GW36: Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Brentford FC
Ivan Toney Keeps Bees promotion hopes alive
Abbie Thomson
Date Published: Wednesay 13th March 2021
Ivan Toney’s first half penalty takes Brentford back up to second, as the Bee’s win away at Ewood Park.
​
Toney scored his 26th goal of the season, in what was the only goal of the game, taking Brentford to 10 points behind Norwich City.
Image Source: Evening Standard
During a rainy night in Blackburn, Thomas Frank’s Bees took the game when a foul from Tariq Fosu, rewarded Brentford with a penalty.
The Brentford boys were playing on fresh legs due to their unexpected rest, due to a COVID-19 outbreak in their camp. This shone through in the first half, with Brentford having complete control of the game, with the return of Christian Norgaard, strengthening their attack.
10 minutes into the game, Toney’s ball to Fosu created a foul from Rovers’ Darragh Lenihan. Which was subsequently, the only goal of the match.
Toney stepped up to take the shot, giving Thomas Kaminski little chance, sending him the wrong way.
It was a first half lacking chances, played mostly in the middle third, which saw Brentford hold onto the majority of the ball.
Image Source: Sky Sports
Blackburn became an increased threat in the second half after making two attacking changes, including bringing on newcomer, on loan from Liverpool, Harvey Elliot.
Joe Rothwell injected some energy into the game for Rovers, as he ran straight through the middle, looking for Elliot. His ball was denied by Bees centre back Ethan Pinnock.
Toney had another chance after taking a quick free kick beyond the halfway mark, as he tried to catch Kaminski off his line, but the ball landed on top of the net.
Blackburn became a lot more threatening when they introduced more attacking players, pushing further forward, but were unsuccessful in their chances. Rovers have now had no home wins in their past 5 league games, and have had one win, in 10 games.
Bad luck kept coming for Blackburn, with a string of injuries in the second half. Lewis Travis only managed a few minutes before having to be replaced.
Injuries kept coming when Bradley Dack, who has only been back playing for a few months following an injury, got injured during stoppage time.
The Rovers player tried to intercept the ball and collided with David Raya, who attempted to make a clearance.
After a long time of treatment Dack was stretchered off, which Tony Mowbray stated after the game, was a suspected ACL injury.
The Blackburn Rovers midfielder had only returned in December after being out for 12 months following a previous ACL injury on the opposite knee. Earlier in the game Dack had created a good chance for his team with a shot that Raya just managed to tip over.
After the game Blackburn Rovers remain in 14th place.
Post-match Tony Mowbray was only focused on Dack as he said “It doesn’t look good, our medical staff seem to think it’s a bad one and he’s on gas in the dressing room at the moment.
“Bradley’s really precious to this club and it’s really sad at the moment because he’s in a lot of pain.”
Brentford’s Thomas Frank explained that “It was a very beautiful, ugly win. Under extremely difficult circumstances, pouring rain and a difficult pitch to play on.
“No complaints, it is what it is, we need to deal with it. I think the players showed top attitude, put a lot of hard work in, which ended in a good solid defensive performance”.
Man of Match – Ivan Toney - Scored the only goal of the game, attacked very well and also created some very near chances. Very close between Toney and Christian Norgaard tonight, on his return Norgaard visibly strengthen Brentford's attack.
AT
Watch the full match highlights, provided by Brentford FC: