Brentford kicked off their 2024-25 Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday, despite the absence of star striker Ivan Toney due to ongoing transfer interest.
The match began with controversy as Crystal Palace had a goal disallowed early on. Eberechi Eze’s direct shot from a wide free-kick found the back of the net, but referee Sam Barrott had already halted play for a foul, denying the Eagles a crucial opener.
Brentford seized the advantage in the 29th minute when Bryan Mbeumo showcased his skills with a dazzling run, ultimately squeezing the ball past Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Mbeumo’s goal was a testament to Brentford’s attacking intent and provided a much-needed boost after the earlier disallowed goal.
Crystal Palace responded with tenacity and managed to equalize in the 56th minute.
A header from Daniel Munoz was inadvertently poked into the back of the net by Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock, with striker Odsonne Edouard closely watching for a potential tap-in.
As the match progressed, both teams pushed for dominance. However, it was Brentford who found the decisive goal in the 78th minute.
Yoane Wissa capitalized on a rebound after Henderson parried Nathan Collins’ powerful effort, sealing the victory for the Bees.
With this narrow win, Brentford starts the season on a positive note, while Crystal Palace will be looking to bounce back in their next fixture.
