One touch to mark two milestones for Ivan Toney. Another to seal victory for Brentford, which takes Thomas Frank’s side to within three points of the top four.
Where performances like these leave Toney in the thoughts of Gareth Southgate, meanwhile, will become clear soon enough.
That is now eight goals in 10 Premier League appearances this season — only Erling Haaland sits above the Brentford striker in the scoring charts after this double downed Brighton on an emotional, occasionally fractious Friday night.
Ivan Toney added to his England credentials with a brace against Brighton on Friday
David Raya put in a stunning display in goal for the home side and produced some top saves
The result sends Brentford into the top half after they went winless for three games
Toney’s second goal required nerve, to send Robert Sanchez the wrong way after the striker himself was felled by Joel Veltman inside the area. The striker’s first needed a dash of cheek and confidence to mark his 100th Brentford appearance with a 50th league goal for the Bees.
The chance was created by the ingenuity of Bryan Mbeumo and the industry of Frank Onyeka. The finish was all Toney’s work — after a clever run to the front post, the striker flicked a backheel through the legs of Adam Webster and past Sanchez.
This victory, only Brentford’s second in eight matches, takes them up to eighth. For Roberto De Zerbi, meanwhile, the wait for a win in charge of Brighton goes on. His record now reads: one draw, two defeats.
Toney scored his first goal with a cheeky flick, and doubled the lead from the penalty spot
Toney’s sublime finish, shortly before the half-hour, stirred this place. Until then, most of the noise and the colour had come from the pocket of travelling support.
‘Oh, Enock Mwepu,’ went up from kick-off. It went on and on. For nearly 15 minutes, all told. Even as Frank Onyeka headed over the game’s first chance. Even as Brentford complained about early time-wasting.
They did stop, briefly, as Leandro Trossard threatened down the other end, before picking up where they left off. It was one of a number of tributes to the 24-year-old midfielder, who was forced to retire this week due to a hereditary heart condition.
Defender Ethan Pinnock was a vital cog for the Bees and made some important blocks
Earlier, Brighton’s players had warmed-up in Mwepu T-shirts before both sets of supporters applauded, lamenting the tragic end to such a promising career.
By kick-off, the away end was littered with Zambia flags. Among those holding one? Brighton owner Tony Bloom. He had a decent view for Brighton’s first two openings, both of which fell to Danny Welbeck.
The first was well blocked by Ethan Pinnock. The second, a header, was easily saved by David Raya. Those half-chances came at the start of a sustained spell of pressure from Brighton. And soon, Raya had to be sharp to keep Brentford on terms. Twice.
Brighton defender Joel Veltman gave away the penalty for Brentford’s second goal
He tipped over a rocket from Moises Caicedo and then, when a loose ball fell to Joel Veltman on the six-yard line, Raya stayed big to save.
Brentford had created precious little until, out of nowhere, Mbeumo shifted the course of this match, almost on his own. Not long after the winger sent a volley dipping on to the crossbar of Robert Sanchez, his genius allowed Toney to put Brentford ahead.
Mbeumo appeared to be going nowhere down the right flank until some quick feet took him out of a tight spot and into space. He drove towards the area, fed Onyeka, whose square-ball reached Toney.
It was lovely football. There wasn’t much of that in the half’s final minutes, when this descended into a fractious battle which produced a flurry of cards. Including one apiece for Frank and De Zerbi. They squared up, and both benches emptied for a shoving match, after Veltman clashed with Frank as the coach looked to control the ball.
Both managers were booked in the first half after an argument on the touchline
Brighton had started the second half well, Welbeck heading over from another promising position, before Veltman gifted Toney the chance to give Brentford breathing space.
It was in an almost identical position from where the Dutchman nearly scored in the first half. Again he swung his foot at the ball. This time, however, he caught only Toney, who picked himself up from the turf to double his tally.
Brighton pressed for a route back but Solly March’s back-post header, saved well by Raya, was about all they created.