A game that had it all ended up with Brentford taking the points after trouncing Burnley 3-0 at the Gtech on Saturday afternoon.
It was a win that will be remembered for two wonderful second half goals – first Bryan Mbeumo and then Saman Ghoddos with an absolute screamer – but, in truth, it was the team performance from our injury hit Bees that was as pleasing. Moreso given the performance from young Trafford in goal for Burnley. The England U-21 keeping things vaguely respectable for a team who set up deep, inviting Brentford to come forward. No second request was needed – Brentford went for it from the off
With Thomas opting for a back four that included Vitaly Janelt on the left and Frank the Tank starting in the centre, the play was dominated by an insatiable desire to push up. Neal Maupay, making a first start in his second spell, was clearly a man with a point to prove.
His eighth minute opener was chalked off by our good friends at VAR for an apparent offside by Kris Ajer as the ball was played in by Nathan Collins – ahead of him – to drop it on to Maupay’s head. Stuart Atwell on VAR duties ruling that one out and, whilst it was eventually to be of no material consequence in this game, was yet another example of how this system continues to infuriate players and supporters alike.
Just over half way through the opening period the lead was confirmed legitimately. Maupay freed Mbeumo whose equally well-weighted pass fell perfectly for Wissa. Trafford was given no chance from close in and the deadlock finally broken. It had been coming but was still a relief to see pressure converted. To see opportunity taken. 1-0 Brentford and Burnley barely involved, albeit the returning Mark Flekken had to pull off one smart stop. The ‘keeper diving to his left to preserve the lead.
The start of the second period saw The Bees weathering a slight resurgence from the visitors but as storm-clouds gathered overhead, it began raining goals at the Gtech.
First up, Bryan Mbeumo who capped off a flowing move involving Onyeka and Ajer. He hit a delightful tee up from Maupay first time to leather it in to the top left corner from just outside the edge of the box. It was a finish of the highest quality – an absolute thunderbolt – and a clear contender for goal of the season. Saman Ghoddos, however, had other ideas.
With Burnley down to 10 men and having previously spurned a glorious chance to halve the deficit (how Luca Koleosho managed to steer the ball wide of the post from yards out rather than guide it in to the gaping net, a mystery to rank alongside the longevity of the England Supporters’ band. Both are inexplicable) the Iranian Messi decided to show just how deserving of that nickname he is.
A cross in from Norgaard was headed clear of the box but only as far as that man Ghoddos. He caught it on his chest, the ball fell towards the ground and as the crowd exhorted him to ‘Shoooooott’, he let it bounce once before catching the sweetest of strikes twenty-five yards out from goal. Curling away from the despairing dive of Trafford, the ‘keeper could only watch the ball as it flew past him into the back of the net. 3-0 Brentford and game over.
The smile on his face said it all. It was a grin that was still present an hour later where a chance encounter with our man of the moment gave the opportunity to talk though it once more. If anything, it was one of the moments like Reading away in 2015 where Ryan Woods scored an absolute worldie, only to see Sergi Canos eclipse that effort with his own.
Whichever your favourite – and for me it is Saman’s – both goals are worth watching again and again.
All of which means Brentford ended the day with a second win of the season and the chance to overtake our next opponents, Chelsea, at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. The Blues are just two points ahead, sitting in the top half of the table. With at least Aaron Hickey set to return, that one is going to present Thomas some interesting choices as to his next team selection. If nothing else, the late cameos from Yegor Yarmolyuk and Michael Olakigbe (again) suggest his squad has more depth than the casual observer may suspect.
That’s for then. For now, the regular look back at the top five for Brentford in our quest to find the overall player of the season. 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.
2023-24 Brentford Player Ratings from Matchweek 9 (vs Burnley)
1st (Star Plyer: 5 points) – Bryan Mbeumo
What a performance from Bryan. What a strike for our second goal. We’ve all seen it by now but it is one of those that deserves another viewing. Or two.
If the star player was to be decided solely on the quality of the strike then Saman would be taking all five points home. Just. Yet as much as anything else, it was Bryans’ all round performance that scoops the honours this time around.
His ball to free Wissa for the opener was as unselfish as they come. Bryan could well have been forgiven for taking a shot himself but instead put teamwork ahead of any speculative effort. The goal he did get speaks for itself but for me his award is as much about the sheer amount of running he did down the right. Not just his stamina but his speed.
