Brentford

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Keith Andrews needed to deliver a response to the dismal defeat at Fulham - and he did just that against Manchester United.

Gone was the five-at-the-back system to be replaced by a 4-3-3 line-up - and it paid off in the first 25 minutes as we blew United away to go 2-0 up.

Yes, we lost our way a bit after giving them a careless goal and did little until they got their penalty. But Caoimhin Kelleher's save inspired us and we dominated after that.

A lot of reports focused on United's frailties, but that shouldn't detract from Brentford's performance.

Of course we weren't perfect and still need to create more chances - although having eight out of our 10 shots on target is reminiscent of how we played last season.

But that is seven points out of nine at home, against teams who are - or expect to be - in Europe.

With Manchester City and Liverpool up next at home, and with Wolves and Aston Villa picking up points, this victory was vital.

Next job is to solve our miserable away form of three straight defeats.

A word for Bryan Mbeumo on his first Gtech return.

Warmly welcomed by fans in the warm-up - a welcome he reciprocated - he was quite rightly treated respectfully. There was applause both when his name was read out and when he went to take his first corner in front of the vociferous West Stand.

There was also some good-natured ribbing suggesting he "should have stayed at a big club" and asking him what the score was - but nothing wrong with that!

At full-time he greeted Bees staff on the bench and was embraced by former team-mates on the pitch.

I'm just relieved he wasn't the headline from this match - even though he is in my fantasy league team!

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

Sam Drury
BBC Sport journalist

Where are Brentford's goals going to come from?

It was a question their fans have heard asked countless times over the past couple of years - a few might well have asked it themselves.

But even before it had been raised as a legitimate concern, the Bees have come up with a response.

Last summer Ivan Toney departed for Al-Ahli, but Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa not only helped fill the void, but impressively increased the west London club's goalscoring threat.

That duo, though, left this summer and the familiar attacking worries returned. But, once more, Brentford look to have it covered.

Step forward Igor Thiago.

The Brazilian, 24, has started the campaign in fine form with his double against Manchester United on Saturday taking his Premier League tally to four in six games, with another coming in the Carabao Cup.

Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer told BBC Sport: "He barely played last season because of injury but he got his two goals in that half and that's what a striker is going to get judged for.

"He looks like he can fill the void left by Mbeumo and Wissa."

We asked for your thoughts after Brentford's convincing 3-1 win over Manchester United on Saturday afternoon.

Here are some of your comments:

Ian: A total reverse of last week against Fulham. The team in the first half were on the front foot. Thiago's goals will give him and the team confidence. A tactical selection playing Hickey at left-back, which countered Mbeumo's threat of cutting in from the right on his left foot. Kelleher's penalty save will give him confidence. The Gtech is not an easy place for visiting teams to play at, long may it continue.

Don: We were excellent. We stormed the first 20 to 25 minutes of the game but we also rode our luck as Man Utd had plenty of chances. The penalty save was both expected and decisive. We genuinely enjoyed seeing Bryan Mbeumo back - forever a Brentford legend - and seeing him lose. It's too bad he left for the wrong so-called 'bigger club'.

Bobby: As a supporter of 60 years, I'm very proud of them. Well done. Jordan Henderson might prove the signing of the season in helping the club stay in the Premier League. Bees on fire.

Rich: My first time seeing the Bees in person this season. We bossed most of the game and Man Utd didn't deserve anything from it, but it could have been 2-2 and us down to 10 men. Hickey, Kayode, Yarmoliuk and Keane Lewis-Potter all played with guts. The biggest celebration was the saved penalty. I hope the win and recent performances lift the team and the staff.

Pundits Alan Shearer and Micah Richards join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday’s Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 2-1 Liverpool

• Nottingham Forest 0-1 Sunderland

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

This was another great day for 'little' Brentford and their 17,000 delirious fans at Gtech Community Stadium.

"You should have stayed at a big club" and "sacked in the morning" were the songs that echoed round this atmospheric stadium as they goaded Bryan Mbeumo, on his return to the club, and Ruben Amorim, who will not be coming back unless he can quickly find answers to his side's repeated failure to play to the potential created by their price tags.

