Bee plus for hero Toney
THOMAS FRANK says Ivan Toney will not be sold if Brentford win Premier League promotion after the striker reached a landmark figure to sink Watford.
Toney became only the second player to hit 30 goals in a Championship season since Glenn Murray in 2012-13 as the Bees clinched third place.
Star man Toney stroked home a second-half penalty to reach the milestone in a victory in which strike partner Marcus Forss also found the net.
The former Peterborough man had been stuck on 29 goals since April 10, but this result leaves him and the Bees in high spirits heading into the play-offs.
There is no doubt that Toney has been the star of the campaign, with an everincreasing number of Premier League clubs said to be ready to make a summer bid.
But getting him out of Brentford if they win promotion will not be easy.
Boss Thomas Frank said: “It was an incredible achievement for Ivan to match the record and on top of that he’s made 10 assists – it’s crazy stats.
“There is more to come from him, too, and I know he can play in the Premier League.
“I’m confident we can keep him, 100 per cent. He’s our player and normally we like to keep them for at least two or three seasons. I can’t see a better place than us for him to play.
“If we don’t make it, that will be a decision to make. There are only six to 10 clubs in the world that aren’t selling clubs but if he’s not staying with us he’s going to be bloody expensive!”
Watford, who had already won promotion, ended up second best after both Tom Cleverley and Joseph Hungbo went off injured in the opening 30 minutes.
Only Isaac Success, who hit the bar at 2-0, came anywhere near causing the home side problems and the Hornets’ defeat meant Norwich were crowned champions.
Manager Xisco Munoz said: “Congratulations to Norwich for the title because they are a very good team.
“I’m not disappointed with the result because it was difficult for everyone to put the intensity into the game and we had injuries in the first half.”
The highlight for Watford was a debut for Maurizio Pochettino, 20, son of Paris Saint-Germain and ex-Spurs boss, Mauricio.
BRENTFORD: Raya 7; Jansson 7, Norgaard 8, Sorenson 7; Roerslev 6 (Stevens 89), Bidstrup 8 (Goode 80), Fosu 7, Jensen 7 (Marcondes 80), Canos 7; Forss 7 (Ghoddos 74, 6), Toney 8 (Mbeumo 74, 6). Unused subs: Daniels, Goode, Reid, Janelt, Stevens, Gordon.
WATFORD: Bachmann 6; Cathcart 6, Kabasele 6, Sierralta 6, Masina 6; Cleverley 6 (Success 30, 7), Hughes 6 (Wilmott 85), Gosling 7 (Pochettino 85); Hungbo 6 (Zinckernagel 24, 6), Gray 5 (Perica 85), Sema 6. Unused subs: Foster, Troost-Ekong, Navarro
MAN OF THE MATCH: Ivan Toney. Capped an incredible season and a strong display with his long-awaited 30th goal.
REFEREE: Lee Mason 7.