Leicester 0-4 Brentford - the fans' verdictpublished at 13:07 22 February
13:07 22 February
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We asked for your thoughts after Friday's Premier League game between Leicester and Brentford, which the Bees won 4-0.
Here are some of your comments:
Leicester fans
Keith: An absolutely disgraceful performance. Van Nistelrooy has surely managed his last game. A reluctance to change out of form players and no motivation from the manager are sealing Leicester's fate, and six home losses with not one goal for the fans to cheer. Good riddance.
Chris: Awful. Definitely the most unlikeable and possibly the worst Leicester side I have seen in 30 years. I wish people outside Leicester fans would understand we're not expecting more this season - we're angry because obvious, unchecked mismanagement for the past four years has got us to this point. It is terribly sad and made worse because we all saw it coming.
Ed: Such a shame - a decade of proving we were a really well-run club is finally over. That was the worst first 45 mins I have seen at the King Power.
Jim: Absolute dross! I have always believed in the positive but there are no positives to hold on to. The manager needs help or dismissing. I would ask Nigel Pearson to lend a hand if he fancied it. It was his team that won the Premier League. Also, clear out the rubbish as soon as possible!
Brentford fans
George: Four well-taken, well-produced goals. Other than Flekken's gloves getting a bit of a try out in the first 15 or so minutes, Leicester never looked like they wanted to be there. But for Brentford, the spirit and determination within this side is undeniable. Is it time to renew our passports for a European holiday?
Ian: Wow! Brentford fully deserved this win. Damsgaard again being the architect. The Wissa-Mbeumo combination continues to cause defences havoc. Schade's pace is an added attacking ingredient. In fact, the whole team and replacements used put in a solid shift. Brentford are placed nicely for the run-in. Europe next season? Who knows, but keep going Bees!
Simon: At times we played like a top-six club. Damsgaard was excellent; Wissa and Mbeumo too. To think we don't even have a fit centre-forward…
Mitch: Brentford made easy work of a Leicester defence which couldn't handle the relentless pressure applied by Mbeumo, Wissa and Schade, and with Damsgaard in the form of his life, we looked ultra sharp. How Schade did not win a penalty for an obvious foul is beyond me, but another great day for the Bees.
Leicester 0-4 Brentford: Did you know?published at 12:00 22 February
12:00 22 February
Image source, Getty Images
Brentford have won four successive away games in the top-flight for the very first time in their history – and the Bees' are currently on the longest away winning run by any current Premier League side.
Brentford scored three or more goals in the first half of a Premier League away game for the very first time, in their 70th match on the road in the competition.
'We want to aim as high as possible'published at 11:43 22 February
11:43 22 February
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Brentford boss Thomas Frank speaking to MOTD: "Very good performance in many ways. It is not easy to win away from home in the Premier League. Coming here and winning 4-0 against a team that has to put everything into avoiding relegation, I am very happy with our performance and with the way we went forward and the chances we created. A clean sheet is very important. Overall a happy man."
On back-to-back Premier League wins for the first time since April: "That's crazy. We have had a good season overall. Not through the roof, but good. We haven't had back-to-back wins so that is quite strange. To get over the line and get the win is important."
On impressive away form: "We haven't changed that much. We tried to be consistent with our messaging to players."
On substituting Christian Norgaard at half-time after he took a knock: "He didn't feel that well at half-time. It was the right decision."
On aiming for European places: "That is a big, big aim. We have dreams, we want to aim as high as possible no doubt about that and we want to push. It is the first time we had back-to-back wins, we need more further down the line before we can really dream. We are in a good place and can keep pushing."
Earlier, we asked how well you remembered Brentford's opening Premier League game of the season.
The match against Crystal Palace ended in a 2-1 win, with Yoane Wissa scoring the Bees' winner after an Ethan Pinnock own goal cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo's opener.
Sutton's predictions: Leicester v Brentfordpublished at 09:20 21 February
09:20 21 February
Leicester have not won at home in the Premier League since 3 December, when they beat West Ham in Ruud van Nistelrooy's first game in charge, and they have lost their past five league games at King Power Stadium.
So, it would be massive for the Foxes if they can get anything at all here to help in their relegation fight, but I just don't see them keeping Brentford out.
Van Nistelrooy had just been appointed but was watching in the stands when the Bees hammered Leicester 4-1 earlier in the season and I am expecting their creativity and attacking energy to be too much this time, too.
Frank on Van den Berg, away form and 'dream' of European footballpublished at 15:15 20 February
15:15 20 February
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League game against Leicester (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Sepp van den Berg has picked up a "minor knee injury", however, it is "as positive as it can be" as they are expecting him to be out for "weeks instead of months".
