Norwich City vs Brentford. Premier League.
Carrow RoadAttendance26,887.
Match report and free highlights as Ivan Toney scores a hat-trick in 3-1 win at Norwich; Christian Eriksen impresses on his first Bees start; Teemu Pukki scores late consolation goal; Brentford move six points clear of relegation zone; Norwich remain bottom, five points adrift of safety
Sunday 6 March 2022 00:07, UK
Ivan Toney's hat-trick gave Brentford a significant 3-1 win at fellow relegation rivals Norwich as Christian Eriksen impressed on his first start for the Bees.
Eriksen, who was making his first professional start since he suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for Denmark at Euro 2020 in June, had a hand in Toney's opener (32).
The Dane's corner was flicked on by Kristoffer Ajer at the front post, and Toney had a simple finish to give the visitors a half-time lead.
Another Eriksen corner then led to Brentford's second as Ben Gibson was adjudged to have fouled Pontus Jansson with a high foot in the box, referee Anthony Taylor awarding a penalty following a VAR review.
Toney coolly sent Krul the wrong way to add his second (52) and put Brentford on track for their first win since the start of January.
Just five minutes later Toney completed his first Premier League hat-trick with another penalty (57) after Gibson was at fault again.
The Norwich defender brought Toney down when through on goal, and although Krul guessed correctly as Toney opted for the same side, the result was the same.
Norwich thought they had pulled one back in the 67th minute through Milot Rashica, but VAR ruled Teemu Pukki offside during the build-up to the disallowed goal.
Ten minutes later, VAR then denied Brentford a fourth goal as Bryan Mbeumo's strike was disallowed after Ethan Pinnock was offside.
But VAR could not rule out Pukki's late consolation for the home side (90+2) after he volleyed home from close-range following some good work from substitute Jonathan Rowe.
But defeat for Norwich keeps them bottom, five points adrift of safety while Brentford move six points clear of the relegation zone and end an eight-game Premier League winless run.
Brentford head coach Thomas Frank:
"We needed to build Christian [Eriksen] right so we knew that he needed those three weeks training with the team, but his physical foundation was really good.
"We knew he'd go close to playing 90 [minutes] soon. It'll take him a few more games before he's up to the top standards he'll provide, but the delivery for the first goal and the five balls in behind, you can just see he's got that extra magic, so no doubt that he will help us.
Asked about Toney's penalties: "I think the stats speak for themselves. The coolness and his strategy. For me, at this moment, he is the best penalty-taker in the world."
Norwich head coach Dean Smith:
"I'm really disappointed with the result and really disappointed with the official's performances as well.
"I was really pleased with our first-half performance; I thought we were the better team and probably deserved to be in the lead but the set-piece undone us.
"Within three moments we're 3-0 down and you can't quite understand why because Brandon Williams is brought down in the penalty box. For me, it's clear and obvious but unfortunately we're subjected to a word called subjection, whether it's clear and obvious.
"I can see why Ben Gibson's [foul] was given but that then changes the game. We should have a penalty but they get a penalty and score. Then another moment when Ben Gibson shouldn't go to ground. It's a poor decision to go to ground but he doesn't touch him and a penalty is given.
"I don't feel like I've been out-footballed or we've been outplayed but we've lost a game that was massive for us. I'm disappointed with the outcome."
At half-time, this award very much looked like going to Eriksen on his first Brentford start, but sentiment cannot get in the way as Toney was very much the hero for the Bees at Carrow Road.
A first Premier League hat-trick and a first Brentford top-flight hat-trick since 1937, marks a superb achievement for Toney, who has played at all four levels of English football.
The 25-year-old also kept up his impressive penalty record having now converted all 16 of his penalties for Brentford in all competitions.
Norwich welcome Chelsea in the Premier League on Thursday at 7.30pm, while Brentford host Burnley in the Premier League on March 12 at 3pm.
