Brentford get glimpse of life after Ivan Toney with controversial win over Crystal Palace

Referee Sam Barratt ruled out Eberechi Eze’s quickly taken free-kick for a foul in the box by Will Hughes

Thomas Frank’s shock decision to leave Ivan Toney out of his squad because he felt he had the forwards to win without him was vindicated as Brentford kicked off the new campaign with their first ever Premier League win over Crystal Palace.
The absence of Toney, who is in discussions about a move to Saudi Arabia, led to a subdued mood around the Gtech Community Stadium at kick-off following a difficult pre-season for the hosts who have only managed to sign Fabio Carvalho this summer and saw a move for Napoli midfielder Jens Cajuste collapse last week.
The England striker, out of contract in June having missed much of last season because of his eighth-month suspension for breaching betting rules, has made no secret of his desire to play for one of the top clubs, but it appears the huge cash on offer in Saudi may lure him to the Middle East.
Last season saw Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa score 21 goals between them, and the pair were both on target again in a game where their side were second-best for large periods with the outstanding Eberechi Eze unfortunate to be on the losing side.
The pair combined to put Brentford with their first meaningful attack after half-an-hour when Wissa played in Mbeumo and the Cameroon forward blasted in from the edge of the box.
The goal was harsh on Palace who thought they had taken the lead a minute earlier when Eze caught out Mark Flekken with a long-range free-kick that flew past the flat-footed Dutch keeper only for referee Sam Barratt to blow his whistle for a foul by Will Hughes on Nathan Collins before the ball hit the net – subsequently ruling out any possibility of a VAR check.
Eze scores a cheeky freekick but it was ruled out for an infringement in the box! ❌ pic.twitter.com/wVbXBc1teq
The goal did lift the home side somewhat with Kevin Schade shooting just wide on the stroke of half-time before Palace were forced to withdraw Jean-Philipe Mateta at the break after an injury sustained in a collision with Flekken.
Palace finally got the goal their efforts deserved when Bees defender Ethan Pinnock prodded into his own net after Munoz outjumped Kristoffer Ajer to nod down a Tyrick Mitchell cross and it was the south Londoners who looked the more likely side to take the three points.
Eze continued to cause Brentford problems and his sumptuous pass into the path of Odsonne Edouard saw the French forward hammer the ball past Flekken, only to be denied by an offside flag.
But it was the hosts who claimed the points 14 minutes from time when a high ball into the Palace wasn’t cleared and Wissa followed up a shot from Collins that was tipped away by Henderson and into the shins of the Congolese forward and over the line.
Palace pushed hard for an equaliser with Eze denied once again when his weaving run and shot was clawed away by Flekken and Edouard lifting the ball over the bar from close range.