Brentford

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford's 14th defeat in 18 Premier League games - against a team who had only beaten struggling Sheffield United on home soil all season - will do little to allay Bees fans' fears of getting dragged into a relegation battle.

Thomas Frank's team had their chances, birthday boy Ivan Toney heading over the bar in the first half before Yoane Wissa was denied by a magnificent Arijanet Muric save.

The visitors deserve credit for pushing Burnley to the wire after going 2-0 down, Kristoffer Ajer's goal coming moments after Brentford's appeals for a penalty for Muric's challenge on Toney were waved away by referee Darren Bond.

The Bees had the ball in the net again when Shandon Baptiste's cross-shot looped into the far corner, but their celebrations were cut short after Toney was adjudged to have fouled Muric in an aerial challenge.

Brentford have a tricky run of fixtures coming up, with back-to-back home games against Manchester United and Brighton followed by a trip to Aston Villa.

Will their heads still be above water when they host Sheffield United on 13 April?

Here are the key facts and figures following Saturday afternoon's game between Burnley and Brentford in the Premier League.

• Brentford have lost nine of their past 10 Premier League away games (W1), losing 11 in total this season, more than any other side in the competition.

• Burnley ended a run of 10 Premier League games without victory (D3 L7) since a 2-0 win against Fulham in December. This was just their second home win of the season in the competition (5-0 against Sheffield United in December).

• David Datro Fofana has been involved in five of the eight Premier League goals Burnley have scored since his debut for the club in January, scoring four and assisting one. Despite only playing in eight matches, no player has netted more in the competition this season for the Clarets than the Ivorian (four goals, level with Lyle Foster and Zeki Amdouni).

• Sergio Reguilon’s red card in the 9th minute is the earliest dismissal for a Brentford player in the Premier League, and the earliest overall in the competition, since October 2022 (Nathaniel Chalobah for Fulham against Newcastle United in the 8th minute).

• Burnley’s Arijanet Muric made his Premier League debut, becoming the fourth Kosovan to appear in the competition after Milot Rashica, Florent Hadergjonaj and Bersant Celina. He is also the first goalkeeper to do so.

Burnley boosted their slim hopes of Premier League survival with a nervy victory over 10-man Brentford at Turf Moor.

Jacob Bruun Larsen's early penalty gave the hosts the perfect start after the video assistant referee (VAR) adjudged Sergio Reguilon to have committed a professional foul on Clarets winger Vitinho, resulting in a straight red card for the Tottenham loanee.

Dara O'Shea's heavy backpass almost gifted Brentford an equaliser, but Arijanet Muric - making his Premier League debut in place of first-choice Clarets goalkeeper James Trafford - produced a fine clearance to stop the ball trickling over the line.

David Datro Fofana was guilty of one of the misses of the season shortly before the interval, somehow scuffing his shot wide after Lorenz Assignon had picked out the young Ivorian.

But Chelsea loanee Fofana made amends midway through the second period, taking Wilson Odobert's pass in his stride and calmly beating Muric to double Burnley's advantage.

Wilson Odobert spurned an excellent opportunity to make it 3-0, before Kristoffer Ajer's late header gave Brentford hope.

The visitors thought they had salvaged an unlikely equaliser deep into added time when Shandon Baptiste's cross looped over Muric and into the far corner, but the goal was ruled out for a foul by Ivan Toney on the Burnley keeper.

The Clarets' second home win of the season means they are now eight points adrift of safety with nine matches left to play, while Brentford sit four points above the bottom three.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Burnley fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Brentford fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

In the midst of the FA Cup quarter-finals, we still have plenty of Premier League action and we'll bring you every second.

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BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on Anna Friedberg and Emily Linden from alt-rock band Friedberg.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

I keep being silly and going for Burnley to get a draw at home, and I keep getting it wrong.

Should I go down the same road here, though? The Clarets will definitely get some chances against Brentford, who are missing a few defenders through injury, but they don't tend to take them.

The more I think about it, the more I think Brentford will win. They are not in great form but they ended a seven-game winless run when they beat Burnley earlier in the season and I can see something similar happening this time too.

Anna and Emily's prediction: 0-2

Read the rest of their predictions here

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford boss Thomas Frank says the club are having "open discussions" in order to examine why they have suffered so many injuries this season.

The Bees have lost the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Rico Henry, Josh Dasilva and Ben Mee in an injury-ravaged campaign.

"We have definitely had too many injuries," said Frank. "We are looking into it.

"We are having a very open discussion with the medical department. They have been working very hard to get players back.

"We all want to minimise injuries.

"In this competitive league, it has been incredible what the players have been doing, stepping in for others and competing.

"We gave Arsenal a more or less even game and were very unlucky not to get something out of it.

"Yes, I prefer to have the best players available, but we can't feel sorry for ourselves. We need to keep going, keep fighting and keep doing our best to perform."

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League relegation battle against Burnley at Turf Moor (15.00 GMT).

Here are some of the key points:

• Captain Christian Norgaard is out of the game after sustaining a back injury in the away defeat to Arsenal on Saturday. Norgaard has also pulled out of the Denmark squad.

