Ivan Toney’s difficulties in scoring persisted as Brentford ended in a goalless draw with Fulham in the Premier League.
The England striker managed just one shot on target and a total of two shots, failing to score in his tenth consecutive Premier League match.
However, Brentford’s manager Thomas Frank remains confident in Toney’s ability to return to form soon. Speaking to BBC Match Of The Day, Frank said, “There are periods where any striker may not score for a while, but they will find the net again. Ivan is a top player and I’m confident he’ll be scoring again soon.”
Raul Jimenez had Fulham’s best opportunity to score when he received a low cross from Adama Traore but missed the target from close range.
For Brentford, Bryan Mbeumo struck the crossbar and the team felt aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty after Yoane Wissa seemed to be pushed over by Sasa Lukic.
Following the draw, Fulham moved up to 12th place, edging ahead of Brighton on goal difference, though Brighton has two games in hand. Brentford stays in 16th position.
Quiet day for Toney
Brentford had already secured their Premier League survival while Fulham’s hopes for a European spot had diminished.
This backdrop meant that the clash at the Gtech Community Stadium was largely about claiming three points and local bragging rights, given the close proximity of the two clubs in west London.
The match was played with some attacking freedom, injecting intensity into the game. However, the quality inside the penalty areas was lacking, which contributed to a rather quiet performance from Toney.
The 28-year-old had made a strong comeback at the end of January, scoring four goals in the first five games after an eight-month suspension for betting offences. However, since netting in a 4-1 loss to Liverpool on February 17, Toney’s only goal came for England in a friendly against Belgium in mid-March, leaving him goalless for Brentford since.
This drought ties his longest run without a goal, mirroring a similar spell from February to April 2019 during his time at Peterborough United.
Against Fulham, Toney had minimal involvement in the game, receiving limited service from his teammates in a match with relatively low stakes.
With just two games remaining in the season, it remains uncertain if Toney’s performances will earn him a spot in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad for Euro 2024.
Player of the match: Nathan Collins