Brentford kicked off the new Premier League season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The Bees received a blow before they had even kicked a ball in anger after Thomas Frank admitted that Ivan Toney had been left out due to a "lot of transfer interest".
Those who did line up for the Bees were relieved to see Eberechi Eze's free kick ruled out after the England international had caught Mark Flekken out at the near post.
Referee Samuel Barrott ruled that a foul had occurred in the box with VAR unable to intervene because the official blew his whistle before Eze's effort had nestled in the net.
To rub salt in Palace wounds, Brentford wasted little time in taking the lead through Bryan Mbeumo, with the forward cutting onto his left foot before firing past Dean Henderson.
The Bees kept hold of their slender advantage to the break, but they ultimately saw their lead cut out in the 57th minute when Ethan Pinnock diverted the ball into his own net as he attempted to deal with Daniel Munoz's knockdown.
However, Yoane Wissa ultimately spared Pinnock's blushes, pouncing on Henderson's parry to tap home a 76th-minute winner to clinch Brentford's first competitive win over Palace since August 1977.
BRENTFORD VS. CRYSTAL PALACE HIGHLIGHTS
Olise's disallowed goal vs. Brentford (26th min)
Eze scores a cheeky freekick but it was ruled out for an infringement in the box! ❌ pic.twitter.com/wVbXBc1teq
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 18, 2024
Mbeumo goal vs. Crystal Palace (29th min, Brentford 1-0 Crystal Palace)
Bryan Mbuemo goes up the other end and opens the scoring for Brentford! 💥 pic.twitter.com/POU6fdSqag
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 18, 2024
Pinnock own goal vs. Brentford (57th min, Brentford 1-1 Crystal Palace)
Palace are level! ⚖️
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 18, 2024
Ethan Pinnock pokes the ball into his own net! 🫣 pic.twitter.com/wl9kJxl7Gc
Wissa goal vs. Brentford (76th min, Brentford 2-1 Crystal Palace)
Yoane Wissa puts Brentford back in front from close range! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/djAEyixH5L
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 18, 2024
MAN OF THE MATCH - YOANE WISSA
1 + 1 - The last three players to both score and assist in three consecutive Premier League appearances have all been African:
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 18, 2024
🇪🇬 Mohamed Salah (Oct 2021)
🇩🇿 Riyad Mahrez (Dec 2021)
🇨🇩 Yoane Wissa (Aug 2024)
Trio. pic.twitter.com/tZYNlqbq39
In our opinion, Wissa edges out his teammate Mbeumo for the Man-of-the-Match award after playing a role in both of Brentford's goals.
The 27-year-old provided the assist for Mbeumo's opener, before he showcased his goalscoring instincts to pounce on Henderson's parry to net the decisive goal.
Wissa's impressive display ultimately helped Brentford offer a real attacking threat despite being without Toney's services.
BRENTFORD VS. CRYSTAL PALACE MATCH STATS
Possession: Brentford 46%-54% Crystal Palace
Shots: Brentford 9-14 Crystal Palace
Shots on target: Brentford 5-6 Crystal Palace
Corners: Brentford 4-7 Crystal Palace
Fouls: Brentford 6-15 Crystal Palace
BEST STATS
Bryan Mbeumo has scored at home in the Premier League for the first time since October last year against Burnley.
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) August 18, 2024
He ends a run of eight league games at the Gtech Community Stadium without a goal. ⚽️#BRECRY pic.twitter.com/zi5tUHC19s
17 - Since the start of the 2021-22 season, only Bukayo Saka (12 goals, 14 assists) has been involved in more goals in Premier League London derbies than Bryan Mbeumo (11 goals, 6 assists). Capital. pic.twitter.com/MLax9uq9E7
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 18, 2024
Today was the 12th different game that BOTH Yoane Wissa & Bryan Mbuemo have scored for Brentford in a Premier League match.
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) August 18, 2024
-----------------------------------
3 Oct 2021 v West Ham
3 Sep 2022 v Leeds
5 Nov 2022 v N Forest
2 Jan 2023 v Liverpool
14 May 2023 v West Ham
20 May 2023... pic.twitter.com/wHEjsjPbx8
WHAT NEXT?
After getting off to a winning start, Brentford will now turn their focus to a tricky away clash against Liverpool next weekend.
Meanwhile, Palace will attempt to produce a positive response when they welcome fellow London side West Ham United to Selhurst Park on Saturday.
No Data Analysis info
