Diego Costa interrupted nearly six years of goal-scoring as Wolves sting Brentford

Wolverhampton Wanderers took the lead after the first half thanks to Diego Costa's 27th-minute goal. Credit: Action Images/Andrew Boyers Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Brentford 2022-23 Recap

Diego Costa celebrated a long-awaited first goal for Wolverhampton Wanderers before Hwang Hee Chan's decisive goal sent Julen Lopetegui's side out of danger of relegation . .

The hosts scored 34 points, seven points clear of third-placed Nottingham Forest, as a third consecutive loss cast a shadow over Brentford's waning hopes of European qualification.

Brentford could have opened the scoring four minutes before Costa's goal, while Josh Dasilva was guilty of a serious miss.

Ivan Toni's shot deflected in his path from the defender, but the Brentford midfielder could only poke goalkeeper José Sa and the crossbar from close range.

The moment Wolves fans feared would never come came 27 minutes after a move that Costa himself started.

Former Spain striker, signed as a free agent by previous manager Bruno Lage in September last year, fed Toti. down the left flank and moved into the box to receive a pass from a defender.

His first touch was rusty, but fate favored the 34-year-old when Christian Norgaard fielded his boot and only succeeded in preparing Costa for a low trip for Raja .

It was his first Premier League goal since 21 May 2017, 2,155 days ago, and the first since he scored for Atlético Mineiro against Corinthians in his native Brazil on 16 November 2021.

Brentford got lucky when Raya seemed to clear Toti right in the box after a terrible back pass early in the second half.

Referee Paul Tierney, however, said there would be no penalty and the var Stuart Attwell confirmed the decision. Attwell was chief referee at Tottenham last week when PGMOL apologized to Brighton for not awarding an obvious penalty.

The win was confirmed in the 69th minute when another Brentford player inadvertently put the ball in- ty. scored a goal.

Matheus Nunes missed four opponents on his way from the right flank into the Brentford box. Ethan Pinnock put out his foot to interrupt the pass, but substitute Hwang pounced on the net.

Tony saw the ball bounce off the crossbar in stoppage time, but it was too late for Brentford

. p> Wolverhampton Wanderers — Brentford lineups 2022-23