Ivan Toney’s goal and assist proved the difference as Brentford survived a late Wolves onslaught to clinch a 2-0 win away at Molineux.
Buoyed by their first win of the season against Watford last weekend, it was the hosts who dominated proceedings in the opening exchanges, albeit with a rare Bees’ foray forward seeing Toney slot home, only for the goal to be swiftly ruled out for an offside in the build-up.
Last season’s Championship top scorer did eventually get himself on the scoresheet midway through the first-half courtesy of a coolly taken penalty, the striker having been clumsily wrestled to the ground by Brazilian defender Marcal at a corner.
The former Peterborough man thought he’d added a second just moments later after netting with a clever back heel, before he was once again denied – this time by VAR – after being adjudged to have handled the ball.
That frantic few minutes appeared to spark the game into life, as Adama Traore then struck the crossbar down the other end, before Thomas Frank’s side did eventually extend their lead through Bryan Mbeumo after excellent work down the left from talisman Toney.
Just seconds after the interval the Frenchman had a good chance to surely kill the game after dispossessing Ruben Neves on the edge of the box, yet blazed his left-footed effort over the bar, with Traore then going close with a dinked cross from the angle.
Bruno Lage’s side were then offered a real lifeline by the sending off of Shandon Baptiste with 25 minutes to play, the midfielder foolishly bringing down Francisco Trincao having already been booked and with Frank Onyeka just about to replace him from the bench.
The introduction of the electric Hwang Hee-Chan at half-time had already given the home side a much needed boost, yet he – nor a succession of other attacking changes – could not inspire a late comeback, with Raul Jimenez going closest with a header.
In the end the clinical visitors hung on for the win, despite being a man light, to continue their strong season opening, while their hosts were perhaps once again ruing their wastefulness in front of goal.
