Brentford kicked off their 2024/25 Premier League season with a bang, edging out Crystal Palace 2-1 in a London derby that left fans buzzing despite the absence of star striker Ivan Toney. Yoane Wissa stepped up to the plate, scoring the decisive goal in the second half to secure the win.
With Toney out of the lineup due to ongoing transfer talks, some might have expected Brentford to struggle. But the Bees proved they’re more than a one-man show. Bryan Mbeumo got the ball rolling just before the half-hour mark, curling a beautiful shot into the bottom-left corner that left the Palace defense scrambling.
Palace didn’t go down without a fight, though. They had goals from Eberechi Eze and Odsonne Edouard disallowed in either half, and they eventually drew level when Ethan Pinnock accidentally turned the ball into his own net. But as the game opened up, Wissa was there to capitalize, slotting home the winner with just 14 minutes left on the clock. This victory not only gave Brentford their first Premier League win over Palace but also lifted them to fifth place in the early standings.
How It All Played Out
Palace thought they had a dream start when Eze curled a stunning free-kick into the net after 26 minutes, but their joy was short-lived. The referee had already blown for a foul, and VAR couldn’t step in to overturn the decision. Brentford didn’t waste any time capitalizing on this stroke of luck. Just three minutes later, Mbeumo took advantage of a fluid team move, cutting inside and finding the back of the net with a strike reminiscent of Arjen Robben in his prime.
The second half saw Palace pushing harder, and their efforts paid off when Pinnock’s own goal brought them level. Edouard almost put Palace ahead, but he was narrowly offside. Brentford made the most of their chances, though, with Wissa tapping in the rebound after Dean Henderson’s save from Nathan Collins’ effort.
Even with a late push from Palace, Brentford’s defense held firm, and the Bees walked away with all three points.
Stepping Up Without Their Star Striker
When news broke that Ivan Toney wouldn’t be playing, you could almost hear the collective gasp from Brentford fans. With their record signing, Igor Thiago, also sidelined due to injury, the team was left without a traditional striker. But Brentford didn’t miss a beat. Wissa, Mbeumo, and Kevin Schade led the line brilliantly, constantly pulling the Palace defense out of shape.
Wissa and Mbeumo were especially impressive, combining for the first goal and then linking up again in the second half to restore Brentford’s lead. If Toney does end up leaving, Brentford can take comfort in knowing they have other players ready to step up.
A Reality Check for Palace
Crystal Palace ended last season on a high, and there were whispers of a possible push for Europe this time around. But this defeat might be a reminder that the road ahead won’t be easy. Even with key players like Marc Guehi on the pitch, Palace struggled to contain Brentford’s attack. Guehi, who’s been linked with a move to Newcastle, didn’t have his best game, allowing Mbeumo too much space to score the opener.
Palace did have their moments, especially in the second half when Eze and Adam Wharton started to find their rhythm. But the absence of Michael Olise, who recently joined Bayern Munich, and the physical presence of Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was subbed off at halftime, were keenly felt.
As the season continues, Palace will need to regroup quickly, with tough games against West Ham and Chelsea looming before the international break.
