Brentford’s European dream took a step closer to becoming a reality on Monday as Thomas Frank’s Bees beat Fulham 3-2 to cement their place in ninth and move to within a point of the seventh placed Cottagers.
In the Premier League’s Monday night match between the West London rivals we saw two upwardly mobile teams go toe to toe, and the Bees came out on top of a five goal thriller thanks to another stellar performance from talisman Ivan Toney, who converted a 53rd minute penalty to put Brentford in charge.
That made it 22 successful spot kicks from 22 for the Bees hitman and it took him up to third place in the Premier League top scorers list, on 15 for the season and behind only Erling Braut Haaland and Harry Kane.
The hosts made an explosive start when Ethan Pinnock fired them into a sixth minute lead with the help of a deflection off Tim Ream but the Cottagers fought back when Manor Solomon continued his run of form, heading the ball home after Andrea Pereira’s free-kick had hit the post. But the key moment came on 53 minutes when Issa Diop fouled Christian Norgaard and Toney stepped up to send Bernd Leno the wrong way.
Toney exudes confidence with his penalties, with a short run up and his eyes on the goal, not the ball, and he has become one of the best dead ball specialists in the world.
Mathias Jensen made it three, with five minutes remaining and Carlos Vinicius halved the deficit nine minutes into stoppage time, but it was no more than a consolation as Frank’s team ran out winners at SBOTOP odds of 2.02.
The only cloud on the horizon is that Toney faces a ban after breaking FA betting rules but, for now, the Bees are buzzing.
Are the Red Devils out of hiding yet?
We can’t talk about the Premier League 2023 news without discussing the fallout from Liverpool’s stunning 7-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday, a result which sent the red half of Merseyside into sense of disbelief and utter joy, while a cloud of despair gathered over Old Trafford. The seven goal spanking equalled Manchester United’s biggest ever defeat, a mauling at the hands of Wolves way back in 1931.
Manchester United legend, Roy Keane, who never shied away from a fight, was disgusted, saying that he would go into hiding for a few days if he put in a performance like that!
His team’s second half performance was woeful, but Red Devils skipper Bruno Fernandes was singled out for the harshest criticism after he seemingly had a tantrum when Erik Ten Hag failed to substitute him when the sixth goal went in. But as bad as United were, Liverpool were magnificent; the best they have been all season. Cody Gakpo scored two great goals, Darwin Nunez bagged a well deserved brace, Mo Salah became the Reds top Premier League scorer of all time and Anfield legend Roberto Firmino also got on the scoresheet.
The Premier League 2023 betting odds have now installed Liverpool as clear fourth favourites, so a Champions League spot, for the first time this season, is within their grasp. But they do look likely to bow out of the Champions League very soon after being walloped 5-2 by Real Madrid at Anfield.
Manchester United are still in European competition with a Europa League clash against Real Betis looming on Thursday. The La Liga side, managed by Manuel Pellegrini, a Premier League winner with Manchester City, is on a good run of form and drew 0-0 with Real Madrid on Sunday, and the visitors will be no pushover.
This is a serious test of the Red Devils’ mental strength.
Off the field the proposed sale of the club is still featuring in the world business press after the announcement that at least two US private equity funds are willing to buy minority shares in the club, but the Glazer family, who are still not overly keen to sell, look more likely to pass the ownership of the club to one of Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al-Thani or Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The club is set on a full takeover at a value of around £6 billion and both major players are said to be ready to meet that price, so the process is set to continue as the bidders prepare to meet the Raine Group, which acts for the sale. Fans at the famous old club just want this resolved as quickly as possible. While the current owners have shelled out some eye-watering fees on players in recent seasons, the club is still streets behind Manchester City and desperately needs a period of continuous improvement.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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