During Saturday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham United, Bryan Mbeumo overtook Ivan Toney to become Brentford’s most productive attacking player in the Premier League.
Another acrobatic finish from the simply magnificent former Troyes forward was his 27th Bees goal in the top flight which, combined with 21 assists, takes him beyond Toney’s 47 direct goal involvements during his time at the club before moving to Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli this summer.
Brentford were left a little frustrated to share a 1-1 draw with West Ham United in a London derby at Gtech Community Stadium, but it has continued their unbeaten start at home this season with seven points collected from their three matches.
The Bees are back on an upward trajectory after a slight stagnation last season, mainly brought about by injuries, suspensions and bad luck in front of both goals.
With five strikes in six matches so far this term, perhaps the biggest blow last year was the absence of Mbeumo.
Saturday’s goal was not just something to mark him out as truly one of the best attackers in the Premier League, it was also the second successive week in which he had scored within the opening minute of a game – and the third successive match in which Brentford have done so (v Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United).
Naturally, that record is one seemingly unlikely to be matched or beaten and speaks to the detail and planning behind Thomas Frank and his side.
Even with the continued absences of full-backs Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry, as well as Yoane Wissa among others, there is real reason to be excited about Brentford from these early stages of the campaign.