PIGGYBACKS & BLANKETS
Cosy Bees just ‘pillow’ perfect
BRYAN MBEUMO ended a three- month goal drought in spectacular style as Brentford put down a big promotion marker against Reading.
Thomas Frank’s Bees, who agonisingly missed out after losing the play-off final last season, have again built serious momentum with a 13-match unbeaten run.
And yesterday 16-goal Ivan Toney got a day off scoring duty as French forward Mbeumo netted twice in six first- half minutes after drawing a blank for 13 weeks.
That came after Mathias Jensen opened the scoring thanks to a howler from Rafael Cabral – and substitute Sone Aluko’s second- half header was a consolation for the Royals but nothing more.
Early pacesetters Reading slipped out of the top six for the first time this season after this defeat.
They have now taken just 11 points from their last 12 games. But after seeing his were found badly wanting buzzing Bees climb to a after just 11 minutes. season-high fourth, Frank Sergi Canos flicked the said: “I enjoyed the goals a ball inside to Jensen who lot today. advanced towards the area
“The second was a top and shot from 18 yards. It effort and it was great to see was a routine save for Rafael Bryan’s left-foot pass it into – but somehow the Brazilian the net and see him back on keeper allowed the ball to the scoresheet. squirm over the line.
“And Bryan’s second, and The home side piled on our third, was the one I’ll be more agony 12 minutes thinking about when I put later thanks to a magnifimy head on the pillow cent strike from Mbeumo. tonight – that is how I want He wasted no time in us to play. grabbing his second after
“He is still young, and being put through by Toney there are fine margins with on 29 minutes. scoring goals. A bit of luck or Aluko pulled one back confidence here and there, with a glancing header from but today’s goals were pure Michael Olise’s cross. quality. I never lost faith.” Reading boss Veljko
Reading were without 20 Paunovic said: “We goals of firepower with both weren’t looking at the Lucas Joao and Yakou Meite table closely when we absent. However, it was in were seven points clear, defence where the Royals and we won’t now.”
Raya 7; Fosu 6, Sorensen 6, Goode 6, Henry 6 (Thompson 46, 6); Jensen 7,
Janelt 7, Dasilva 7 (Marcondes 64, 6); Mbeumo 8 (Ghoddos 64, 6), Toney 7, Canos 7 (Forss 77).
Unused subs: Daniels, Norgaard, Pressley, Stevens, Haygarth.
Rafael 3; Esteves 5, Moore 6, Morrison 5, Holmes 5; Rinomhota 5, Laurent 5;
Semedo 5 (Aluko 61, 7), Olise 6, Ejaria 6; Baldock 5.
Unused subs: Southwood, McIntyre, Bristow, Watson, Dorsett, East, Onen, Melvin-Lambert.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Bryan Mbeumo. Big mystery how he hadn’t scored since September, but emphatically put that right here.
REFEREE: Keith Stroud 7.