Brentford emerged 3-1 victors at the Gtech on Saturday afternoon after being forced to work hard for the win by a dogged Luton Town side.
It was the proverbial ‘game of two halves’ as 0-0 in the opening period – played out in freezing conditions – saw fans grasping for any excitement. The scene being set in the opening seconds as Neal Maupay was body checked attempting to run on to a bizarre kick-off from the visitors that almost ended in disaster for them. It was an approach we saw repeated by our guests time and again, with ‘keeper Thomas Kaminski also seeing yellow for time wasting.
When the highlight of the first forty-five was it ending then you know it’s bad. Moreso, when what came next was the return of perennial crowd favourite ‘Centre Circle Challenge – albeit minus Peter Gilham’s dead pan commentary and now rebranded as ‘football bowls’.
Such was the dearth of any on pitch action that at one point it seemed as though the biggest danger faced by The Bees was less being shown last on Match Of The Day and more having the ‘highlights’ replaced by a repeat of Mrs Browns Boys. This was in no small part down to an extremely well-disciplined display by a Luton team set up to defend and catch Brentford on the break.
Despite Thomas setting up in an attacking 4-3-3 formation, with Saman Ghoddos initially on the bench but drafted into the starting XI after Kris Ajer had to pull out in the warm up, chances and space were at a premium. Every time The Bees got the ball, Luton were on top of it. Players closed down at every opportunity and the hosts having opportunities restricted to a couple of opportunities from around the box.
One shout for a penalty after handball by Issa Kaboré was as close as it got for Brentford but Andy Madley in the VAR booth decided there was nothing in it. Subsequent viewing suggests otherwise but these days it seems that complaining about the random decision-making system being employed seems as futile a gesture as shouting at the wind.
The second period began with two monumental moments. Firstly, the substitution of Luton’s skipper Tom Lockyer, whose role in directing proceedings and pulling his team mates into position had been critical to the Hatters’ first-half survival. Captain Tom retiring to the sauna like conditions of the changing room rather than enduring frostbite.
Secondly, a prediction from my better half that, “They’ll be knackered after running us so tight. We’ll make the space this time”. She wasn’t wrong.
Just ten minutes into the restart, Brentford were 2-0 up. Firstly, Neal Maupay with a poacher’s finish as Ben Mee’s shot fell kindly via a defender. Then it was Mee himself, getting on the end of a Bryan Mbeumo corner and seeing his header going to the far corner but another kindly touch from our opponents left Kaminski powerless to do anything.
From that moment on it was game over. Despite dominating possession and passes, with Luton left no choice but to open up in pursuit of goals, The Bees were unable to extend the lead further. Instead, it was Jacob Brown who pulled one back himself to make the score 2-1 as we headed in to the final 15. Cripes, this could be interesting.
Yet, honestly, it didn’t even feel close to angsty. Such was the way Brentford had shifted effortlessly through the gears as the game progressed, it continued. Breathing space restored in less than five minutes as Shandon Baptiste combined with KLP to restore the advantage. The goalscorer’s run through the box before getting a second bite of the cherry was the highlight of a persistent move that finally saw the visitors buckle under the pressure.
With that, it really was game over. A late ‘goal’ from Chong correctly ruled out for offside – by the assistant referee rather than any computer drawn lines – was about as close as they got. The moment passed and with that the game was won. Points safely in the bag and supporters able to retreat to the warming confines of the pub or the car. Safe to reflect on a game that had ended in not only another win but also the performance which had seen us produce our most shots (27) and passes (626) from any Premier League game.
It hadn’t felt that way in the first half but whatever Thomas said as the cups of tea were being drunk, clearly worked. Brentford leapfrogging Chelsea in the table and now (at least, on Sunday morning) just three points behind Wednesday evening’s hosts, eighth placed Brighton. Then, it’s another away game at bottom of the table Sheffield United.
All that’s to come but for now we need to look at the star player and top five performances. The quest to find our overall player of the season with five points being awarded for every ‘Star Player’ award, four for second place, three for third etc and then the totals counted up over the course of the 38 games.
As with the Arsenal game, it was another of those where opinion as to the final five – and their running order – will likely be split. Yet, for me there can be no doubt as to star player.
2023-24 Brentford Player Ratings from Matchweek 14 (vs Luton)
1st (Star Player: 5 points) – Christian Norgaard
Christian picks up his second in a row after a performance where, with Mathias Jensen still out injured, his presence was critical. With Luton pressing us hard in the first half, it was the Dane’s eye for the precise that gave those rare moments of attacking intent as he alone seemed able to unlock that tight back line. There he was with the running. With the blocks. With the ball into the box.
The second half seeing him picking out the runners and continuing to dominate on pitch proceedings. Something borne out after the game where the opta stats show him placed first in the count back of touches, tackles, passes in the last third and clearance. Not to mention most yards covered – a staggering 12.2km.
Frustratingly, the yellow card Christian picked up in the 81st minute means he’ll now be absent for the trip to Brighton. He’ll be hugely missed although Jensen’s absence on Saturday could prove to be a real blessing if he is able to return in place.
2nd (4 points) – Ben Mee
Got the second goal – his first in the Prem this season for Brentford. Set up the first. Was here, there and everywhere when the ball did reach our final third.
Let’s not forget the visitors still had 7 shots and a handful of corners, too. It was as much his calmness when Luton did push forward in breaking it down and playing it out that helped exude a sense of confidence throughout. Even with the lead halved, his presence meant it never felt as though The Bees were in any real danger.
Amazingly, and of course injury HAS played a part, this is Ben’s first appearance in the top five this campaign. Here’s to more.
3rd (3 points) – Frank Onyeka
In a game where midfield was key, it is once again Frank Onyeka who makes our top five. Whilst, of course, missing Christian at Brighton will be a blow, The Tank is looking more and more impressive with every game.
Only Christian out tackled him in a game where his distribution was equally key to eventually breaking the resistance of dogged opponents.
As much as anything, his ever-growing importance to this team is shown by the ability to relinquish Vitaly from his midfield berth and allow him to play on the left. Just imagine what we’d do if the squad was fully fit…?
4th (2 points) – Vitaly Janelt
Another cracker at left back from Vitaly. Marauding up the flank, second half especially, he was responsible for most of the balls in to the box and danger threat.
He makes the emergency role into which he has been thrust look so, so comfortable a position. Was equally confident doing the actual defending and whilst there was a slip which allowed Brown to get past him for their goal, he wasn’t alone in having a moment during that move.
Still did more than enough to make top five.
5th (1 point) – Neal Maupay
Ethan was as strong as ever. He can feel hard done by not being included but we had to have Neal.
The celebration showed it all. It was a true striker’s finish to break the deadlock and open the floodgates. To take any pressure that may have been building off the Bees and set things off for what was ultimately a regulation win.
Ivan Toney style, he also did his share at the other end, too, in defending the set pieces and getting the ball moving in the right direction once again
2023-24 Brentford Player Ratings – Top 5 Players Overall (after Matchweek 14)
All of which means that heading into those back to back away games, our top five see the top two stay the same but things getting tighter just behind.
T1st – Ethan Pinnock, Bryan Mbeumo (31 points)
3rd – Christian Norgaard (25 points)
4th – Mathias Jensen (21 points)
5th – Nathan Collins (18 points)
Follow Nick on Twitter @NickBruzon
