Christian Eriksen shines in a deeper role for Brentford

There was a moment in the first half which summed up sentiment towards Christian Eriksen. The Dane had just wrestled Brandon Williams to the ground and, in protest at the foul, the Norwich full back grabbed Eriksen in fury.

Williams was about to escalate his aggression when he realised who he was grappling and swiftly ended any fisticuffs to give Eriksen a big cuddle.

Seeing Eriksen on a football pitch again warms the soul. His cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 in June was a reminder of the fragility of life for sports fans around the world.

NORWICH (4-2-3-1): Krul 5; Byram 4, Hanley 5, Gibson 3.5, Williams 4 (Aarons 81min); Normann 5 (Lees-Melou 81), Gilmour 4 (Rowe 76); Sargent 5, McLean 5, Rashica 6; Pukki 6. Scorer: Pukki 90. Booked: Gibson, Hanley. Manager: Dean Smith 5.

BRENTFORD (4-5-1): Raya 7; Ajer 7.5 (Roerslev 75, 6), Jansson 7.5, Pinnock 7, Henry 7; Mbeumo 7.5, Norgaard 7 (Onyeka 59, 6.5), Janelt 7.5, Eriksen 8.5, Canos 7.5 (Wissa 82); TONEY 9. Scorer: Toney 32, 52 pen, 58 (pen).Booked: Ajer, Eriksen, Jansson, Roerslev, Mbeumo. Manager: Thomas Frank 8.

Referee: Anthony Taylor 6.5. Attendance: 26,887.

So, when he signed for Brentford in January, much was made of his return to elite football after the near-tragedy in Copenhagen.

But for a moment, forget the tears and trauma and let’s just spell out what a shrewd piece of football business it was from Brentford — a signing that could transform a season that was threatening to completely derail. 

Before the cardiac arrest, it must be said he was falling out of favour at Inter Milan. 

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