Injury scuppered Igor Thiago's hopes of impressing in his first season at Brentford, but he is having a big impact now. Five goals in seven games in all competitions is in line with Mbeumo's 20-goal haul last season.

There can be few more deserving of success.

Thiago's development as a player in Brazil was stunted by the death of his father as a youngster, which led him into the world of work when he was only 13 years old.

Bricklaying, carrying fruit, working at fairs and general odd jobs were what he did to earn money for his family.

His status as a Premier League player probably means financial worries are a thing of the past, but that does not prevent anyone from feeling happy for him.

Brentford boss Keith Andrews spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side beat Manchester United: "It was deserved. It was quite dramatic at times - penalties, VAR, the usual. But if you scrutinise the game, we were very good and we caused a lot of problems. You are always going to get a reaction, but we stuck to it. The substitutes did brilliantly. It was a deserved win"

On the penalty: "That's the nature of the game. It swings one way or the other, I've got no complaints about it."

On centre-forward Igor Thiago: "He is a top human being. He had to suffer last year because of being injured for a significant amount of time. I know what type of a person he is and his qualities as a footballer.

"We are building new relationships now. You can see that with the front three, they will get better and better. It was a different front-line last year, but this is one that has a lot of potential and a lot of ability. I'm really excited about it."

On Brentford's third goal: "It was a nice way to finish. We didn't want to sit back in the second half and just absorb pressure. We wanted to take the game to them at the right times and get the third goal. I didn't anticipate it would be so late in the game, but from that base we sprung out really well, counter-attacked really efficiently and it was a great finish."

On his managerial philosophy: "You always pick ideas from elsewhere. I'm a learner, I've studied a lot of teams, a lot of coaches and people that I've worked with - that is only natural. I'm not the finished product by any stretch of the imagination and I'm aware of that.

"What I am big on is playing to the players' strengths and what they can achieve to get results. I have been in the game a long time so I know what that takes and I try to emphasise that on a daily basis."

On what Brentford can achieve this season: "Progression. We want to build a new team. The next chapter is well underway. The narrative around the club has been a certain way, but I'm pretty calm about the situation."

Did you know?

• Brentford have won four of their past six Premier League home games (D1 L1), having been without a win in their previous eight at Gtech Community Stadium (D3 L5).

• Igor Thiago became just the second player to score twice in the opening 20 minutes of a Premier League match against Manchester United, after Alexis Sanchez for Arsenal in October 2015 (19 minutes).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Brentford's performance

What did you make of United's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Club record signing Dango Ouatarra returns to the Brentford side as Keith Andrews' men look to win only their second game of the season.

Aaron Hickey is also included as Keane Lewis-Potter and Ethan Pinnock drop to the bench as Andrews looks to halt Brentford's worst start to a Premier League campaign.

Brentford XI: Kelleher, Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Hickey, Yarmoliuk, Henderson, Damsgaard, Ouatarra, Igor Thiago, Schade

Substitutes: Valdimarsson, Pinnock, Henry, Lewis-Potter, Milambo, Janelt, Jensen, Onyeka, Ajer

Matheus Cunha, Diogo Dalot and Manuel Ugarte all return for Manchester United, who are trying to win a second consecutive Premier League game for the first time under Ruben Amorim.

Amad has been ruled out due to a family bereavement, Casemiro is suspended and Noussair Mazraoui is injured.

It is the first time Cunha has started along with Benjamin Sesko and former Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo in attack.

Manchester United XI: Bayindir, De Ligt, Maguire, Shaw, Dalot, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu, Mbeumo, Cunha, Sesko

Substitutes: Lammens, Heaton, Fredricson, Heaven, Mainoo, Mount, Yoro, Zirkzee, Leon

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brentford v Manchester United (12:30)

• Chelsea v Brighton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Crystal Palace v Liverpool - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Leeds United v Bournemouth

• Manchester City v Burnley

• Nottingham Forest v Sunderland (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Tottenham v Wolves (20:00)

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Crystal Palace v Liverpool" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Nottingham Forest v Sunderland", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United travel to Brentford aiming to win back-to-back league games for the first time under head coach Ruben Amorim. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes before Saturday's lunchtime match.

