Brentford 0-0 Fulham: Ivan Toney's goal drought increases to 10 Premier League matches

By Timothy AbrahamBBC Sport

Last updated on 4 May 2024.From the section Premier League173

Ivan Toney's struggles in front of goal continued as Brentford played out a goalless Premier League draw with Fulham.

England striker Toney registered just one shot on target - and two in total - as he drew a blank for the 10th Premier League game in succession.

But Bees boss Thomas Frank backed Toney to rediscover his goalscoring touch soon.

"There are spells for any striker where they don't score in a period of time and then they'll do it again," Frank told BBC Match Of The Day.

"Ivan is a top player and he will score again soon."

Raul Jimenez had Fulham's best chance when he was picked out by Adama Traore's low cross but contrived to miss the target from close range.

Bryan Mbeumo hit the crossbar for the Bees who also had a decent shout for a penalty turned down after Yoane Wissa appeared to be bundled over by Sasa Lukic.

Reaction to Saturday's Premier League action

Fulham moved up to 12th spot ahead of Brighton on goal difference, although the Seagulls have two games in hand, while Brentford remain 16th.

Quiet day for Toney

Brentford's top-flight status had already been secured while Fulham's bid to finish in the European places was over.

It meant there was little to play for at the Gtech Community Stadium beyond three points and bragging rights for two clubs situated only a handful of miles apart in west London.

That allowed both sides to play with a level of attacking freedom, and there was a degree of intensity to the contest.

However, there was also lack of quality in and around the penalty box and among those to have a subdued afternoon in that regard was Toney.

The 28-year-old scored four goals in the first five games when he returned to action at the end of January following an eight-month suspension for betting offences.

Since he scored in a 4-1 defeat by Liverpool on 17 February there has been a goal for England in a mid-March friendly international against Belgium, but nothing for the Bees.

He is now on his joint longest run without a goal having also gone 10 games without finding the net between February and April 2019 while at Peterborough United.

In truth, Toney saw little of the ball against Fulham and, starved of service from his team-mates, largely coasted through a game with little at stake.

It remains to be seen whether Toney shows enough in Brentford's remaining two games to squeeze into Gareth Southgate's 26-man England squad for Euro 2024.

Player of the match

CollinsNathan Collins

with an average of 7.62

Brentford
Fulham

Brentford

Squad number22Player nameCollins
Average rating
7.62
Squad number24Player nameDamsgaard
Average rating
6.65
Squad number5Player namePinnock
Average rating
6.54
Squad number12Player nameReguilón
Average rating
6.52
Squad number6Player nameNørgaard
Average rating
6.44
Squad number9Player nameSchade
Average rating
6.41
Squad number19Player nameMbeumo
Average rating
6.38
Squad number1Player nameFlekken
Average rating
6.14
Squad number27Player nameJanelt
Average rating
6.12
Squad number30Player nameRoerslev
Average rating
6.03
Squad number23Player nameLewis-Potter
Average rating
6.00
Squad number11Player nameWissa
Average rating
5.94
Squad number20Player nameAjer
Average rating
5.93
Squad number33Player nameYarmoliuk
Average rating
5.85
Squad number15Player nameOnyeka
Average rating
5.66
Squad number17Player nameToney
Average rating
5.53

Fulham

Squad number19Player nameRodrigo Muniz
Average rating
7.50
Squad number17Player nameLeno
Average rating
7.29
Squad number22Player nameIwobi
Average rating
6.96
Squad number20Player nameWillian
Average rating
6.92
Squad number3Player nameBassey
Average rating
6.85
Squad number10Player nameCairney
Average rating
6.74
Squad number31Player nameDiop
Average rating
6.70
Squad number21Player nameCastagne
Average rating
6.69
Squad number26Player nameJoão Palhinha
Average rating
6.68
Squad number18Player nameAndreas Pereira
Average rating
6.65
Squad number28Player nameLukic
Average rating
6.40
Squad number33Player nameRobinson
Average rating
6.36
Squad number11Player nameTraoré
Average rating
6.34
Squad number14Player nameDe Cordova-Reid
Average rating
6.32
Squad number8Player nameWilson
Average rating
6.02
Squad number7Player nameJiménez
Average rating
5.63

