Christian Eriksen: Brentford midfielder makes first appearance since cardiac arrest

The emotion was tangible as Christian Eriksen walked on to complete one of sport's most remarkable comeback stories 52 minutes into Brentford's meeting with Newcastle United.

Brentford manager Thomas Frank had promised Eriksen would see action here 259 days after he suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for Denmark against Finland at Euro 2020 in June.

The day so many had waited for did not quite go to plan, when Brentford went down to 10 men early on in the game and eventually lost 2-0.

However, although the timing was not ideal with the Bees already 2-0 down, Eriksen's arrival on the pitch was something that rose above sport.

Brentford's fans had celebrated every moment of Eriksen's presence, from when he ran out to warm up at 14.21, to when he did a brisk trot down the touchline during the first half and then when he received his final instructions from Frank's coaching staff.

As he entered the action, the whole stadium rose in recognition, in joyous delight, to see this most classy of players and personalities restored to full health and doing what he loves. Something that seemed a distant prospect on that dark day in Copenhagen on 12 June.

There was symmetry, too, as the player he replaced was fellow countryman Mathias Jensen, the man who took his place on the night the action resumed between Denmark and Finland in June.

Newcastle's fans, in high spirits as their side dominated, generously joined in the standing ovation. Ryan Fraser touched Eriksen's hand while Jonjo Shelvey and Joelinton joined the applause.

In the football context, this was a grim day for Brentford as this latest loss made it eight games without a win and saw relegation fears increase. The bigger picture was that this was a great day to see