Jay Fulton red card: ‘Disastrous’ tackle all but ends Swansea’s play-off final as Brentford seal historic win
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Swansea’s chances of mounting an unlikely comeback against Brentford in the Championship play-off final were all but dashed when Jay Fulton was sent off.
First-half goals from Ivan Toney and Emiliano Marcondes had given the Bees a commanding lead and Toney nearly put things beyond doubt when his volley cannoned off the underside of the crossbar, bouncing on the line but then clear.
However, Fulton made sure that the Swans, who were attempting to do something only one side in history has done in a play-off final and come from two goals behind to win, were facing even more of an uphill battle when he attempted to dispossess Mathias Jensen with 25 minutes left in the game.
The Scottish defender jumped in with both feet off the ground and referee Chris Kavanagh had no hesitation in producing a straight red card, with Fulton admittedly apologetic to his opponent for the challenge.
“It’s a disastrous attempt to win the ball,” former defender Andy Hinchcliffe said on Sky Sports’ coverage.
“You just can’t afford to do this. It’s dangerous, he knows he’s done wrong and it’s a really painful one.
“It’s the last thing that Swansea need. They made a real go of it start of the second half and now it looks a hopeless task.”
Manager Steve Cooper tried to convince the referee and fourth official that Fulton, who played a minor role in the squad that was relegated from the Premier League three years ago, had slipped rather than jumped, but there was to be no reprieve with the play-off final not using a video assistant referee (VAR), although even that would probably not have saved him either.
More to follow.