By Betsefy
Ivan Toney scored a fine hat-trick to help Brentford record a 5-2 victory over Leeds United at the Brentford Community Stadium this afternoon.
The hosts came close inside three minutes as Mathias Jensen whipped an effort just wide of the far post, before Keane Lewis-Potter squandered a golden chance midway through the half.
The breakthrough arrived shortly after that latter chance, though, as referee Rob Jones overturned his original decision and awarded Brentford a penalty after Luis Sinisterra had brought down Toney.
The striker got up to take the spot kick himself, and made no mistake as he sent Illan Meslier the wrong way from 12 yards for his 50th Brentford goal.
All 50 of those goals had come from inside the box, but number 51 did not as Toney doubled his personal tally with a thunderous free kick into the far corner shortly before half time.
Leeds quickly reduced the deficit back to one in first-half stoppage time when Sinisterra made it two goals in as many games by flicking the ball over Rico Henry and firing home from 20 yards.
Lewis-Potter wasted another couple of presentable chances after the break, but Toney could not miss and he completed his sixth career hat-trick shortly before the hour mark with a chipped finish over Meslier, who was out of position having come out from his goal to clear a long ball forward.
Leeds’ frustration spilled to the touchline as manager Jesse Marsch was sent off after seeing a penalty appeal turned down, and his misery was almost compounded moments later when Toney grazed the top of the crossbar with another fine free kick.
The visitors refused to give in, though, and Patrick Bamford and Marc Roca both missed golden opportunities before the latter made it 3-2 by converting Luke Ayling‘s low cross.
The one-goal deficit lasted only one minute this time as Bentford quickly restored their advantage, Bryan Mbeumo racing through and slotting home. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, but VAR showed that the final touch had come off Robin Koch rather than Toney.
More to follow.
