Brentford win after top striker left out amid ‘transfer interest’

LONDON (AP):

England striker Ivan Toney was left out of Brentford’s squad for their season opener against Crystal Palace yesterday, with manager Thomas Frank hinting that the forward could be sold this transfer window.

Frank told broadcaster Sky Sports that there are “a lot of things going on with Ivan, especially on transfers”.

Toney missed much of last season because of an eight-month ban for breaching betting rules but has been linked with several top Premier League clubs this offseason.

“There’s some transfer interest. Because of all that, we’ve decided not to involve him in the squad,” Frank said. “I can’t give too much away the day before. Of course, Ivan is a top player. We all know that. He’s been fantastic for us over the four years, but we’ve also shown, especially last year, that we can deal without him.”

However, defender Marc Guehi was in Palace’s starting line-up despite Newcastle reportedly pursuing a deal for the England international.

Brentford didn’t need Toney to start the season with a win as Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa scored for the hosts in a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace.

“I think every single time Ivan hasn’t played, Wissa has stepped up, and I think he did again today,” Frank said. “Bryan started last season fantastic and is now up to speed again.”

GOALKEEPER

Wissa bundled the winner into the net in the 76th minute after Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson got his hands to a deflected shot by Nathan Collins but pushed it on to the legs of the Brentford forward.

Mbeumo opened the scoring in the 29th before Palace equalised through an own-goal by Ethan Pinnock.

Palace were aggrieved, though, as Mbeumo’s goal came just minutes after the visitors had a goal disallowed at the other end.

Eberechi Eze caught Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken out with a long-distance free kick from the right, hitting a shot straight into the net via the near post when Brentford were expecting a delivery into the box. However, referee Sam Barrott whistled for a foul on Palace midfielder Will Hughes as he jostled for position in a scrum of players on the edge of the area. While the decision enraged Palace manager Oliver Glasner, VAR could not review it as Barrott’s whistle came before the ball had gone into the net.

“I was told that he blew too early and made the mistake,” Glasner said. “I think everyone was surprised the referee whistled so early. We thought it was a goal, but the rules are that when the referee whistles, the goal doesn’t count. It is what it is.”