A touchdown to mark two milestones for Ivan Toney. Another one to seal the win for Brentford and maybe secure their place on a plane away from here in a few weeks time.
Where that leaves Toney in Gareth Southgate’s thoughts will become clear next Thursday, when the England manager names his squad for Qatar.
Is this all true? The forward can’t do much more.
Toney now has eight goals in 10 Premier League appearances this season – only Erling Haaland sits above him on the goalscoring charts after this brace for Brighton on an emotional and occasionally hectic Friday night.
Ivan Toney boosted his England credentials with a brace against Brighton on Friday
David Raya put in a superb display in goal for the home side and made some saves
The result sends Brentford into the top half after going three games without a win
Toney’s second required nerve, to beat Robert Sanchez from the spot after a Joel Veltman foul. His penalty record for Brentford now stands at 20 from 20. Toney’s first goal needed some cheek and confidence. He marked his 100th Brentford appearance with a 50th league goal for the Bees.
Chance came from the ingenuity of Bryan Mbeumo and the industry of Frank Onyeka. The finish was all Toney – after a smart run at the front post, the forward flicked a backheel through the legs of Adam Webster and in.
The win, just Brentford’s second in eight games, moves them within three points of the top four. It was a strong statement after last week’s record defeat to Newcastle.
Toney scored his first goal with a cheeky strike and doubled the lead from the penalty spot
For Roberto De Zerbi, meanwhile, the wait continues. Their record now reads: one draw, two defeats. No Brighton manager has failed to win any of their first three league games since 1987; few teams will have 72 percent possession and 21 shots and walk away with nothing.
“To win a game you have to score,” De Zerbi said. This is where the best strikers earn their support.
“I always look at myself as the best player on the pitch, you have to have that mentality whoever you’re up against,” Toney said. ‘I feel good. I’m ready to go. Obviously, everyone is talking about England.
Southgate handed Toney a first call-up last month, but the striker is still waiting for his first selection. “Obviously I was disappointed not to move on, but you have to keep working hard,” he said.
Defender Ethan Pinnock was a vital cog for the Bees and made some big blocks
‘You are playing with the best of the best. Without having a big head, I didn’t feel out of place. I felt like I was ready for that step … whenever I get a chance to get minutes, I’m ready to take my chance.”
That should come soon, even if Southgate hasn’t mentioned the World Cup. ‘I really don’t expect him to. Now I’m a man and I keep doing what I know best: scoring goals and doing well for the team.”
Toney’s sublime finish just before the half-hour mark sent this place into a frenzy. Until then, most of the noise and color had come from the pockets of Brighton fans.
Brighton defender Joel Veltman scored the penalty for Brentford’s second goal
“Oh Enock Mwepu,” they chanted from the start. Over and over, for almost 15 minutes. It was one of several tributes to the 24-year-old midfielder, who was forced to retire this week due to an inherited heart condition. “We wanted to win the game for him. We’re sorry,” De Zerbi added.
The outside was lined with Zambian flags. Among those who have one? Brighton owner Tony Bloom. He had a decent view as the outstanding David Raya kept Brighton at bay, tipping over a Moises Caicedo rocket and keeping out Veltman’s close-range effort.
Brentford created little until Mbeumo sent a volley over the crossbar. He then assisted Toney to open the scoring. Some quick feet saw Mbeumo leap into space and feed Onyeka who found his striker.
Both coaches were booked in the first half after an argument on the touchline
It was beautiful football; the rest of the first half less. There were flames and a flurry of cards. Including one for Frank and De Zerbi. They squared off and both benches emptied, after Veltman confronted Frank.
The Brentford boss smiled once the drama was over. His opposite had less reason to smile. De Zerbi was a bundle of energy and frustration even before this game got away from Brighton. They had started the second half well before Veltman allowed Toney to give Brentford space.
“Everybody’s trying to get into my head, but I’m going away,” the forward said of his penalty routine. “I think I’ll be on the beach with a cocktail and put it in the back of the goal.”
DATA OF THE MATCH
BRENTFORD (4-3-3): Streak 7.5; Ajer 7, Pinnock 7, Mee 7, Henry 6.5 Henry (Ghoddos 87), Onyeka 7 (Baptiste 71, 6), Janelt 6.5, Jensen 6 (Dasilva 80, 6); Mbeumo 8 (Canos 80, 6.5), Toney 8, Wissa 6.5 (Roerslev 70, 6)
Subs not used: Cox, Zanka, Ghoddos, Lewis-Potter, Damsgaard
Goals: Toney 27, 64
Yellow: Jensen, Baptiste
Red: None
Manager: Thomas Frank 7
BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1): Sanchez 6; Veltman 4, Webster 6, Dunk 6.5, Estupinan 6.5 (Mitoma 45, 6.5); MacAllister 6, Caicedo 7; March 7, Gross 6 (Lallana 68, 6), Trossard 5 (Undav 69, 6); Welbeck 6.5
Unused subs: Steele, Lamptey, Sarmiento, Enciso, Gilmour, Turns
Objectives: None
Yellow: Caicedo
Red: None
Manager: Roberto De Zerbi 6
Referee: Michael Salisbury 7