Having failed to record a win in the Premier League since their three-goal thrashing of Fulham in mid-August, Thomas Frank’s Brentford welcomed Burnley to the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday.
BRE: Flekken; Janelt, Pinnock, Collins, Ajer; Jensen, Nørgaard, Onyeka; Wissa, Maupay, Mbuemo
BUR: Trafford; Taylor, O’Shea, Al-Dakhil, Roberts; Berge, Cullen; Odobert, Amdouni, Trésor; Foster
Neal Maupay thought he had handed Brentford an early lead after just eight minutes in West London, nodding Nathan Collins’ cutback past James Trafford – but with Kristoffer Ajer found to be offside, the Frenchman was denied the opener.
The Bees would take the lead before the half-hour mark though, with Yoane Wissa arriving to smash Bryan Mbuemo’s low cross past Trafford at the near post with 25 minutes on the clock.
Embed from Getty ImagesHaving registered the assist for the opening goal, Mbuemo found his way onto the scoresheet with just over an hour elapsed. Maupay’s pass was steered expertly into the top corner, with Trafford unable to deny the fabulous forward.
The visitors should have reduced the deficit through Luca Koleosho, although the youngster saw his scuffed effort trickle wide of the post as a rare opportunity to find the back of the net went amiss for Vincent Kompany’s men.
With Connor Roberts dismissed for a second yellow card offence, Saman Ghoddos made full use of Brentford’s newfound numerical advantage, smashing a powerful strike into the corner from the edge of the penalty area with just three minutes of regulation time remaining.
Brentford now move six points clear of the relegation zone ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge next weekend, while Burnley linger in the drop zone as they prepare for a long journey to Bournemouth.