In addition, there was the interplay with Neal Maupay through the middle. One could see what work had been done on the training ground as they read each other’s game to the letter. The pass and move between the pair of them (and also Wissa) suggesting that with extended game time together, Brentford will only continue to benefit.
2nd (4 points) – Neal Maupay
Wow. What a (second) home debut for Neal. That he didn’t get on the scoresheet is almost a moot point, such was his contribution to the overall team effort aswell as his individual performance.
The VAR decision to chalk off his opener is one I’m still struggling with. Ajer’s ‘involvement’ was tenuous at best but it didn’t deter Neal. If anything, perhaps inspiring him to greater efforts. Certainly, he was chomping at the bit with Trafford’s finger tips still smarting even now after tipping one over in the opening period.
For me, it was his all-round contribution to the team that set Neal apart. His pass to Bryan was the catalyst for our opening goal. Whilst Bryan gets the ‘assist’ points, it was Neal’s vision which split the Burnley midfield and got the move flowing.
Again, the ball to Bryan which preceded our second was pure teamwork. Neal served it up to him on a plate, with the generous gift being gratefully accepted. The third goal much like the first, where his work in the build-up (this time with Wissa) set up the telling delivery that culminated in another netbuster.
My personal preference in this game is to Bryan but Neal ran him very, very close for that star man award.
3rd (3 points) – Yoanne Wissa
Back to his very best. Wissa had shown signs that he was back in the zone at Manchester United last time out. This time around he was well and truly on fire.
Like Bryan it wasn’t just the goal but the energy expended. The desire to run at the opposition and constantly looking to create chances was key to our dominance. It was Wissa who was wrestled to the ground when busting through at 2-0 that resulted in Connor Roberts being invited to take an early bath. That he still possessed such a threat with the scoreline comfortable and little over ten minutes remaining shows just how hard he fought.
The goal was taken well but we’ve seen them missed before. Something the visitors themselves demonstrated. They’re only easy when they go in and, thankfully, Wissa made no mistake.
All three of the attacking trio played out of their skins – not to mention showing a wonderful understanding of each other – and so easily take the top three spots. Here’s to more of the same at Chelsea
4th (2 points) – Frank Onyeka
This is where things get tricky. It’s one of those lovely problems to have that so often come from a dominant performance. From an all-round team effort. It’s not to suggest that anybody who missed out did badly or is less deserving of inclusion, but those who are picked did that little extra that lives on in the memory the morning after the night before.
For me, Frank had a great game in the middle. He was the obvious selection, especially after some strong appearances from the bench in recent games, the second Vitaly was drafted into his defensive role.
He didn’t disappoint – not just in his breaking up those rare sorties forward from the opposition but as much his own attacking play.
I thought Frank got involved in a lot and now gives Thomas another ‘headache’ for when Aaron Hickey returns at Stamford Bridge.
5th (1 point) – Vitaly Janelt
It could have been Jensen (oh, that turn in the second half). It might have been Saman (The Sergi Canos song may now need a rewrite).
In the end, I’ll give it to Vitaly and as much because he made playing in an unusual position look as comfortable as one could hope for. Moreso given those who normally fill it.
Burnley were set up to defend rather than attack but that’s not to say they didn’t have their moments. Having a player in an unfamiliar defensive position would be an obvious area to try and exploit but whenever called upon, Vitaly stood firm.
Sometimes it was cultured. Sometimes it was an industrial ball forward. There was even breaking into midfield and up the flank. However, the net result was a clean sheet for Brentford and further reminder of just how versatile, not to mention critical, Vitaly is to our squad. Very much an unsung hero.
2023-24 Brentford Player Ratings – Top 5 Players Overall (after Matchweek 9)
All of which means that our player of the season contenders remain the same. A rare absence from the top-five for Ethan Pinnock still sees him in front but Bryan now goes joint second with Mathias Jensen.
1st – Ethan Pinnock (21 points)
T2nd – Mathias Jensen, Bryan Mbuemo (17 points)
4th – Christian Norgaard (12 points)
5th – Nathan Collins (10 points)
Follow Nick on Twitter @NickBruzon
