Barnsley 0-1 Brentford: Ivan Toney nets winner for Bees

Ivan Toney scored his 11th goal of the season to give Brentford a narrow victory at in-form Barnsley.

In a game of few chances, Toney was denied a second from close range by Jack Walton and the Tykes keeper then saved a late effort from substitute Marcus Forss.

It was a first win in four for the Bees, last season’s beaten play-off finalists, who had drawn four of their previous five games.

Thomas Frank’s side move up to eighth and are two points off the top six, although the four clubs in the play-off places are all in action on Wednesday.

Barnsley, who had won four of their first five matches under new boss Valerien Ismael, were unchanged for the third game in a row.

A tight first half saw Rico Henry fire narrowly wide for the visitors, while Tykes midfielder Alex Mowatt had a low strike parried away by Bees keeper David Raya.

Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo fired just over the bar after the break before Toney broke the deadlock with the west London club’s first goal in three games.

Ismael made a triple change after Toney’s opener but the hosts lacked inspiration in the final third, although they did have appeals for a penalty waved away by referee Darren Bond after Victor Adeboyejo’s cross hit Vitaly Janelt.

Brentford, who secured a third successive clean sheet, are now unbeaten in six games.

Barnsley head coach Valerien Ismael told BBC Radio Sheffield:

“We expected the best opponent in possession with a lot of quality. It is not easy to press an opponent like that because they are very calm and try to lure you.

“We need another approach to be more patient, and aggressive in some others.

“Out of possession we were really good but in possession we were not clinical enough in some situations. We have to work on this.

“It is a bit frustrating, but it was another level for us. It was like chess.”

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank:

“It was a very good win and I was very pleased with the performance. Ivan is doing a good job for us.

“I think we looked very solid, structured and mature in more or less everything we did.

“I loved the patience in the first half because Barnsley are a very good side and I’m very impressed with them.

“They have made it unbelievably difficult for a lot of teams and they press with an extreme intensity.”