Bristol City 1-3 Brentford: Stylish Bees ease past Bristol City
- Published
- comments
Ivan Toney scored his 31st goal of the season to break the Championship goalscoring record as Brentford warmed up for the play-offs with a stylish final-day victory over strugglers Bristol City.
The Bees, who were already guaranteed to finish third, led when Toney reacted quickly in the box and rounded keeper Daniel Bentley before tapping the ball home.
Bryan Mbeumo made it 2-0 from a neat pass by Sergi Canos following a glorious team move.
Canos sealed a dominant win for the Bees, who face Bournemouth in the play-offs, with a first-time finish at the far post, before substitute Louis Britton struck a late consolation on his debut for the visitors.
A young Robins side, that saw 17-year-old academy product Alex Scott handed his first start, struggled against a team who always looked like securing a 24th win of the season.
Marcus Forss twice went close in the early stages while the visitors also had a strong penalty claim for a push on Toney.
Nahki Wells had the home side's best chance just before the break, but his close-range shot was blocked.
Brentford's pressure was finally rewarded thanks to Toney's composed finish - a strike which means he has now scored the most goals in the second tier since it was rebranded as the Championship 17 years ago, beating the previous best tally of 30 achieved by Glenn Murray.
And a much-deserved victory was wrapped up in the final minutes through Mbeumo and Canos.
Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson: "It has been a season of two contrasting halves for the club because it began with promise, but we have had too many injuries and fitness is something we need to address.
"We have had to rely too much on young players and, while we have some very bright prospects, it is important we don't demand too much of them too soon.
"I have to create a squad capable of meeting the challenges the Championship sets.
"At the moment we are not meeting those challenges and a lot of our talented youngsters are being exposed without the necessary experience alongside them."
Brentford head coach Thomas Frank: "I'm so delighted that Ivan did break the record because he is humble with his talent and deserves all the success he gets.
"I named a strong side because I wanted to take the momentum of our good run into the play-offs.
"We did not pick up any injuries. Ethan Pinnock only played the first half because of a minor problem he was carrying, but he is fine.
"Whatever happens from now on, it has been another outstanding season for the players.
"Our points tally [87] would normally be enough for automatic promotion and we have again scored the most goals in the Championship [79].
"We will have a few beers and then they will have three days off before preparing for what I am sure will be a tight tie of fine margins with Bournemouth."