Saturday saw Brentford welcoming Leicester City to Griffin Park for what ultimately became the last-ever FA Cup match to be played at the famous old stadium. A momentous occasion and one that we were pleased to be at as part of our ‘Framed’ series.
Emotions were always going to be high at Griffin Park as Brentford – playing their last season at Griffin Park before a move to the newly built Brentford Community Stadium for the 2020/21 season – entertained Premier League side Leicester City for an FA Cup fourth round clash. The likelihood was that, barring an upset, this would be the last-ever FA Cup match to be contested at the 116-year old stadium.
With big games on the horizon for both teams both mangers made nine changes to their teams. Leicester, in serious contention for a top three finish in the Premier League, arrived at Griffin Park in high spirits. And it only took the Foxes four minutes to show their class, Dennis Praet’s exquisite pass in the build up to Kelechi Iheanacho’s opener should not be understated; the highest praise you can give it is to say that it was something you’d expect to see from Kevin De Bruyne. But Brentford to their credit, were not done, and they gave the fans at Griffin Park a show worthy of the occasion.
But for some last ditch defending from Fuchs, some super saves from Ward and the assistant referee’s flag, the Bees would have been back in the game. But it wasn’t to be (no pun intended), and Griffin Park waved goodbye to the FA Cup for the very last time.
Photography by Kieran Clarke for SoccerBible.