• Full-back Reguilon missed the Arsenal game with a hamstring problem but will be back for the trip to Lancashire.

• Forward Bryan Mbeumo has been out since December 2023 with an ankle injury, Frank described him as 'touch-and-go' for Saturday's game: “He’s been on the grass for a week, he looks good, and he’s one of our best players."

• Mbeumo scored seven goals and managed three assists in the first half of the season and Frank said it will be a boost to have him back: “He was on track for a really remarkable season. Everyone wants those good numbers for offensive players in terms of goals and assists."

• Frank confirmed Rico Henry, Josh Dasilva and Ben Mee will all be out for the rest of the campaign with injuries.

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford striker Ivan Toney is in the England squad for the Euro 2024 warm-up games against Belgium and Brazil later this month.

Toney has scored four goals in nine games for the Bees since his return to action in January 2024.

He has been called up twice previously, but has only managed nine minutes on the pitch, against Ukraine in March 2023.

This is the first time the 27-year-old has been in the national squad since serving an eight-month suspension for breaching FA betting rules.

On the latest episode of My Mate's A Footballer, Patrick Bamford was asked by a listener to pick an ideal striker partner from a currently active player.

He answered: "It's difficult because there aren't many teams that play two up front but Ivan Toney…I like to run in behind, he’s more a typical target man. He's a hand full for defenders physically and the way that he occupies defenders, especially the way Brentford plays. He takes a lot of the attention of the defenders, which will benefit the strike partner. But he also gets a lot of assists which I like."

Watch the full episode of the podcast on BBC Sounds

Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's game between Burnley and Brentford in the Premier League.

• Burnley have only lost one of their past 11 home league games against Brentford, beating the Bees 3-1 in their only previous Premier League meeting at Turf Moor in October 2021.

• Following their 3-0 win in the reverse fixture, Brentford are looking to complete the league double over Burnley for just the second time, previously doing so in the second tier in 1934-35.

• Burnley are winless in their past 10 Premier League games since a 2-0 win at Fulham in December. Their eight games without a win so far in 2024 is their longest run without a league victory from the start of a calendar year since 2007 (12).

• Having won three consecutive Premier League games in October and November, Brentford have since won just three of their last 17. Since the weekend of the first game in that run, the Bees have lost more Premier League games than any other side (13).

• David Datro Fofana has been involved in four of the six Premier League goals Burnley have scored since his debut for the club in January, scoring three and assisting another. Across the season as a whole, only Lyle Foster (seven) and Zeki Amdouni (five) have been involved in more league goals for the Clarets than Fofana.

• Brentford striker Yoane Wissa has scored in each of his last three Premier League games, and has now scored exactly seven goals in all three of his campaigns in the competition. He has never scored in four consecutive matches within the top two divisions in his European league career.

Phil Parry
BBC Radio London reporter

Ten years ago this weekend, Brentford made the short trip to Leyton Orient and returned with an important three points after a narrow 1-0 win. It proved to be another step on the road to promotion into the Championship.

This time around, the Bees make a longer journey up to Burnley with the aim of gathering the points to put them on their way to securing a fourth season in the Premier League.

So much has happened in the intervening decade for the club, including moving to an impressive new stadium and not once finishing below 31st in the football pyramid.

This has happened while being praised for the way that the west Londoners have achieved continued progress and success. So, it is not a surprise that it is not just players or coaches who are linked with moves, but also the behind-the-scenes architects too.

This season, however, has been a challenge. The reasons are well documented, specifically the number and importance of absent players. Hence the collective wince from supporters when they saw Christian Norgaard withdrawn from action early against Arsenal combined with the non-starting of Sergio Reguilon.

However, apart from a small number of below-par showings, the Bees could well have been sitting with more points than they have so far accrued. Even at Emirates Stadium, they were within minutes of taking something from the now table-toppers.

As a result, Brentford go into the final 10 games of the campaign knowing that, in all but one season in the past decade, 36 points has been enough to ensure another year in the top flight.

In fact, 35 would have been sufficient, depending on goal difference. So, for Thomas Frank's team that means three wins could do the business.

So where are those victories likely to come from? Well, no doubt there will be those who suggest the trip to Turf Moor is a good chance to notch one of them judging by Burnley's home form.

But Brentford's trip to Sheffield United earlier in the season proved nothing can be taken for granted. So, while some might like to see a morale-boosting big victory, I am sure a repeat of that single digit win at the Os 10 years ago would do for Thomas and friends.

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Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Pride was the overwhelming feeling among Brentford fans at full-time at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

• Pride in the performance of our - once again - patched-up side against one of the Premier League's elite and most in-form teams.

• Pride in the fact we were only a few minutes away from earning an unexpected point.

• Pride that even after nearly three seasons, we are playing teams like Arsenal on a weekly basis as equals.

Once again injury struck, with left-back Sergio Reguilon ruled out by a minor hamstring problem and captain Christian Norgaard forced off during the first half.

The defensive display matched that at Manchester City last month and, while defeat was expected by most fans before the game, to play as we did and only lose by a single goal is a creditable result.

