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Bryan Mbeumo’s brace and a Yoane Wissa goal proved to be the difference between the two sides and condemned the Saints to their third straight loss since promotion back to the Premier League.
With departed striker Toney watching in the stands after his move to Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, the hosts proved too strong for Russell Martin’s men. They created the superior chances and capitalised on an error-strewn performance from Southampton’s backline.
Mbeumo opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time before doubling the lead halfway through the second period and Wissa then got on the scoresheet moments later to continue Brentford’s strong start to the campaign. Yukinari Sugawara bagged a consolation in injury time for the Saints.
Brentford sit in fifth place ahead of the first international break, while Southampton are second-bottom of the league table with zero points.
How the match unfolded
New signing Aaron Ramsdale was called into action just a minute into his Southampton debut, coming off his line quickly to deny Mikkel Damsgaard giving the home side a dream start.
His opposite number Mark Flekken was also busy early on, saving Kyle Walker-Peters’ effort from a tight angle, before Joe Aribo looped a header onto the crossbar from the resulting corner.
Wissa had a superb chance later in the first half but miscued his chip over the onrushing Ramsdale, and the visitors were then able to clear their lines.
The home side suffered a blow towards the end of the half, with Kristoffer Ajer being forced off through injury.
But the deadlock was broken in the 43rd minute. Bryan Mbeumo made no mistake on the rebound of a stinging low shot from Kevin Schade, which had smacked the post after defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis had been dispossessed in a perilous position.
Southampton could have equalised straight away through Adam Armstrong, but he fluffed his volley from close range with the goal at his mercy.
Schade had an opportunity to double Brentford’s lead after the start but couldn’t generate enough power on his header after a fabulous curling cross from the right by Mbeumo.
The Cameroon international then doubled his and his side’s advantage in the 65th minute, finishing off a quick Bees move after the Southampton backline were once again dispossessed deep in their own half.
Wissa got in on the act moments later, bundling home after Ramsdale struggled to claw out a looping header from a long throw.
The home side could have added even further gloss to the scoreline, but last-ditch Saints defending denied Wissa from further adding to his account. In injury time Southampton scored their first goal since their return to the top flight, with Sugawara finding the net with a neat effort that went in via the post.
Bees continue solid start as post-Toney era begins
Thomas Frank will be delighted with the vibrancy of his side’s display, with Brentford now having recorded two wins out of three. The Dane can also now look ahead to a new era without Toney.
He will be a big loss, but Brentford proved they still have firepower up front in the form of Wissa and Mbeumo. As shown this afternoon, the pair can cause problems for any defence in the division.
They dovetailed devastatingly this afternoon, with Mbeumo bagging two goals for himself to take his total to three already for the season. Wissa, meanwhile, is also on two league goals in three games.
One blot on today’s result will be the injury to Ajer, who has been such a crucial component of the side since his move from Celtic three years ago.
Nevertheless, Frank will be delighted by his side’s first three performances of the new season and six points secured, with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium their next opponent.
Defensive errors cost Saints who remain without a point
Southampton manager Martin will be disappointed with the manner in which his side conceded the goals, which led them to another defeat.
The scoreline suggests the away side were outplayed, but there were encouraging signs in the first half. Southampton enjoyed spells of decent possession and Walker-Peters went close after a good move down the right, while Aribo also hit the crossbar from a corner.
Nevertheless, the nature of the first two goals will be of concern to Martin, with Harwood-Bellis and Jack Stephens both struggling to deal with Brentford’s press for the first two goals.
There was a lack of potency going forward, with both Armstrong and Ben Brereton Diaz both isolated up front and wanting to drop deep to collect the ball. That allowed Brentford’s backline to squeeze up and force the away side into errors in precarious areas of the pitch, which ultimately contributed to the result being as comfortable as it was in the end.
Martin’s side must regroup after the international break, with Southampton next at home to Manchester United.
PREMIER LEAGUE