Thomas Frank’s quick-fire Bees sting early but fail to maintain their cutting edge

Brentford set a new Premier League record on Saturday after they scored within the first minute of their match against West Ham – the third time they have struck in the opening 60 seconds in as many games. Everton were the last club to match that feat across a whole season in 1998/99, but they did not do so in three consecutive games.

The Bees stunned Manchester City by racing into an early lead a fortnight ago, with Yoane Wissa putting them in front at the Etihad within the opening minute, while they also struck first against Tottenham last weekend as Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring almost instantly after kick-off with a sensational swooping volley at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The Cameroon international repeated his exploits in almost identical fashion against the Hammers over the weekend, hooking home an extremely similar strike to put the west London side in front at the Gtech. 

Fast start, slow finish

Despite their bright starts, though, Brentford have actually failed to win all three of the games in which they have taken such a premature lead. They were beaten 2-1 by City after Erling Haaland responded to the early setback with two goals on September 14, and last weekend Spurs turned the game around and ended up defeating Thomas Frank’s side 3-1 thanks largely to an inspired performance from James Maddison.

Brentford’s inability to keep hold of a lead is something which also plagued them last season, as the Bees squandered 30 points from winning positions – more than any other side in the division. This time out they have seemingly picked up where they left off in 2023/24, dropping 8 points from winning positions – only Everton can match that record so far this term. 

It is an unwelcome statistic for the club, one made worse by the fact that they have taken the lead inside the first minute on three occasions in their previous three league games. Obviously, though, there is still a hugely positive element to this: they are fast-starters. With Ivan Toney departed to Saudi, Brentford’s emphasis is to get the ball to wide areas as quickly as possible and supply Mbeumo with crosses he can convert into goalscoring opportunities. 

In both of the last two games, first against Tottenham and then against West Ham, the implementation of this tactic has been glaringly apparent. Brentford play the ball back to the centre back or goalkeeper from kick-off and then launch it long and gamble on winning the first – or at least the second – ball on the edge of their opponent’s area. They then feed it wide and flood the box, with Mbeumo (or Wissa) the main focal point standing in and around the penalty spot. The strikers are then entrusted to do the rest, and have duly obliged in their last three games.

No Toney, No Problem

With no Toney to rely upon, Mbeumo has turned into the main focal point in Brentford’s attack, supported by the ever-impressive Yoane Wissa. 

It is a partnership which continues to blossom and strengthen when they are both fit and on the pitch, so much so that Mbeumo has now overtaken Toney as the Bees’ most effective player in the Premier League era. The former Troyes forward’s goal on Saturday was his 27th in the top-flight, which coupled with his 21 league assists takes him to 48 direct goal involvements for the club – bettering the departed Englishman’s 47. 

Mbeumo’s five goals in six games this term seals him a lucrative position in the upper echelons of the Premier League’s exclusive top-scorer chart, with only Erling Haaland (10) and Cole Palmer (6) netting more at this early stage. There is certainly more to come from him based on what we have seen so far, while for Brentford this season must be about progression as much as it is about consolidation. 

Retaining their Premier League status will always be the primary objective, but edging closer to a top 10 finish could certainly be achievable given the amount of quality they possess in particular areas, especially in the final third should Mbeumo remain fit. Scoring early is great. In the first minute? Even better. Retaining a precarious advantage with so much time left on the clock is the hard part. Brentford must now find a way of adding to their leads instead of squandering them.