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| Ivan Toney of Brentford celebrates after scoring the team's second goal from a penalty kick during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Fulham FC at Gtech Community Stadium on March 06, 2023 in Brentford, England. |
Brentford’s impressive Premier League season continued as they overcame west London derby rivals Fulham at the Gtech Community Stadium to keep their hopes of European football very much alive.
Bees’ striker Ivan Toney was the talisman once more, making it 22 successes out of 22 from the penalty spot for Brentford as they closed to within three points of sixth-placed Newcastle United.
Toney is playing under a cloud as he faces a ban after accepting breaking Football Association betting rules, but he was outstanding here as Brentford secured a deserved three points.
Thomas Frank’s side made a lightning start and could have scored three times even before Ethan Pinnock’s shot deflected off Tim Ream to put Brentford ahead after only six minutes.
Fulham are having an outstanding season of their own, and they finally gained a foothold before drawing level six minutes before the break when Israel forward Manor Solomon continued his rich vein of form, heading in the rebound after Andreas Pereira’s free-kick struck the post.
Brentford regained the momentum, with both Bryan Mbeumo and Toney hitting the woodwork with free-kicks, and were awarded a 53rd-minute penalty when Issa Diop fouled Christian Norgaard.
Toney, as is his custom, beat Bernd Leno with ease.
Mathias Jensen sealed the win from close range five minutes from time following good work by Kevin Schade with Carlos Vinicius’ stoppage-time goal for Fulham nothing more than a consolation.
