Ivan Toney scored penalties and life, death, and taxes. The Brentford striker could face a six-month suspension for allegedly breaking betting regulations. But his 22nd consecutive successful penalty kick ensured Thomas Frank’s side took the bragging rights in this west London derby between two of the Premier League’s underperforming clubs.
While Marco Silva’s side had major cause to complain about the penalty being awarded by referee Anthony Taylor after Manor Solomon had canceled out Ethan Pinnock’s deflected opening goal with his fifth goal in successive matches, Brentford made it 12 unbeaten and moved to within a point of Fulham in seventh having played two games less after Mathias Jensen added a late third and a consolation from substitute Carlos Vinícius.
After a week in which Toney asked the Football Association to investigate leaked reports about his potential punishment. The England striker did his communicating with his feet, scoring 15 goals in the Premier League, second only to Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.
Brentford is one of three teams in the top five European leagues. Along with Borussia Dortmund and Reims, to stay unbeaten in 2023. Frank, who called Toney “the best penalty taker in the world,” may lead this team further.
Regarding their chances of participating in some form of European football next season. He said, “I believe it is up to us to fantasize, but we must remain laser-focused.”
While not typically recognized as one of London’s most hostile derbies, there has been a growing rivalry between the two clubs separated by six miles ever since Fulham triumphed after extra time at the Championship playoff final in 2020. Their only previous top-flight meeting in August was the first victory of the season for Silva’s side. Who have already amassed 39 points. The most by a promoted team after 25 matches in a Premier League season since Wigan Athletic in 2005-06.
After falling behind in the sixth minute, it appeared unlikely that they would add to their tally. But Solomon’s latest goal on his full league debut brought them level at the break. Silva was not pleased with the decision to award the penalty. But he acknowledged that it was not the reason his team had lost. “It was severe – in a derby like this, you have to have aggression,” he said. “The penalty caught me off guard, but the outcome was our error.”
Toney tested Bernd Leno after Andres Pereira carelessly surrendered possession before Bryan Mbeumo should have done better with two golden opportunities, missing the target from Rico Henry’s cross and then being denied by Leno’s outstretched legs.
Fulham failed to clear the subsequent corner, although there was an aspect of good fortune. When Aaron Hickey’s shot was blocked directly into the path of Stephen Pinnock. Whose shot deflected off Tim Ream to leave Leno with no chance.
Ivan Toney spot on as Brentford sink Fulham in deserved derby win
Mbeumo was incredibly unlucky to see his curling free-kick narrowly miss the post as Brentford kept up the pressure before Toney struck the post with another fantastic free kick from a similar position, which relieved Leno extremely relieved to see rebound away to safety.
Five minutes before halftime, Solomon reacted faster than Mbeumo to Pereira’s free kick. Which had hit the inside of the post and headed into the empty net. Fulham has made a habit of finding a way back into games this season.
Sasa Lukic made his full league debut in the absence of the suspended Joo Palhinha in midfield. The Serbian was fortunate not to be shown a second yellow card. It is when he hauled down Yoane Wissa on the stroke of halftime.
Perhaps that judgment was in the back of Taylor’s mind when Christian Nørgaard was caught by Issa Diop following a long throw into the Fulham penalty area at the start of the second half. After a moment’s hesitation, the referee pointed to the spot and despite Wissa initially feigning he would take it. Toney stepped up to maintain his perfect penalty record since joining Brentford in August 2020.
The 26-year-old came within millimeters of doubling his tally following a daring lob from just inside the Fulham half that sent Leno scurrying back in desperation. Toney was also involved in Jensen’s goal that wrapped up the points five minutes from time after fine work from substitute Kevin Schade and Fulham’s traveling supporters were long gone by the time Vinícius fired home the rebound from Pereira’s shot.