Brentford continue to experience growing pains under rookie manager Keith Andews, with last weekend's 3-1 defeat at Fulham leaving them one point and one place above the relegation zone. They have already conceded 10 Premier League goals this term, which is the third highest total in the top flight and the most by the Bees at this stage of a league season since 2003.

After the loss at Craven Cottage, Andrews said his side need to improve their game management, pinpointing the concession of two quickfire goals before half-time as the turning point. He admitted lessons will have to be learned, adding: "It's a young squad and we need to analyse that period."

However, Brentford's inability to hang on to a lead is in danger of becoming an Achilles heel. They have dropped a league-high eight points from winning positions in the current campaign, scoring first in four of their five matches but winning only once.

With just four points on the board and 10 goals conceded, the Bees have made their worst start to a Premier League season. They will hope to kick-start their campaign with back-to-back home fixtures against the league's two Manchester clubs.

'Complicated' United back to winning ways

Manchester United rebounded from a sobering defeat against neighbours Manchester City by beating Chelsea 2-1 last weekend in a match both sides finished with 10 men. Casemiro's sending off in first-half injury time gave the Blues hope of a comeback and Amorim conceded afterwards his team need to stop making life needlessly "complicated".

While lapses of concentration are a recurring issue, Amorim can at least take heart from United's improved attacking displays.

The Red Devils have attempted 81 Premier League shots this term, more than any other side (Brentford rank last with 41). They average 16.2 shots per game in the current campaign, up from 13.9 under Amorim last season, while their expected goals figure has risen from 1.33 per game to 2.03.

However, supporters have yet to see the best of new striker Benjamin Sesko, who has had a quite start to life at Old Trafford following his £66.3m move from RB Leipzig. He has managed just one shot on target and eight touches in the opposition box in 205 minutes of Premier League action.

Brentford beat Manchester United 4-3 in this fixture last season, but that was a different Brentford - with Thomas Frank their manager and Bryan Mbeumo playing for them, not for United.

The Bees are a difficult team to predict now because Keith Andrews has had some mixed results since taking charge - they ended up being out-played by Fulham last week, but they are still unbeaten at home.

I am not sure what we will see from Ruben Amorim's side, either.

Robbie Savage was telling me on 606 that United have got the best xG (expected goals) in the Premier League, which suggests they have under-achieved so far.

I can see this being quite a tight game and while I didn't go for any draws at all last week - I got a bit complacent because I was finding it so easy to beat AI and decided I would pick a winner in every game - I am going to start with one this time.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Saffie Yates
BBC Sport journalist

Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Manchester United at Gtech Community Stadium (kick-off 12:30).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On Byran Mbeumo's return to the Gtech for the first time since leaving for United: "Bryan epitomises everything good about this football club. He was given time, patience and support, and I think the way it went last year was the culmination of that six-year journey where so many people in that building played a part in his development. I know for a fact he really appreciates that and he appreciates the fans. Bryan rightly should get a really good reception."

• Andrews sid his players should have a voice on Brentford's gameplan: "I'm big into players having an opinion. I think it needs to come from that place where they are really involved in the process."

• On facing United: "They're a very talented set of players and have a very defined way of playing the game that they know very well. They've added some quality players that will cause us a lot of problems if we don't do things correctly tomorrow."

• He said changes to Saturday's opponents at the top end of the pitch will affect Brentford's approach: "What they've added in the summer - Bryan, [Matheus] Cunha, [Benjamin] Sesko - makes things look different to the way it did when we played them last season. The system might be similar, but personnel makes a big difference to a system."

