Brentford 3-1 Southampton. Bryan Mbeumo stole the spotlight with two goals in Brentford’s 3-1 victory over Southampton at the Gtech Community Stadium. With former Bees striker Ivan Toney, who recently transferred to Saudi side Al-Ahli, watching from the stands, Mbeumo showcased his goal-scoring prowess alongside Yoane Wissa, who also netted for Brentford.
The opening goal came in the 43rd minute, following a critical mistake by Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis. Harwood-Bellis lost possession deep in his own half, allowing Brentford to exploit the opportunity. Kevin Schade’s shot struck the post before falling to Mbeumo, who confidently slotted it past debutant goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Mbeumo added his second goal in the 65th minute with a superb finish, capitalizing on yet another defensive blunder by Southampton. Just four minutes later, Yoane Wissa sealed the game with a close-range finish, making it 3-0 and effectively putting the match beyond Southampton’s reach.
Southampton managed to score a late consolation goal, with Yukinari Sugawara delivering a powerful strike into the top corner five minutes into stoppage time. This goal was Southampton’s first of the Premier League season.
Earlier, Southampton had missed several opportunities to level the score. Adam Armstrong had a golden chance with a volley, but the ball bounced awkwardly off his standing leg and into the arms of Brentford’s goalkeeper, Mark Flekken. Joe Aribo also came close when his effort deflected off his back and hit the Brentford crossbar.
The result leaves Southampton at the bottom of the Premier League table with no points from their opening three matches, while Brentford’s win propels them into fifth place.
Toney’s Departure and Brentford’s Response
Ivan Toney’s departure from Brentford, confirmed just before this match for a fee of around £40 million, left a significant gap in the squad. Toney’s natural replacement, Igor Thiago, is sidelined for several months due to a knee injury, placing the onus on Mbeumo and Wissa to lead the attack.
Both players rose to the occasion, demonstrating their ability to fill the void left by Toney. When Harwood-Bellis’s error presented the opportunity, Mbeumo and Wissa were quick to capitalize, showcasing their sharp instincts and finishing skills.
Mbeumo’s first goal was a result of his alert positioning and precise finishing, while his second displayed composure and a clinical edge. Wissa’s contribution added further polish to Brentford’s performance as they dispatched the team that had earned promotion through the play-offs.
Brentford’s effective response to Toney’s departure and the impressive performance of Mbeumo and Wissa highlight the team’s resilience and adaptability. As they look to the future without their prolific former striker, Brentford’s performance against Southampton underscores their potential and ambition in the Premier League.
source – BBC