Brentford strikers Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa shone in Ivan Toney’s absence, combining to score the Bees’ first goal of the 2024–25 Premier League season to give them the lead against Crystal Palace at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Mbeumo charged onto Wissa’s clever pass, broke into the box on the right and slammed home a ruthless finish in the 29th minute for a side that was without England striker Toney amid speculation he was on the verge of being sold.
The Cameroon international showed quick thinking and quick movement to beat one of the stars of the Three Lions’ path to the UEFA Euro 2024 final, Marc Guehi, who Newcastle had bid against three times in pre-season.
IN WORKING CONDITION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
🐝 1:0 🦅#BRECRY | @london_pride pic.twitter.com/u5R1Fcx1zW
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) 18 August 2024
Eze: Disallowed goal
There was controversy at the start of the half when Eberechi Eze scored a sensational free kick which was disallowed following a video assistant referee (VAR) review due to a foul by Will Hughes.
Palace made the better start and Eze came close earlier when the playmaker fired a free-kick around the Brentford defensive wall and narrowly missed.
The hosts would have taken a 2-0 lead shortly after Mbeumo’s goal if goalkeeper Dean Henderson had not made a brilliant save to deny defender Kristoffer Ajer’s shot.
Transfer of Ivan Toney
Before the game, Brentford manager Thomas Frank said there was “a lot going on” regarding Toney’s possible departure.
Toney’s contract expires in less than 12 months and he has been linked with a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli. “I can’t give too much away,” Frank told Sky Sports.
“The referee had a nightmare. It is a monumental mistake” 😲
Jamie Redknapp feels ‘so sorry’ for Eberechi Eze after his free kick was disallowed ❌ pic.twitter.com/H5INFz2L7E
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) 18 August 2024
“Ivan is a top player, we all know that. He was fantastic for us for four years, but last season we showed that we can manage without him.”
Frank said he did not know if Toney had played his last game for Brentford and suggested a deal with another club was “not in the cards”.
Toney scored four goals in five games after returning from an eight-month ban for breaching the FA’s gambling rules in January.
The former Peterborough, Newcastle and Northampton Town player failed to score a single goal in his 12 other club games last season.
