Mbeumo goal as Bees buzz without Toney

Brentford forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa shone in Ivan Toney’s absence by combining for the Bees’ first goal of the 2024-25 Premier League campaign to put them ahead against Crystal Palace at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Mbeumo surged onto Wissa’s clever pass, entered the penalty area on the right and smashed in a ruthless 29th-minute finish for a side operating without England forward Toney amid speculation that he is about to be sold.

The Cameroon international showed speed of thought and feet to beat one of the stars of the Three Lions’ run to the final of Uefa Euro 2024, Marc Guehi, who was the subject of three bids from Newcastle during pre-season.

UP AND RUNNING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

🐝 1-0 🦅#BRECRY | @london_pride pic.twitter.com/u5R1Fcx1zW

— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) August 18, 2024

Eze disallowed goal

There was controversy earlier in the half when Eberechi Eze had a sensational strike from a free-kick disallowed following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) check because of a foul by Will Hughes.

Palace made the brighter start and Eze had earlier gone close when the playmaker bent a free-kick around Brentford’s defensive wall and narrowly wide.

The hosts would have gone 2-0 up soon after Mbeumo’s strike, though, had goalkeeper Dean Henderson not denied defender Kristoffer Ajer with a fine save.

Ivan Toney transfer

Speaking before the match, Brentford manager Thomas Frank said there are “a lot of things going on” over the potential departure of Toney.

Toney is out of contract in under 12 months and has been linked with a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli. “I can’t give too much away,” Frank told Sky Sports.

“The referee has had a nightmare. It’s a monumental mistake” 😲

Jamie Redknapp feels ‘so sorry’ for Eberechi Eze after his freekick was ruled out ❌ pic.twitter.com/H5INFz2L7E

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 18, 2024

“Ivan is a top player, we all know that. He has been fantastic for us for four years but we showed last season that we can cope without him.”

Frank said he did not know whether Toney had played his last game for Brentford and suggested that a deal is “not close” with any other club.

Toney scored four goals in five matches after returning in January from an eight-month ban for breaking FA gambling rules.

The former Peterborough, Newcastle and Northampton Town player did not net during his subsequent 12 club appearances of last season.