Having waited nine Premier League away games for their first win on the road, the Bees boss discussed the chance to win four in succession: "In general, our away performances have been quite good. It has been about consistently trying to put those together. We were getting closer and closer [to the first away win] - a draw against Everton and a draw against Brighton - and then we got three very good wins in a row. Especially Crystal Palace and West Ham, where we were winning by one goal, which is just one bad decision away from losing that lead."
He added: "The team is growing even more this season. For the past however many games, we have been able to name the same team, maybe changing one player - Ethan [Pinnock] will come in for Sepp [van den Berg] on Friday, for example - but that consistency has really helped. We are also always looking to see how we can add layers and become even better."
On the possibility of European qualification: "We want to push and if we can achieve that it would be a fantastic dream and amazing. It's about focusing on Leicester to do what we can can and win under the floodlights in a game they have to win. Let's get three points and maybe down the line we can dream. A big target for us is we haven't won two games in a row, so if we want to dream about Euro places, we need more consistency."
Frank said he "can't look too far ahead" as one injury could derail their progress, but he is "excited about the way we look going forwards" and for the rest of the season he wants the side to "dominate as much as possible and win more matches".
On Leicester: "It's going to be tricky and a very difficult game because they will come flying out. It will mean a lot for them if they can win and get out of the relegation zone, even just for one day."
Frank added: "We respect them massively. They have a lot of good players and a good coach, but, on the flip side, we need to focus on us. What we have done well, trust our own processes and structure, and make sure we come with the right mentality and attitude."
Leicester v Brentford: Did you know?published at 11:26 19 February
11:26 19 February
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Having failed to win any of their first nine Premier League away games this season (D2 L7), Brentford have now won each of their last three.
The Bees last won four consecutive league games on the road in September 2011 in League One and have never done so in the top-flight.
'We ran out deserved winners'published at 12:28 18 February
12:28 18 February
Ian Westbrook Fan writer
Image source, PA Media
Brentford's 1-0 win at West Ham on Saturday continued our remarkable record against them since we were promoted from the Championship four years ago.
We have now won six and drawn one of our eight Premier League matches with the Hammers, our best record against any of the 13 clubs who we have played in each of our four seasons in the league.
The game should have been over by half-time because as well as our goal, we had two other efforts disallowed, hit the post and missed other decent chances.
We resisted a West Ham rally inspired by their half-time substitutes early in the second half and, while you are always worried that something will go wrong when you only have a one-goal lead to defend, we ran out deserved winners.
It was also our first 1-0 Premier League victory since beating Manchester City by the same score on the final day of the 2022-23 season - 63 games ago.
And it was the first time any of our league matches have finished 1-0 since our defeat at Everton towards the end of last season.
On another note, a 15:00 Saturday game in London is always one to look forward to - but we do not officially know when our next similar kick-off anywhere will be.
Of our next five matches, three are evening games and the other two are 17:30 kick-offs on Saturdays.
We are scheduled to host Chelsea in a west London derby at 15:00 on Saturday, 5 April, but the TV selections have not been made yet so that - and our subsequent games that month - could still be moved.
'Schade one of the most transformed players in the Premier League'published at 12:27 17 February
12:27 17 February
Tom Gayle Match of the Day commentator at the London Stadium
Image source, Getty Images
Most club record signings are expected to deliver from the get-go.
It was January 2023 when a 21-year-old Kevin Schade first arrived in the Premier League, initially on loan, before the move was made permanent in the summer at the cost of £21m.
At the time, Thomas Frank described the forward as "a young, promising talent that we see a big potential in". Director of football Phil Giles also made it clear they viewed the player as a long-term project, adding: "We look forward to working with him for the next five and a half years."
Brentford knew Schade would take time to settle, but to those outside the club, and in a world where attackers are often defined by their goal involvements, with just two goals and two assists across his first season and a half in the English top flight, their investment appeared to be questionable.
Context is always key to go alongside any data spreadsheet. What the numbers don't tell you is in the September of his first full season, Schade tore an adductor muscle while warming up for their game against Everton. The injury led to a seven-month, 30-match absence from the first team.
Yet, despite just 11 Premier League appearances, he still managed to better all of his team-mates when it came to the average amount of touches inside the opposition box per 90 minutes.
With a full pre-season behind him, the fully fit Schade we now see is one of the most transformed players in the Premier League when it comes to end product.
