolton Wanderers. Aaron Wilbraham replaces Mark Little.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Booking
Antonee Robinson (Bolton Wanderers) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Delay in match Chris Mepham (Brentford) because of an injury.
Post update
Chris Mepham (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Antonee Robinson (Bolton Wanderers).
