Brentford kicked off their Premier League campaign with a resounding 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace, despite the absence of star striker Ivan Toney. The Bees’ triumph was orchestrated by goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, while Crystal Palace’s lone goal came from an own goal by Ethan Pinnock.
Brentford manager Thomas Frank had opted to leave out Toney amid speculation linking him with a move to Saudi Arabia. However, the Bees proved they could cope without their talisman, as they showcased the depth and resilience that characterized their impressive 2021/22 season.
The match began with a moment of controversy as Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi was caught out of position, allowing Mbeumo to race onto Wissa’s pass and fire home the opening goal. Palace responded with a flurry of attacks, but their efforts were thwarted by a combination of Brentford’s resolute defense and some questionable refereeing decisions.
Eberechi Eze had a brilliantly executed free-kick ruled out for a foul, while Odsonne Edouard’s goal was chalked off for offside. Brentford, however, remained unfazed and doubled their lead when Wissa bundled home a rebound after Dean Henderson parried Nathan Collins’ shot.
Palace continued to press for an equalizer, but Brentford’s defense held firm, with goalkeeper Mark Flekken making several crucial saves to deny Eze. The Bees’ victory was a testament to their collective spirit and tactical discipline, as they showed they can compete with the Premier League’s top teams even without their star striker.
