Brentford missed out on a place in next season’s Europa Conference League despite Ethan Pinnock’s late goal earning the Bees a narrow victory that ended Premier League champions Manchester City’s 25-match unbeaten run.
The Bees needed to win and hope that Aston Villa and Tottenham both dropped points to clinch a seventh-place finish, but Unai Emery’s side beat Brighton while Spurs cruised to victory over Leeds at Elland Road.
Pinnock, who signed a new four-year contract with the club on Saturday, sent a low drive into the bottom corner after Kevin Schade’s teasing cross was headed into his path by Bryan Mbeumo.
Cole Palmer forced David Raya into a one-handed save early in the first half, before Ben Mee and Vitaly Janelt went close for the home side at the other end.
Brentford felt they should have been awarded a penalty after half-time when the ball appeared to strike Rico Lewis’ arm following a goalmouth scramble, but VAR failed to intervene.
Brentford are just the third team to do the Premier League double over Manchester City in a season in which they were crowned champions, after Chelsea in 2013-14 and Tottenham last season.