• When asked about Brentford appearing more confident at home than they do on the road, Andrews said: "I felt that the day before Fulham was probably the best training session I'd seen from the players in terms of confidence, the conviction and everything we did, the belief, the vibe and the energy around the training ground. So it's not something I've sensed. But I am looking forward to getting back on home soil tomorrow."

• On changes happening within Brentford: "We are forming a new team. There's been a lot of change at the football club, myself included. We're making steps, and sometimes those steps aren't in the direction we want. I think you have to accept that. You have to understand that."

• He wants to maintain a good environment for his team: "It's really important for me to maintain the type of environment that's been created here, where players can develop. We put internal pressure on ourselves. We don't particularly need the external pressure to fuel anything from within. I think there's that intrinsic motivation as an individual and all to be collectively, to be the best versions of ourselves. And that's not always going to be perfect."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Image source, Getty Images

The fourth-round fixtures of the EFL Cup have been confirmed:

• Arsenal v Brighton

• Grimsby Town v Brentford

• Swansea City v Manchester City

• Newcastle United v Tottenham

• Wrexham v Cardiff City

• Liverpool v Crystal Palace

• Wolves v Chelsea

• Wycombe v Fulham

Ties to be played in the week of 27 October

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I have said all season that I will judge Keith Andrews' performance as Brentford manager after 10 Premier League games.

I will stick to that, but think that the display in Saturday's derby defeat and his game management let us down.

The Fulham fixtures are big for Bees fans and Andrews acknowledged that in the build-up.

However, we turned in another flat performance, created little - only scoring after a Cottagers mistake - and never looked like coming back into it.

When we went 3-1 down, our 5-3-2 formation was crying out for a change to a more attacking 4-3-3.

Why not at that stage, take off a centre-half, bring on record signing Dango Ouattara and in-form ex-Fulham attacker Fabio Carvalho and just go for it? I'd rather lose 4-1 than not try to rescue something.

Instead all the substitutions were like-for-like, which made no difference.

For the first time this season, there was some dissent from the stands, with chants of "Get Ouattara on" and "Andrews, Andrews sort it out" before any substitutions were made.

There was no booing from those of us who hung around until full-time - only applause - when Andrews and the players came over, but if displays and results like this continue, I fear that could change.

It has certainly not been all bad under Andrews. We beat Aston Villa and played well against Chelsea and against both Bournemouth and Villa in the Carabao Cup.

But having paid a reported £42m for Ouattara, surely he has to start games.

Three of our next four matches are at home... but they are against Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool.

The only away fixture is at West Ham - but it would be just our luck that if they make a managerial change, it will happen just before our visit so it becomes the new guy's first game.

And we know what that often means.

Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Fulham and Brentford

Here are some of your comments:

Fulham fans

Marios: Fulham have become determined and hard to beat. They set the pace last night and Brentford were all over the place. What a squad Marco Silva has built - so much depth in every position.

John: Excellent all-round team effort. Josh King didn't let his error affect his performance - good to see his team-mates rally around him. Dealt well with all Brentford's long throws and set-pieces. Like watching Tony Pulis' Stoke - without the finesse. Harry Wilson did his usual Brentford thing with a lovely finish but the goal of the game should have been Rodrigo Muniz's. Even when we win, VAR has it in for us.

Luke: Two contrasting styles. Our emphasis seemed to be on playing out, getting on the ball and our offensive players making smart, penetrating runs. Brentford's was so focused on set-pieces but thankfully we dealt with them fairly well. Best team won.

David: I was very pleased and thought it a very dominant performance. Could have been even more convincing but for a goal being ruled offside by millimetres and one disallowed for an apparent foul, proving that in the eyes of today's officials, football is no longer a contact sport. Fulham will get much better.

Brentford fans

Les: Brentford have bought about their own destruction, by appointing a very inexperienced manager and not buying a replacement for Yoane Wissa as promised.

