Bees’ forward pairing blooms as Wolves are brushed aside
TONEY AND MBUEMO STAR AS BRENTFORD TAKE FIRST AWAY WIN
IT was a super Saturday for Brentford as they won on the road for the first time this season, as they emerged victorious with a 2-0 victory against Wolves.
We look at some of the biggest talking points from the game at Molineux.
■ Mbeumo and Toney’s relationship
Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney had a difficult time against Brighton last week, particularly the former who had missed a hatful of chances. However, the duo were absolutely immense from the first to last whistle.
Toney gave the Bees the lead from the penalty spot, but aside from his goal he lead the line superbly. His lung-busting run down the left for Mbeumo’s goal just emphasised how he is more than a goal-scorer, making runs, holding the ball up and making clearances to keep Wolves out in a frantic second half.
The Frenchman might have even celebrated a memorable hat-trick when he curled wide just barely a minute into the second half, as well as hitting the woodwork later on which would have been the icing on the cake.
This performance will have given him a great deal of confidence ahead of the huge visit of Liverpool on Saturday evening.
■ Handling Adama Traore
Adama Traore is certainly one who will catch the eye when Wolves come up against anyone, but the way Brentford dealt with him was absolutely first-class. Against Manchester United he run amok, but against Brentford’s defence he was not afforded the same luxuries.
Throughout the week, Thomas Frank will have be focused on trying to contain the exuberant Spaniard, and whilst he did enjoy some good moments in the first half, Rico Henry and Mads Roerslev (who replaced the former) in particularly dealt with him superbly.
■ A dominant away performance
Considering Wolves came into the contest on the back of victory at Watford, coupled with Brentford losing against Brighton, this was the perfect response by Thomas Frank’s side.
The Bees had only won one of their last five at Molineux, but took their chances to record their first ever Premier League win away from home.
Even when they went down to 10 men, they showed their defensive mettle and even looked a threat going forward, which is something many Bees fans certainly did not expect after Shandon Baptiste was sent off.
Chances came for Wolves, but the Bees backline were heroic in repelling them.
■ Togetherness with 10 men
When Baptiste saw his second yellow card, many would be forgiven Brentford could crack, but they showed immense resilience and togetherness to get through an excruciating 25 minutes.
They did have to weather quite a storm with the home side creating a number of chances despite not testing David Raya hugely, with Traore going close with a teasing cross which trickled across the goal-line.
A special mention to Kristoffer Ajer, who put a goal-saving tackle when Hwang Hee-chan was destined to get Wolves back into the contest which could have very well deflated the Bees – but the Norwegian superbly thwarted the South Korean.