Brentford produced a dominant performance to clinch a 4-0 victory over relegation-threatened Leicester City, helping them claim their first league double over the Foxes since 1952-53.
Leicester took positives from their hard-fought display in a 2-0 defeat against Arsenal, but any confidence built from that performance was quashed by a shambolic first period at the King Power Stadium.
Brentford raced into a three-goal lead without having to move into top gear, as the Bees took full advantage of the home side's feeble defensive effort.
Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo added to their respective tallies, before Christian Norgaard headed home a third to effectively wrap up all three points and send some sections of the home support to the exits with over 10 minutes to play until the interval.
Those that remained in their seats would have been relieved to see Keane Lewis-Potter's effort ruled out for handball, offering the smallest of mercies to Leicester in a forgettable first half.
Brentford hit cruise control for the majority of the second period, but they still managed to add a fourth through Fabio Carvalho to condemn Leicester to a sixth consecutive home defeat without scoring, leaving them in 19th place and two points adrift of safety.
While the pressure mounts on Ruud van Nistelrooy, Brentford boss Thomas Frank will be delighted with the fact that his team have won four consecutive away games, moving them into the top half of the Premier League table.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
This felt like the type of performance that forces a club to seriously consider their manager's future, especially as Van Nistelrooy has now overseen 10 defeats in 11 Premier League matches.
The Leicester boss would have been bitterly disappointed about how easily his side were opened up in a disastrous first half, but in truth, their defensive fragility has been a major problem throughout the campaign.
From Brentford's perspective, they were efficient in the attacking third and were resolute enough at the opposite end of the pitch, although they will be aware that they will not have many easier tests than this between now and the end of the season.
The challenge for Brentford now is to build upon back-to-back victories by putting together a winning run of form which could put them in contention for European qualification.
LEICESTER CITY VS. BRENTFORD HIGHLIGHTS
Wissa goal vs. Leicester (17th min, Leicester 0-1 Brentford)
The Mikkel Damsgaard assist, to the finish from Yoane Wissa! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/DCBwdlBs3P
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 21, 2025
Leicester are the architects of their own downfall. The Foxes lose possession in their own half, before Caleb Okoli fails to deal with Mikkel Damsgaard's through-ball. Wissa capitalises on Leicester's slack defending, sending a left-footed shot into the ground and past the helpless Mads Hermansen.
Mbeumo goal vs. Leicester (27th min, Leicester 0-2 Brentford)
Bryan Mbeumo that is STUNNING! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dUC2zpMyOu
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 21, 2025
It is all too easy for the Bees. Mbeumo collects Damsgaard's pass before being given the time and space to cut inside onto his favoured left foot and curl the ball into the far corner to send the away end into raptures as the home support voice their displeasure with what they are seeing from their side.
Norgaard goal vs. Leicester (32nd min, Leicester 0-3 Brentford)
The goals keep coming for Brentford! 🔥
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 21, 2025
Christian Norgaard connects with a free kick from Bryan Mbeumo 👊 pic.twitter.com/RBIjjmYdMW
Mbeumo adds an assist to his goal. The Cameroon international whips a free kick onto the head of Norgaard, who steers his header past Hermansen to give the Bees an unassailable lead.
Carvalho goal vs. Leicester (89th min, Leicester 0-4 Brentford)
Fabio Carvalho seals the victory for the Bees ✨ pic.twitter.com/GKsOmCV2nu
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 21, 2025
Carvalho caps off a superb evening for the visitors. Hermansen makes a strong save to deny Mbeumo, but his teammates fail to clear from the rebound. The ball ultimately breaks for Carvalho to drive home his second league goal of the season.
MAN OF THE MATCH - BRYAN MBEUMO
The perfect ten 🤌
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) February 21, 2025
A new @premierleague record for Mikkel Damsgaard ✨ pic.twitter.com/aQ6D4F94Zj
Damsgaard pips a couple of his teammates to our Man of the Match award after playing an integral role in a perfect away performance for the Bees.
The 25-year-old provided two assists in a commanding performance in which he showcased his creative talents to open up a creaking Leicester backline.
Wissa also deserves a notable mention for his goal as well as Mbeumo, who registered a goal and an assist in a successful night's work.
LEICESTER CITY VS. BRENTFORD MATCH STATS
Possession: Leicester 47%-53% Brentford
Shots: Leicester 8-14 Brentford
Shots on target: Leicester 3-6 Brentford
Corners: Leicester 5-6 Brentford
Fouls: Leicester 10-10 Brentford
BEST STATS
Brentford players to score 15+ goals in a PL season:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) February 21, 2025
— Bryan Mbeumo this season
— Ivan Toney in 2022/23 pic.twitter.com/cm8nXIajnx
Most PL goals for Brentford:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) February 21, 2025
37 — Yoane Wissa
37 — Bryan Mbeumo
36 — Ivan Toney pic.twitter.com/3fHwwIGCPS
6 - Tonight was Leicester's sixth consecutive home defeat without scoring in the Premier League – the longest ever run of home losses without a goal by any side within a single season in English top-flight history. Bleak. pic.twitter.com/viuURQnYxJ
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 21, 2025
4 - Brentford have won four successive away games in the top-flight for the very first time in their history – it's the longest ongoing away winning run by any current Premier League side. Soaring. pic.twitter.com/kMlvwUznuO
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 21, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
After enjoying another successful away trip, Brentford will now return for two games at the Gtech Community Stadium against Everton and Aston Villa.
As for the Foxes, they will turn their focus to an away clash against West Ham United, before they head into a tricky run of fixtures against Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool.
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