Pinnock, Toney gain EPL promotion after play-off win

National defender Ethan Pinnock will be an English Premier League (EPL) player next season, as his Championship club Brentford defeated national forward Jamal Lowe's Swansea City 2-0 in the Championship play-off pinal on Saturday at Wembley Stadium.

Reggae Boyz target Ivan Toney, the league's top goalscorer, gave Brentford the lead from the penalty spot in the 10th minute after Bryan Mbeumo was fouled in the box by Swansea goalkeeper Freddie Woodman. The goal was his 33rd of the season. Brentford swiftly doubled their advantage 10 minutes later through Emiliano Marcondes, finishing off a great counter-attacking move by Mbeumo and Mads Roerslev. Swansea's golden chance to get back in the game came early in the second half when Connor Roberts' cross found Andre Ayew, but his header went wide of the far post. Lowe had an opportunity to cut the deficit himself, but his shot from a tight angle went wide.

Dangerous challenge

Swansea's problems were further complicated as they were reduced to 10 men in the 65th minute, as Jay Fulton was given a straight red card for a dangerous challenge.

With Brentford's victory, it was redemption for last year play-off final defeat to Fulham. They will become the 50th club to play in the EPL, finally experiencing play-off success after nine previous attempts. For Pinnock, it is his fourth promotion campaign success after previously helping Barnsley to the Championship from League One in 2019, Forest Green Rovers from the National League (fifth tier) to the English League Two in 2017, and Dulwich Hamlet from the Division One South (eighth tier) to the premier division of the Isthmian League (seventh tier).

Brentford will join Norwich City and Watford in the English top-flight next season, as the latter two clubs gained automatic promotion by finishing in the top two of the Championship. Both Lowe and Pinnock, who made their international debuts in March, were originally among the 30-player squad called up for the Reggae Boyz's upcoming three-game international series in Japan. However, both will now not be available for Jamaica.

The Jamaica Football Federation, in a press release on Friday, cited injuries, extended club commitments, documentation issues as well as personal issues as reasons why some players, which include Pinnock and Lowe, would not be available for the games against Japan, Serbia and the Japanese Under-23 team, respectively. The three-game series begins on Thursday against Japan.