Onyeka was on target as Brentford ended their nine-match winless run to pile more misery on Sheffield United.
Super Eagles star Frank Onyeka came off the bench to score and help Brentford to a 2-0 win in their Premier League match at The Brentford Community Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
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It was Onyeka’s first goal in the Premier League as The Bees strengthened their position in their quest to escape the relegation battle.
Brentford’s first half struggles
Brentford came into the match with no win in nine games, but they were favourites against a Chris Wilder side doomed for relegation.
Thomas Frank’s men did start on the front foot, but it was Sheffield United that had the first chance of the match through Yasser Larouci.
But the Algerian could not connect properly to a ball from Gustavo Hammer. Brereton Diaz was the next Sheffield United player to threaten Brentford’s defence, but the Chilean was denied by Mark Flekeen in goal.
Brentford did step up the gear, though, with Vitaly Janelt going close. However, the German’s tame effort was easily saved by Ivo Grbic.
But despite their dominance, Brentford could not find a breakthrough in the opening half.
Onyeka seals Brentford’s win
The second half started on a promising note for the home side as they dominated right from the restart.
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The Bees thought they had taken the lead in the 55th minute after Zanka slotted in from Mathias Jensen's freekick.
However, the goal was chalked off for offside. But it did not matter, though, as the home side eventually took the lead three minutes after the hour mark, through an own goal from Oliver Arblaster.
The goal calmed the nerves in the stadium, but Thomas Frank’s men pushed for a second to seal the win.
They thought they had it when Mikkel Damsgaard slammed in a volley from Bryan Mbeumo’s cross.
However, the goal was ruled out following a VAR review for a foul in the build-up play. With time running out, Thomas Frank decided to ring changes by bringing on Onyeka for Jensen in the 90th minute.
Onyeka was supposed to come in and protect Brentford’s lead, but he went on to seal the win with a fine finish, slotting past Grbic after a ball from Kevin Schade.
It was Onyeka’s first league goal since joining Brentford, but more importantly, he became the 42nd Nigerian to score a goal in the Premier League.