Ivan Toney makes late breakthrough as Brentford beat dogged Burnley

Described as the proverbial six-pointer beforehand, it was Brentford who emerged to make capital on a nervy afternoon with Ivan Toney scoring two priceless, late goals, including one from the penalty spot. The forward netted a hat-trick last week at Norwich and his late header here dragged the Bees nine points above the danger zone. Hard-working Burnley were further condemned when Nathan Collins was ordered off for impeding Toney for the spot kick.

Brentford were unchanged from their welcome 3-1 win at Norwich City last week, having lost nine of their previous 12 league games, while Burnley’s solitary alteration from the 4-0 home defeat against Chelsea was the return of Maxwel Cornet for Jay Rodriguez. The Clarets arrived in west London still minus influential skipper Ben Mee, out with a knee injury.

Christian Eriksen, meanwhile, was making a first home start for the Bees, who lost the corresponding fixture at Turf Moor in October. Burnley made a bright start with Josh Brownhill curling a 20-yard free-kick inches past the post, before Brentford responded with Bryan Mbeumo needlessly clipping over when presented with a close-range opening.

In the 15th minute, Eriksen, eagerly urged on by the home fans in his quest for a debut goal for the Bees, was expertly denied by Nick Pope after a tantalising shot from the edge of the penalty area. The opening spell ebbed and flowed, with Sean Dyche’s men abandoning caution and in an assertive mood. Cornet, an increasing concern for the hosts, subsequently outstripped Pontus Jansson to shoot an angled effort a yard wide, hinting at genuine promise for the Clarets.

James Tarkowski, one-time Brentford defender, was a commanding presence, nullifying Mbeumo’s bursts from deep in addition