Brentford began life after Ivan Toney with a convincing 3-1 victory over struggling Southampton at the Brentford Community Stadium this afternoon.
Bryan Mbeumo grabbed the spotlight from his former strike partner with a brace for Thomas Frank's side, before Yoane Wissa weighed in with one of his own to put the result beyond doubt for the Bees with more than 20 minutes remaining.
A stoppage-time Yukinari Sugawara stunner saw Southampton finally get off the mark on the goal front this season, but they are still searching for their first points since returning to the top flight having now lost all of their opening three league games.
While Russell Martin's men sit 19th and are one of only two remaining pointless teams in the Premier League, Brentford have made it back-to-back victories since their opening-day loss to Liverpool, climbing up to sixth in the table.
After a deadline day which saw Toney's proposed moves to Chelsea and then Al-Ahli steal many of the headlines, Frank will be delighted to see two of his other forwards step up to fill the goalscoring void left by the England international - hailed by the club as a "legend" upon his lucrative departure to Saudi Arabia.
Toney's omission from Brentford's first two matches and lengthy ban last season mean that the Bees are well versed in playing without their ex-star man, and they showed no sign of missing him after his absence was made permanent.
Mbeumo in particular looks ready to inherit the mantle of being the main man, capitalising on a kind deflection off the post to open the scoring shortly before half time and then doubling his personal tally after the hour mark.
Wissa then added a third for Brentford to effectively wrap up all three points, rendering Sugawara's sumptuous strike a mere consolation in stoppage time.
BRENTFORD vs. SOUTHAMPTON HIGHLIGHTS
Bryan Mbeumo goal vs. Southampton (43rd min, Brentford 1-0 Southampton)
© Imago
Mikkel Damsgaard steals possession from Jack Stephens deep in his own half and pokes the ball to Kevin Schade, who strikes the post after driving from the left side into the box, but Bryan Mbeumo slots home the rebound with Aaron Ramsdale still scrambling!
Bryan Mbeumo goal vs. Southampton (64th min, Brentford 2-0 Southampton)
© Imago
The Saints try to build out patiently from the back but Mikkel Damsgaard wins the ball from Jan Bednarek just outside the penalty area before an unmarked Mbeumo finishes with a strike into the left corner from just inside the box!
Another awful Southampton error!
Yoane Wissa goal vs. Southampton (69th min, Brentford 3-0 Southampton)
© Imago
Mathias Jensen launches the ball into the box from a throw in, and Vitaly Janelt manages to flick it on at the near post for Yoane Wissa, who pushes the ball across the line after crashing into it.
Surely that is all three points secured for Brentford?
Yukinari Sugawara goal vs. Brentford (94th min, Brentford 3-1 Southampton)
© Imago
The Saints score their first goal of the Premier League season thanks to Yukinari Sugawara, who finishes first time with a delightful outside-foot strike from the right side of a crowded penalty area after Adam Lallana heads the ball down to him.
A consolation goal for Martin's side!
MAN OF THE MATCH - BRYAN MBEUMO
© Imago
With Ivan Toney's departure to Saudi Arabia, Bryan Mbeumo showed against Southampton that he can be the one to step up in his absence, with the forward scoring twice against the Saints.
Mbeumo also created three chances, produced four shots and was a constant thorn in Southampton's side, with the winger always a threat during counter-attacks.
BRENTFORD VS. SOUTHAMPTON MATCH STATS
Possession: Brentford 37%-63% Southampton
Shots: Brentford 20-18 Southampton
Shots on target: Brentford 7-6 Southampton
Corners: Brentford 2-8 Southampton
Fouls: Brentford 10-7 Southampton
BEST STATS
🔎 | FOCUS
— Sofascore Football (@SofascoreINT) August 31, 2024
Bryan Mbeumo is our highest-rated player of this afternoon's Premier League action after impressing in Brentford's 3–1 win over Southampton:
👌 49 touches
⚽️ 2 goals
🎯 4 shots/3 on target (0.80 xG)
🎁 2 big chances created
🔑 3 key passes
👟 27/33 accurate passes... pic.twitter.com/VZnhuJW6WU
WHAT NEXT?
Brentford will play champions Manchester City after the international break on September 14, before they face Leyton Orient in the third round of the EFL Cup on September 17.
As for the Saints, they face Erik ten Hag's Manchester United in their next Premier League game on September 14, while they will hope to overcome Everton in the EFL Cup on September 17.
Lewis Nolan
