Mbeumo and Wissa step up for Brentford in absence of Toney to edge past Palace

Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa once again stepped up in the absence of Ivan Toney as they fired Brentford FC to a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.

- ANDY SIMS

Toney was missing from the Bees squad, with head coach Thomas Frank admitting he had been left out amid “transfer interest”.

But just as they had throughout much of the forward’s eightmonth ban for breaching betting rules last season, Mbeumo and Wissa filled the void in the Brentford attack to get their season up and running.

Palace were left fuming, however, after referee Sam Barrott controversially disallowed a goal from Eberechi Eze. The midfielder curled a free-kick from out wide directly inside the near post, only for Barrott to penalise Will Hughes for a foul on Nathan Collins.

Replays showed there was no real offence but, according to a post on X/Twitter from the Premier League, VAR Peter Bankes was unable to intervene as the whistle was blown before the ball hit the net.