Brian: Hoofball didn't work. We needed four at the back in this game. The extra centre-half meant we played without wingers and Fulham pressed our wing-backs so that there was no footballing route towards our twin strikers, of which Kevin Schade would have been better employed in a front three. Record signing Dango Ouattara consigned to the bench? Really dire to watch, and if this continues I will start to get worried

David: The derby didn't quite deliver the quality football I was hoping for. Schade and Igor Thiago didn't seem to be on the same page, and we struggled to create opportunities from set-pieces. Keith Andrews needs to rethink his strategy, as the substitutions didn't effectively change the game or break down Fulham's defence.

Peter: Andrew flatters to deceive. We started with the wrong line-up and I think the board will have to bite the bullet sooner rather than later. In truth, in all our matches we have for the most part been outplayed.

Brentford boss Keith Andrews, speaking to BBC Sport: "We started the game well and played in areas of pitch. We wanted to cause them issues and we did that. The front two were a handful when we gave them the service.

"The timing of goals wasn't good and the manner of them was a bit disappointing."

On the first goal: "Two ways of looking at it - unlucky possibly but feel we could do more about it in terms of aggression and anticipation."

On the second goal: "Again the manner of where it comes from, the basics of the game are important for me. How we set up for set-pieces including throw-ins, to match players. The manner of the goals didn't sit particularly well.

"Clean sheets are important to us. We're very aware we need to address certain things and performance levels. We don't get too high when we win a game and tonight we're clearly not happy with conceding three goals.

"We need to address certain aspects of our game. The performance overall was disjointed. We lacked the quality at times, the final little bit of quality was lacking."

Did you know?

• Brentford have picked up just four points this season (W1 D1 L3) - their lowest ever tally after five Premier League matches to start a season. The Bees have also conceded 10 goals - their most at this stage of a campaign.

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Brighton 2-2 Tottenham

• Wolves 1-3 Leeds

• Man Utd 2-1 Chelsea

Timothy Abraham
BBC Sport Journalist

Image source, Getty Images

It's still early days in Keith Andrews' managerial reign at Brentford but the Irishman has plenty to ponder.

For starters, Brentford's haul of four points from five games is their lowest in five seasons in the Premier League.

They certainly would have hoped for more from a run of games against Sunderland, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Chelsea and Fulham.

Of greater concern is their ability to hold on to the lead when they get their noses in front.

The fortitude that existed under Andrews' predecessor Thomas Frank appears to have been diluted a little and this was quite a disjointed display.

Indeed, Brentford have now lost eight points from winning positions in the Premier League this season - more than any other team in the English top flight.

When Fulham got back on level terms at Craven Cottage the confidence and belief seemed to drain out of Brentford's players.

Their second-half display yielded five shots - two on target - but it's difficult to remember Bernd Leno having a testing save to make.

The season is still in its infancy but with Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City in three of their next four games, it's not going to get any easier for Andrews.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Fulham's performance

What did you make of Brentford's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Fulham boss Marco Silva has named the same starting line-up which secured a 1-0 win over Leeds United in the Premier League last weekend.

They won that match courtesy of a own goal but Silva sticks with Rodrigo Muniz up front with Harry Wilson, Josh King and Alex Iwobi in behind.

The Cottagers have plenty of attacking options in reserve with Adama Traore, Emile Smith Rowe and Raul Jimenez on the bench.

Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon, Berge, Lukic, Iwobi, King, Wilson, Muniz

Subs: Lecomte, Jimenez, Cairney, Adama, Cuenca, Chukwueze, Castagne, Kevin, Smith Rowe

Brentford head coach Keith Andrews makes 10 changes from the side which beat Aston Villa on penalties in the Carabao Cup during the week.

Sepp Van Den Berg is the only survivor as the likes of Caoimhin Kelleher, Jordan Henderson, Yehor Yarmoliuk and Michael Kayode all return.

Fabio Carvalho, who scored a dramatic equaliser after coming off the bench in a 2-2 draw against Chelsea in their last Premier League match, is again among the substitutes.

Brentford XI: Kelleher, Kayode, Van Den Berg, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter, Damsgaard, Henderson, Yarmoliuk, Schade, Thiago

Subs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Henry, Jensen, Carvalho, Onyeka, Ouattara, Ajer, Janelt