Reggae Boy Pinnock sparks Brentford victory
LONDON, England (CMC) — Reggae Boy Ethan Pinnock gave English Premier League side Brentford a flying start en route to a 3-2 win over west London rivals Fulham at the Gtech Community Centre on Monday night, to keep their hopes of European football alive.
Thomas Frank’s side made a dazzling start and could have been three up before 29-year-old centre back Pinnock’s shot deflected off Tim Ream to put Brentford ahead after only six minutes.
Striker Ivan Toney, a one-time Reggae Boyz target before he was called up to the England squad last September, was again the Bees’ talisman, making it 22 successes out of 22 from the penalty spot for Brentford as they closed to within three points of sixth-place Newcastle United.
It was Toney’s 16th goal of the season, and he was outstanding as Brentford secured a deserved victory. However, the 26-year-old is playing under a cloud and faces a lengthy ban after admitting breaking Football Association betting rules.
Fulham are having a fine season of their own and drew level six minutes before the break when Israel forward Manor Solomon continued his rich vein of form, heading in the rebound after Andreas Pereira’s free kick struck the post.
Brentford regained the momentum, with both Bryan Mbeumo and Toney hitting the woodwork with free kicks, and were awarded a 53rd-minute penalty when Issa Diop fouled Christian Norgaard.
Toney easily beat Bernd Leno with the spot kick and Mathias Jensen sealed the win from close range five minutes from time following good work by Kevin Schade, although Carlos Vinicius pulled a goal back in stoppage time for Fulham after their Reggae Boy Bobby Reid came on as a 75th-minute substitute.