Brentford moved away from the Premier League (PL) relegation zone, as Igor Thiago’s first-half brace secured an impressive 3-1 victory over Manchester United, who are now winless in eight away league matches (D2, L6).
Key stats
- Brentford have scored in their last 13 games in the Premier League, their longest run in the competition.
- Man Utd have conceded two goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half, only Nottingham Forest (five) and Brentford (three) have conceded more in the Premier League this season.
- Brentford have scored three goals in a game for the first time since 4th May 2025 against Manchester United (W4-3).
Highlights
Analysis
Caoimhin Kelleher starred for Brentford and was awarded a Flashscore rating of 8.2 after saving a second-half penalty from Bruno Fernandes.
Match report
Having made their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign with just four points from the opening five rounds, Brentford knew a positive response was needed against the Red Devils.
Keith Andrews’ side came flying out the blocks, and their early intent was rewarded inside eight minutes, as Jordan Henderson’s raking long ball released Thiago, who timed his run to perfection to finish emphatically beyond Altay Bayındır.
Buoyed by the breakthrough, the Bees went in pursuit of a quickfire second, but Bayındır stood firm in the visitors’ goal, thwarting close-range headers from Sepp van den Berg and Nathan Collins in quick succession.
Not to be denied, Brentford deservedly doubled their lead in the 20th minute, with Thiago finding himself in the right place at the right time to convert from six yards after Bayındır could only parry Kevin Schade’s initial effort.
Having won just three of their last 24 PL away games against London sides (D6, L15), United looked to regain some semblance of composure as the first half progressed. Ruben Amorim’s men pulled a goal back soon after, as Benjamin Šeško fired beyond Caoimhín Kelleher from close range at the third time of asking to open his account for the Red Devils.
Undeterred by United’s response, Brentford dominated the early stages of the second period, with Dango Ouattara seeing a sharp low strike smartly saved by Bayındır.
That proved to be crucial, as with time ticking into the final 20 minutes, the visitors were awarded a penalty when former Bees hero Bryan Mbeumo was pulled back by Collins with the goal at his mercy. Bruno Fernandes assumed the responsibility from the spot, but Kelleher guessed correctly to thwart the United captain, who missed his second PL penalty of the season.
Amorim’s side continued to chase an equaliser in the closing stages, with Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount being called upon from the bench.
However, it was the hosts who added gloss to the scoreline deep into stoppage time, as Mathias Jensen swept a sublime strike beyond the reach of Bayındır, extending the Bees’ impressive league form on home soil to just one defeat in seven matches (W4, D2).
Flashscore Man of the Match: Igor Thiago (Brentford)
Click here to see all the stats of the match.
Post-match reaction
Man Utd head coach Ruben Amorim told TNT Sports: "The feeling is always the same. We want to win. We didn't control the game. We played the game of Brentford. We were really confused, second balls, first balls, set pieces. The crucial moments they were against us.
"Tough to lose again, but we need to think about the next one. To lose at that club, it hurts a lot. We have to look at the next one. Everything is important in this club, not just the games at home."
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews said to BBC Sport: "It was deserved, quite dramatic at times and the nature of the penalty, goals, VAR - the usual in this day and age. But first half we were very, very good. Caused a lot of problems with the ball, diligent and aggressive without the ball.
"We stuck to that, the subs were brilliant coming on."