As it had to be, so it was. There were plenty of scares and bumps and wobbles along the way – and surely nobody was anticipating a brilliant Neal Maupay winner – but the story that always seemed probable eventually played out as the returning Ivan Toney brought Brentford their first win in 49 days, lifting them above Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.
Toney, having been suspended for eight months for breaching Premier League gambling regulations, scored – “of course”, as the stadium announcer bellowed, after an unnervingly euphoric sprint through the stand – but more significant in easing Brentford’s relegation fears was how much more coherent they looked as an attacking force with him in the side.