A far more important game is this Saturday's trip to Burnley.

The Clarets are in wretched form and without a win in 10 Premier League games, but nobody will be taking anything for granted, especially as we lost at Sheffield United earlier this season.

However, a positive result would take us into the international break on an upbeat note.

Meanwhile, we are wondering what the club has done to deserve such bad luck with injuries.

We had three full-backs, two centre-halves, one midfielder and two attackers ruled out on Saturday – all of whom would regularly be in the first team or on the bench.

Norgaard became the latest casualty during the match, so let's hope Thomas Frank was right when he said the captain and Reguilon should both be back this Saturday.

Ian Westbrook can be found on the Beesotted podcast, external

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on Monday.

Martin in Derby: Only three Premier League clubs have panic sacked their managers this season: Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace. So far, none are better off, arguably worse off in Forest's case. What do you think of this strategy versus the boards who hold their nerve - a la Burnley, Luton, Everton, Brentford with the longer term learning and stability in mind?

Phil: It's a tough choice, Martin, but it certainly has not had the desired impact at Sheffield United and Forest with Chris Wilder returning and Nuno Espirito Santo being appointed at the City Ground. Far too early to make any considered judgement on Oliver Glasner at Palace.

Vincent Kompany had credit in the bank for taking Burnley up but it's been a miserable season and they seem simply resigned to going down and maybe letting him try again next season. There is no-one at Everton to make a decision on Sean Dyche even if they wanted to, which is very unlikely. Thomas Frank has done a top-class job at Brentford despite recent struggles while if the art of good management is getting the best out of what you have then Rob Edwards is doing incredibly well at Luton Town. They could still stay up.

There are considered reasons why they are all still in their jobs.

I think the prospect of relegation can induce panic and clubs must also weigh up whether there is anyone out there who could do any better. A very hard choice and only the final league table will tell if the right decision has been taken.

We asked for your views on Saturday's game between Arsenal and Brentford.

Here are some of your responses:

Arsenal fans

TC: Nervy, edge-of-the-seat stuff, but a very good result against a team we often find difficult to beat. It's clear Ramsdale's confidence is shot since being dropped, but he redeemed himself with an important second-half performance. For the first time in years I'm actually looking forward to us playing at the Etihad!

Gary: Arteta has done everything right! Made all the correct big decisions. Has put his stamp all over Arsenal and got them competing again. The best thing is he's put together a young squad which will only get better and better.

David: Well the bubble had to burst at some point. We can't expect to beat every team 6-0. That said, there were a lot of positives in the performance. We still dominated and were the team that looked most likely to score, just back to lacking end product again. The mistake by Ramsdale was disappointing, but two great saves as well.

Pat: Ramsdale kept us in the game. Top keeper. Mistake before half-time. Anxiety and pressure were bound to be a factor after being snubbed for the whole season. He grew his confidence throughout. Hope he stays and fights on. Kai Havertz definitely hushing the haters now!

Brentford fans

Simon: Havertz shouldn’t have been on the pitch to score the winner. Mikel Arteta is normally very quick to criticise the officials - look forward to hearing what he has to say about their failure to send Havertz off for a blatant dive when on a yellow. It was a hinge moment - they always go to the big clubs and it cost Brentford.

Colin: While Arsenal were the better team and deserved the win, Havertz should not have been on the field. He should have got a second yellow card and I can understand why Brentford were annoyed. A very spirited performance from them.

Cliff: Midfield like Swiss cheese sandwiched between a so-so defence and a spluttering attack. Good old boot and run rarely pays off these days. Two awful goalkeepers - theirs was luckier. Somehow we'll beat relegation but need some strong rebuilding.

George: With such a slim bench, we really punched above our weight - a redeemed Ramsdale worked his socks off in the second half to keep out a soaring Toney strike from range and a Collins sure-fire header from finding the net. The Bees made crucial tackles and blocks throughout the game - but head-height crosses continue to be our Achilles-heel.

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra match commentaries in full:

• Crystal Palace v Luton Town

• Arsenal v Brentford

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Eleven defeats in 14 Premier League games is normally enough to set off alarm bells.

Yet Brentford have reasons to be optimistic that their season in not going to end in a disastrous relegation.

They dug deep at Arsenal and gave Mikel Arteta's title-chasing side an almighty scare before the Gunners took the points courtesy of an 86th-minute winner from Kai Havertz.

There is an argument that Havertz should not have even been on the pitch when he scored having earlier escaped a second yellow card for throwing himself to the ground in an attempt to win a penalty.

The Bees were well organised for large parts but have now lost 10 times on the road in the Premier League.

With 10 games left, they have a five-point safety cushion although fellow strugglers Luton and Nottingham Forest both have games in hand.

Brentford still have to play the bottom two clubs Sheffield United (home) and Burnley (away), as well as go to Luton.

Their fate remains very much in their own hands.

Kai Havertz spared Aaron Ramsdale's blushes as Arsenal earned a statement win over Brentford which puts them top of the Premier League before title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City meet on Sunday.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Arsenal fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Brentford fans?

Follow all of the reaction here