Ivan Toney netted his 20th goal of the season as Brentford beat Bristol City 3-2 to extend their unbeaten run in the Championship.
It was the visitors however who took the lead inside the first 120 seconds of the game, when recently recalled debutant Owura Edwards won a free kick on their left-hand side. Jack Hunt whipped in an inviting cross which found its way to Zak Vyner at the back past who stretched to apply the finishing touch.
Fresh after a 7-2 win over Wycombe Wanderers last time out, the hosts looked eager to get a goal of their own to level the scoreline, and this is exactly what happened just before the half an hour mark.
Tariqe Fosu forced former Brentford player Alfie Mawson into a mistake which allowed the midfielder to fizz in a cross that was tipped away from Toney by David Bentley, but instead fell to Canos who calmly side-footed his effort into the net.
City defended well throughout the first half, and stood firm against what is a fluid and expansive Brentford side who are unbeaten since October.
But Thomas Frank’s side continued to mount pressure on the visitors in the second 45, before Toney took matters into his own hands and gifted the West London side a deserved lead. Fosu was involved again as he threaded the ball to the Englishman who hammered his effort home, collecting his fourth goal in two games.
Brentford’s third and winning goal was almost a carbon copy as Fosu again proved to be provider, he picked up his third assist of the game this time dispatching Sam Ghoddos. The 27-year-old looked to have missed his chance as he smacked the crossbar, but the ball fell straight back to the Swede who at the second attempt flashed it past Daniel Bentley.
Substitute Nahki Wells scored a consolation goal in the 90th minute when he was found inside of the box and put his chance past an unhappy David Raya. There were several appeals from the Bees players as Wells looked to have been offside.
Buzzing @BrentfordFC!#EFL | #SkyBetChampionship pic.twitter.com/A4OrR6QfJB
— Sky Bet Championship (@SkyBetChamp) February 3, 2021
This result sees Brentford leap ahead of Swansea City into 2nd place in the Championship table with both teams having played the same amount of games (26). As for the Robins, they remain mid-table, only three points off a play-off position.
The Bees will visit Neil Warnock’s well-drilled Middlesborough side on Saturday, a tough task for Thomas Frank’s side despite Boro’s poor recent form.
In comparison, Dean Holden’s men will be happy to be returning to home turf after their poor away form this season, they welcome Cardiff City to Ashton Gate in the Severnside Derby on Saturday and will be hoping to turn around their recent run. The Robins are entering a tough period of games with Watford and Reading in the coming weeks.
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