Thomas Frank staying grounded with problem area outlined after Brentford maul Leeds
Brentford boss Thomas Frank feels there are still plenty of things for his side to work on despite a comprehensive victory over Leeds United.
The Bees moved up to seventh in the top-flight standings after a 5-2 victory at Brentford Community Stadium. Striker Ivan Toney bagged a hat-trick for the hosts, moving past the 50-goal mark for the club. He fired home a penalty on 30 minutes and then doubled his tally for the day with a curling effort on 43 minutes.
Leeds were back in the contest just before the break as Luis Sinisterra made it 2-1 in first-half stoppage time. But Toney gave the hosts some breathing space with his third goal in the 58th minute.
Marc Roca gave the Whites hope on 79 minutes but 60 seconds later Bryan Mbuemo restored the Bees’ two-goal advantage.
Substitute Yoane Wissa ended the scoring in injury time as Brentford completed a superb afternoon in west London.
Frank was delighted that his men managed to take the lead but felt the visitors were their equal during the opening 45 minutes.
“It felt much better to be ahead – it’s a better position to be in, definitely,” he told BBC Sport. “Leeds edged the first half in terms of performance – they looked a little bit better on the eye and caused us problems in the final third, without us giving anything away.
“But in both boxes we were very good – defensively in the first half, and at the other end we scored two goals and had two big chances. That’s a very big threat.”
Frank looks to his defence
It was a confident display by the capital outfit. But, despite the margin of victory, the Danish tactician was critical of his rearguard.
“In the second half, I really think we gave too much away,” he added. “But on counter-attacks and creating chances – wow, we are such a threat going forward.
“When you win 5-2 in only our second season in the Premier League, we need to celebrate every win. It was well-deserved but we need to work on the defensive side.”
Toney top from the spot
Toney has now bagged 52 goals for Brentford and has notched 19 of his 20 penalty attempts. And Frank has no doubt where the former Peterborough man ranks from 12 yards out.
“Today, again, a penalty from the best penalty-taker in the world,” he continued. “I know those are big words but I just say what I see during the week, how he does it. He’s so cool and composed and he’s got a strategy for it.”
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