sport news Brentford 3-2 Fulham: Ivan Toney maintains perfect penalty record to provide ... trends now
These are uncharted waters for Brentford and uncertain times in the career of Ivan Toney.
The glimmer of European qualification lies within reach for Thomas Frank’s side, all while the spectre of suspension hangs over their beating heart.
Toney has already accepted some of the 262 charges he faces over alleged betting offences.
What sanctions await remains to be seen. And so, in rocky periods like these, there is particular comfort in all that is certain.
And round here, few things are more nailed-on than the outcome when Toney places the ball down, 12 yards out.
Ivan Toney scored the winner from the spot to take his penalty record to 22 from 22 for Brentford
The threat of suspension looms, but, for now, Toney is in fine scoring form for Brentford
Thomas Frank's side are maintaining pressure on the European places in the Premier League
The striker has now scored all 22 penalties he has taken since joining Brentford. This one was particularly sweet. It came shortly after half-time of a derby against Fulham that, in truth, Brentford should have wrapped up much, much earlier.
They had led through Ethan Pinnock’s early goal and created a hatful of chances before Manor Solomon headed in his fourth goal in as many Fulham appearances.
How the visiting support savoured that. How they had enjoyed goading Toney over the FA’s investigation.
He responded with the vital second goal and a taunt of his own, mimicking the celebration of Aleksandar Mitrovic – just as he did at Craven Cottage earlier in the season.
Toney then had a hand in Brentford’s third, linking up with substitute Kevin Schade, who skinned Antonee Robinson before pulling the ball back for Mathias Jensen to make sure of three points which ensure Brentford are now unbeaten in 12 Premier League games.
Ethan Pinnock netted the opener via a deflection from Tim Ream in the first half of the game
Brentford started quickly and were rewarded for their early pressure in the game
A remarkable run – currently the longest in the division – that leaves them a point behind Fulham and seven points off fourth-place Tottenham, despite having played two games fewer.
Toney’s tally for the season, meanwhile, is now 15 – putting him outright third in the scoring charts behind only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.
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