Seven goals and two assists speak volumes in terms of the turnaround. Yet it was clear to me watching at London Stadium, the 23-year-old's value isn't defined by those key metrics alone. He can play anywhere across the frontline and works tirelessly off the ball, which is essential for the Brentford high press.
Interestingly, Schade is yet to start more than three consecutive league games in his two years at the club. Managing his minutes appears key to maintaining a consistent level of performance.
Looking ahead to summer, Brian Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa will be entering the final year of their contracts, and there will be interest from other clubs in the duo.
I can't see a situation where both players leave, especially given the injury problems which have beset Brentford's latest record signing Igor Thiago.
But if they do decide to accept an offer for one of Mbeumo or Wissa, based on his current trajectory, Schade appears on course to step up and deliver.
West Ham 0-1 Brentford - the fans' verdictpublished at 09:57 17 February
09:57 17 February
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between West Ham and Brentford.
Here are some of your comments:
West Ham fans:
Hamed: No game strategy evident. No tactical adjustments evident. Disinterested players, most making not much effort. Graham Potter is clearly at a loss as to what to do. If we had lost 5-0, that scoreline would have flattered us. We are relegation fodder. Are those who whined to get rid of David Moyes happy with their handiwork? I am not.
Mark: The disappointment is the amount of time we have had to prepare for this game. Brentford could have been 4-0 up in the first half. That's not an exaggeration. Evan Ferguson came on in the second half and he andJames Ward-Prowse got us on the front foot. A draw was the minimum expected from this game.
Madge: Strange selection by Potter. Senseless to play Lucas Paqueta up front when Jarrod Bowen can do it better and we were overloaded on the right flank. That said, atrocious first half. As poor as it has ever been. Brentford could and should have been four up! The changes immediately helped but Mohammed Kudus' miss sums it all up. We could have played all year and not scored. Glad Ward-Prowse is back though. We almost had a midfield in the second half!
Simon: Two weeks of training to serve up the same old slow sideways nonsense first half. The high line against quick forwards was never going to end well. They could have been three up at the break.
Brentford fans:
Peter: Great first-half performance, but failed to put away a number of excellent chances, giving West Ham something to chase in the second half. A solid defensive display allowing us to keep a clean sheet and earn a third consecutive away win.
Philip: Brilliant to get three away wins in a row for the first time! Come on you Bees!
Catch up on the Premier League actionpublished at 11:08 16 February
11:08 16 February
Highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Brighton and Chelsea.
West Ham 0-1 Brentford: Bees start strong and stay resolutepublished at 19:11 15 February
19:11 15 February
Steve Sutcliffe BBC Sport journalist
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Brentford have gained a reputation as fast starters this term and with Kevin Schade's effort at West Ham they have now scored seven goals in the opening 10 minutes of their top-flight games.
However, while manager Thomas Frank can justifiably criticise his side for not being clinical enough to ensure the contest was virtually over by the break, he will be delighted by the manner in which they secured their victory.
Aside from one gilt-edged opportunity for Mohammed Kudus, his side barely looked like conceding a chance let alone a goal and goalkeeper Mark Flekken enjoyed a relatively comfortable afternoon thanks to the defensive discipline of those in front of him.
Brentford's only slight concern will be around the extent of Sepp van den Berg's second-half injury, with the Dutch defender forced off after being involved in what appeared a relatively innocuous challenge with West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen.
'Only complaint was we were not out of sight'published at 18:18 15 February
18:18 15 February
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Brentford manager Thomas Frank, speaking to BBC Match of the Day on how he felt about today's victory: "Very happy, especially first half. We were in complete control and dominated through the first 45 minutes. The only and relatively big complaint was that we were not out of sight. I thought we could have been three goals up. We had two disallowed, hit the post, we had three or four other big chances and dangerous situations where we need to get more out of them.
"What I liked is that we were fairly in control of the second half. They had one good chance through Kudos but besides that not too much. Winning 1-0 away, with a good solid defensive performance, very very good.
"We were playing away against a good side and sometimes the nature of the game means you can't stay on top. Overall a completely fair and good win."
On Kevin Schade: "We are seeing more and more good things from him. He is growing into the role. He is playing and importantly training consistently for many months."
'We should have scored many more'published at 18:02 15 February
18:02 15 February
Image source, Getty Images
Brentford goalscorer Kevin Schade has been speaking to Sky Sports after today's victory: "I think we left it all on the pitch, especially in the second half when it was very tight but I think we should have scored more in the first half. I think we should have scored many more to make it clear.
"I think we were very dominant in the first half but we had to keep going and fight to win."