No Toney, No Problem!: Brentford Stun Crystal Palace in Premier League Opener | OneFootball

Brentford Edge Crystal Palace in a Premier League Clash Despite Ivan Toney’s Absence

Brentford began their Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace, despite the absence of their talismanic striker Ivan Toney. The Bees, who have seen significant interest in Toney during the transfer window, showcased their depth and resilience against a determined Palace side.

Toney’s Transfer Talks Loom Large

Ivan Toney’s omission from the squad was the big talking point ahead of the match. Manager Thomas Frank confirmed to Sky Sports that the striker was left out due to ongoing transfer interest. When pressed on whether Toney had played his last game for Brentford, Frank admitted, “Who knows? There is interest. It’s not close.” This uncertainty surrounding Toney’s future adds another layer of intrigue as the transfer window edges closer to closing.

Nevertheless, Brentford showed that they are more than a one-man team, with Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa stepping up to fill the void left by Toney. While replacing Toney’s goal-scoring prowess may be a challenge if he departs, Sunday’s performance was a statement of intent from the Bees.

Brentford’s Clinical Display

Despite the off-field distractions, Brentford delivered a ruthless performance on the pitch. Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring in the 29th minute, capitalising on a controversial moment just before. Crystal Palace thought they had taken the lead when Eberechi Eze found the net directly from a wide free-kick. However, referee Sam Barrott had already blown for a foul before the ball crossed the line, denying Palace a crucial goal.

Photo: IMAGO

Mbeumo then took full advantage, weaving through the Palace defence before slotting the ball past Dean Henderson. It was a moment of brilliance that highlighted Brentford’s ability to punish opponents swiftly.

The Bees continued to press, with Kristoffer Ajer forcing Henderson into a sharp save, and Kevin Schade coming close with a curling effort just before the break. New signing Fabio Carvalho also made his debut late in the match, offering a glimpse of what could be a bright future for the young midfielder.

Palace’s Frustration with VAR Decisions

Crystal Palace, on the other hand, will feel aggrieved by a series of decisions that went against them. Eze’s disallowed goal was the first blow, with the referee’s early whistle preventing any intervention from the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Palace’s frustration only deepened when Odsonne Edouard had a goal ruled out for offside after equalising.

The Eagles’ persistence paid off when Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock inadvertently turned the ball into his own net from a Daniel Munoz header, bringing Palace level in the 56th minute. However, they struggled to find a second breakthrough despite testing Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken on multiple occasions.

Brentford Seal the Win

As the match wore on, it seemed destined to end in a draw. However, Brentford found a late winner in the 78th minute, with Yoane Wissa tapping in after Nathan Collins’ header was saved by Henderson. It was a scrappy goal, but one that demonstrated Brentford’s determination to secure all three points.

Palace continued to push for an equaliser, with Adam Wharton and Eze both testing Flekken in the dying moments. Yet, the Bees held firm, and Crystal Palace were left to rue their missed opportunities and contentious decisions.

Looking Ahead for Both Teams

Brentford’s victory sets them up nicely for the challenges ahead, though the looming question of Toney’s future remains unanswered. If he departs, Thomas Frank will need to find a reliable replacement to maintain Brentford’s attacking threat throughout the Premier League season.

For Crystal Palace, this defeat will sting, particularly given the nature of the disallowed goals. Manager Oliver Glasner will be keen to ensure his side bounces back quickly, with a focus on turning their promising build-up play into more consistent results.