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BRENTFORD struck early yet again - and it could now be too late for Gary O'Neil.

No wins from the first seven games adds up to Wolves' worst start since 2003-04.

BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 05: Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford celebrates scoring his team's second goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Gtech Community Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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Bryan Mbeumo celebrates scoring from the spot for the BeesCredit: Getty
Soccer Football - Premier League - Brentford v Wolverhampton Wanderers - GTech Community Stadium, London, Britain - October 5, 2024 Brentford's Ethan Pinnock celebrates scoring their fourth goal Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..
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Ethan Pinnock was among the goals at the Gtech Community Stadium
Soccer Football - Premier League - Brentford v Wolverhampton Wanderers - GTech Community Stadium, London, Britain - October 5, 2024 Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo scores their second goal from the penalty spot Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..
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Mbeumo was in the goals again for Brentford in a thrilling contestCredit: Reuters

And with the away end booing at the end of both halves it would be no surprise if O'Neil became this season's first Premier League managerial casualty.

First-half goals from Nathan Collins, , Christian Norgaard and Ethan Pinnock set up victory for the Bees - who opened the scoring in double quick time for a fourth straight Prem game.

Matheus Cunha and Jorgen Strand Larsen provided equalisers but Wolves are bottom for a reason - they let in far too many.

Sub Fabio Carvalho proved that point with a late fifth for Thomas Frank's side, who kept Wolves keeper Sam Johnstone far too busy.

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There was still time for Rayan Ait-Nouri to net a Wolves' third but an international break is coming up and O'Neil may soon be the latest boss to pay the price for a duff start.

"We're gonna score in a minute!" sang the home fans as the game kicked off - and they were only slightly wrong.

Wolves held out for just 75 seconds when Mikkel Damsgaard crossed for Collins to head past Johnstone.

Manchester City, Tottenham and West Ham had all let in first-minute goals in the Bees' three previous Prem outings.

Frank hailed that as a world record - and the latest early edition saw the wags on Brentford's X account quip: "We are getting slow."

I’m a Premier League star and gave myself a stupid nickname after watching Cool Runnings… it’s still on back of my shirt

Perhaps they shouldn't have as history repeated itself  in another way.

Brentford had failed to hang on to any of those super-speedy leads - and Wolves were level just two minutes later.

Nelson Semedo pulled the ball back from the right for Cunha to convert first time from near the penalty spot.

Wolves continued to make things difficult for themselves by conceding a 19th-minute penalty.

Again Collins was the main character, going down under Mario Lemina's grappling.

Referee Andrew Madley didn't give it initially - but pointed to the spot on VAR Michael Oliver's recommendation.

It was a bit of a soft award but Mbeumo sent Johnstone the wrong way to net his sixth of the season.

Yet again the lead lasted just a handful of minutes however.

Match Stats

This time ex-Wolves man Collins was at fault for a loose pass from inside his own box in the 26th minute.

That allowed Rayan Ait-Nouri to whip in a cross from the left that Strand Larsen expertly guided into a corner from six yards.

Incredibly Wolves decided once again that they didn't fancy parity.

Poor ball retention in their own back line saw Brentford open them up with a couple of rapid passes and Norgaard fired across Johnstone.

Wolves were caught out again in first-half stoppage time when Pinnock was given too much space to head home a corner at the back post.

Boos from the away end greeted the half-time whistle - and chants of "you don't know what you're doing" followed when O'Neil swapped defensive midfielder Andre for attacker Hwang Hee-chan early in the second half.

Wolves rarely looked like scoring but Johnstone remained busy, denying Kevin Schade and Mbeumo before diverting Keane Lewis-Potter's cross for Carvalho to tap in.

Ait-Nouri pulled one back in stoppage-time, bursting through on the left to fire through Mark Flekken's legs but it was far too late.

The away fans booed the final whistle - those who remained that is.

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brentford v Wolverhampton Wanderers - GTech Community Stadium, London, Britain - October 5, 2024 Brentford's Christian Norgaard scores their third goal Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..
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Christian Norgaard scored Brentford's all-important third
Soccer Football - Premier League - Brentford v Wolverhampton Wanderers - GTech Community Stadium, London, Britain - October 5, 2024 Brentford's Ethan Pinnock scores their fourth goal Action Images via Reuters/Peter Cziborra EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..
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Ethan Pinnock's header came just before half-time to give Brentford a 4-2 lead
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 05: Rayan Ait-Nouri of Wolverhampton Wanderers scores his team's third goal whilst under pressure from Vitaly Janelt of Brentford during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Brentford Community Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Jack Thomas - WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)
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Rayan Ait-Nouri's late consolation did nothing to stop Wolves crashing to defeat
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 05: Gary O'Neil manager / head coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers walks over to the fans after the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Gtech Community Stadium on October 05, 2024 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
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Gary O'Neil has much to ponder with Wolves rock bottom of the Premier League

The away section was completely deserted as Brentford players did a lap of appreciation for their own following.

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Now O'Neil must see if he still retains the backing of his employers at a time when Wolves sit isolated at the bottom of the table, below Southampton on goal difference only.

No such problems for Frank of course - it is only the Bees number-crunchers who are in trouble when the Dane asks them to check for the most goals in the first two minutes this week.

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