Brentford 2-0 Coventry City: Ivan Toney scores twice for Bees
- Published
Ivan Toney (centre) has scored five goals in his past three games for Brentford
Ivan Toney's second-half double helped Brentford record a comfortable home win over Coventry City.
The former Peterborough striker put the Bees ahead in the first minute of the second half, diverting Bryan Mbeumo's cross-cum-shot past Marko Marosi from just inside the six-yard box.
Toney then doubled the lead nine minutes later when he headed in Emiliano Marcondes' cross from the left at the back post.
The Bees had largely dominated the first half, with Marosi twice denying Toney and keeping out a close-range effort from Pontus Jansson.
Matty Godden came closest to pulling a goal back for the Sky Blues, sending a volley onto the underside of the crossbar which bounced down onto the line and having three more efforts saved by David Raya.
Brentford's win was their second in five Championship games this season, while promoted Coventry have recorded a solitary victory since their return to the second tier.
Summer signing Toney has now scored five goals in his past three games, and Brentford head coach Thomas Frank will welcome his contribution after the departure of another star player from last season's run to the Championship play-off final.
Said Benrahma joined West Ham United on an initial season-long loan on Friday, a deal which followed the sale of forward Ollie Watkins to Aston Villa last month.
The pair contributed 42 league goals last season as the Bees finished third in the table before losing to Fulham at Wembley in August.
However, they will have some concerns over Toney's fitness after he was withdrawn just after the hour mark after suffering an injury to his shoulder area in a challenge.
Coventry later revealed that striker Tyler Walker, who was not in the squad, has tested positive for Covid-19 and will now self-isolate for 10 days.
A statement added: "All other members of the testing group, which is tested weekly and includes all players and football staff, returned negative tests."
Brentford head coach Thomas Frank:
"Ivan (Toney) is about much more than goals. His link-up play and persistence are excellent and he will improve massively throughout this season.
"He scored two top goals and was frustrated about coming off, but it was an impact injury and I was thinking of taking him off anyway.
"We were good for 75 minutes and really good in spells. We started the game fast and dominated, but in the last 15 or 20 minutes we needed to do better."
Coventry manager Mark Robins:
"We were unlucky because the first goal was offside. They got the rub of the green, but the second was really poor and that took the game away from us.
"We are capable of causing teams problems - even a top side like Brentford - but that is the level of belief we need to get to.
"The level we've come into is a huge step up so I just want us to show our real face. The last third of the game was more us."