Toney hat trick, Eriksen helps as Brentford tops Norwich

NORWICH, England (AP) — A hat trick from Ivan Toney saw Brentford claim a vital 3-1 win at last-placed Norwich in the English Premier League on the day Christian Eriksen took another positive step in his remarkable recovery.

Eriksen played the whole match for the Bees on Saturday and had a hand in the first two goals, almost nine months on from his cardiac arrest during the European Championship.

It was Eriksen’s corner which helped set up Toney’s opener in the 32nd before a second set-piece forced a penalty early in the second half, when Ben Gibson caught Pontus Jansson with a high foot.

Toney converted in the 52nd and Gibson’s misery was compounded soon after when he committed another foul inside the area and Toney completed his treble in the 58th.

Teemu Pukki hit a late consolation for Norwich, which was five points adrift of safety.

All eyes were on the team news at Carrow Road and with it came confirmation Eriksen was making his first competitive start since June 12, when he collapsed while playing for Denmark against Finland at Euro 2020.

He was heavily involved early on, setting up two chances for Bryan Mbeumo in a frantic start.

The hosts appeared to have the momentum when Pukki saw a low shot saved by goalkeeper David Raya, with Josh Sargent off target on the turn soon after.

The visitors’ moment was to come, though, with Tim Krul tested sufficiently for the first time just past the half an hour mark when Sergi Canos had a snap-shot tipped behind by the Dutchman for a corner.

It gave Eriksen a chance to display his dead-ball prowess and the Brentford set-piece routine worked a treat to force the opener. Kristoffer Ajer flicked on Eriksen’s near-post corner and Toney was at the back post to volley home.

Norwich