Brentford 2-4 Preston North End: Lilywhites fight back to stun Bees
- Published
Scott Sinclair has three league goals in four games this term, as many as he scored throughout last season
Scott Sinclair's quick-fire double inspired a sensational Preston second-half fightback to sink Brentford.
Summer signing Ivan Toney put the Bees 2-0 up, sliding home Josh Dasilva's low cross before collecting Bryan Mbeumo's pass to smash past Declan Rudd for his third goal in two games.
But Sinclair struck twice after the break to level, stroking home Patrick Bauer's knockdown before converting Andrew Hughes' low centre at the near post.
Brad Potts completed the 11-minute turnaround, curling a shot inside the left-hand post before Sean Maguire added a fourth, swivelling to finish after Ben Davies headed down Ryan Ledson's corner.
It was a first league win of the season for Preston, who moved level on points with the Bees after four games.
Thomas Frank's home side, buoyed by their Carabao Cup win over west London rivals Fulham - their third Premier League scalp en route to the quarter-finals, were soon into their stride in an open first half.
Dasilva was a particular threat on the left and having teed up Toney's opener, he tested Rudd with an effort from the edge of the box, before Mbeumo ballooned a shot over when well-placed.
Alex Neil's men, who have yet to keep a clean sheet this season, responded well, with Alan Browne forcing Luke Daniels to save his fiercely struck volley, only for Toney to land a sucker-punch before the break.
The Lilywhites had found the net just three times in their opening six games, but stunned the Bees with four goals in 18 second-half minutes.
Said Benrahma, who has yet to start in the league this season for the Bees amid speculation over his future, came off the bench and almost revived home hopes by launching a rapid break but Dasilva fired inches wide.
The visitors comfortably held out for only a second victory in their past 15 visits to Brentford.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank:
"In the second half it was back to the horror show of my time when I came here and goals were flying in left, right and centre, so I am 100% that this is going to be a one-off.
"We weren't complacent. I didn't see a team that wasn't working hard, but all the goals were avoidable and that's why I'm calm because we will get it right. Sometimes things happen that you just can't explain.
"Their goals came out of nowhere when we were so good defensively up to half-time. We will sit down and look at the video, but sometimes it is the smaller details that can cost you."
Preston manager Alex Neil told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"At half-time sometimes you need to repair something in terms of how you're pressing the ball, how you're jumping or where you're trying to find the spare player, but I didn't need to repair anything, we just needed to do it better.
"The lads gave it everything they've got, they showed real bravery in the second half and I thought we were well worth the win.
"I think this is the first time, certainly for us, that we've been here and had more possession than Brentford and, to be honest, took the game to them and been better."