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Brentford

Formation 4-3-3

1Flekken
20AjerSubstituted forRoerslevat 45+3'minutes
22Collins
5Pinnock
12ReguilónBooked at 67mins
24DamsgaardSubstituted forSchadeat 82'minutes
6NørgaardSubstituted forOnyekaat 82'minutes
27JaneltSubstituted forYarmoliukat 66'minutes
19Mbeumo
17Toney
23Lewis-PotterSubstituted forWissaat 66'minutes

Substitutes

7Maupay
9Schade
11Wissa
13M Jorgensen
14Ghoddos
15Onyeka
30Roerslev
31Valdimarsson
33Yarmoliuk

Fulham

Formation 4-2-3-1

17Leno
21Castagne
31Diop
3BasseyBooked at 89mins
33Robinson
26João Palhinha
28LukicSubstituted forCairneyat 75'minutes
22IwobiSubstituted forWilsonat 90+2'minutes
18PereiraSubstituted forDe Cordova-Reidat 75'minutes
20WillianSubstituted forTraoréat 64'minutes
19Muniz CarvalhoSubstituted forJiménezat 64'minutes

Substitutes

1Rodák
2Tete
7Jiménez
8Wilson
9Broja
10Cairney
11Traoré
13Ream
14De Cordova-Reid

Referee:: Graham Scott
Attendance:: 17,090

Match Stats

Home TeamBrentfordAway TeamFulham

Possession: Home54%; Away46%

Shots: Home7; Away15

Shots on Target: Home3; Away3

Corners: Home7; Away6

Fouls: Home3; Away6

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Brentford 0, Fulham 0.
90'+7'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Brentford 0, Fulham 0.

90'+7'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Antonee Robinson (Fulham) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Tom Cairney.
90'+6'
Post update
Attempt missed. Kevin Schade (Brentford) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Frank Onyeka with a cross following a corner.
90'+5'
Post update
Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Issa Diop.
90'+4'
Post update
Nathan Collins (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+4'
Post update
Foul by Raúl Jiménez (Fulham).
90'+3'
Post update
Offside, Brentford. Bryan Mbeumo is caught offside.
90'+2'
Substitution
Substitution, Fulham. Harry Wilson replaces Alex Iwobi.
90'+2'
Post update
Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Issa Diop.
89'
Booking
Calvin Bassey (Fulham) is shown the yellow card.
88'
Post update
Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Raúl Jiménez.
88'
Post update
Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Calvin Bassey.
85'
Post update
Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Timothy Castagne.
82'
Substitution
Substitution, Brentford. Frank Onyeka replaces Christian Nørgaard.
82'
Substitution
Substitution, Brentford. Kevin Schade replaces Mikkel Damsgaard.
80'
Post update
Corner, Fulham. Conceded by Mark Flekken.
80'
Post update
Attempt saved. Adama Traoré (Fulham) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Tom Cairney.
79'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Antonee Robinson (Fulham) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
78'
Post update
Corner, Fulham. Conceded by Nathan Collins.

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173 comments

Comment posted by 8791, at 17:54 4 May
Toney struggling with confidence, he should back himself more.......oh wait
Reply posted by eric, at 18:28 4 May
eric replied:
Probably backed a nil nil draw today, money in the bank
Comment posted by adamyclau, at 17:36 4 May
The chants of “Toney out” were a shock and the boo when he got the armband was probably deserved. Calling Brentford “nothing special” and saying “fudge Brentford” have finally come back to get him!
Comment posted by okokok, at 17:21 4 May
Toney has put himself in the shop window since his return from the ban. He was in Harrods to start with but now he has slipped into the bargain basement store. I can see him having to stay at the club that supported him during his ban. It's called Karma.
Reply posted by eric, at 18:23 4 May
eric replied:
Looks like he will be on the plane to Germany, what ever his current form is, Southgate out
Comment posted by David Windsor, at 18:39 4 May
Toney seems to have thought that all he had to do was play a few games for Brentford after suspension & sit back & wait for all the top clubs to queue up for him at season's end. You might think ( as I do) that isn't a great return for Brentford given their loyalty & support. But now, coming back, he's been pretty much useless & is lucky to be a pick. Who's going to want him now- do Brentford?
Comment posted by Perivale Elvis, at 18:25 4 May
Toneys been rubbish for several months. I don’t know how he gets picked. It’s all gone to his head.
Reply posted by CommonSense, at 19:51 4 May
CommonSense replied:
All that time of has taken its toll
Comment posted by Rogue Scone, at 19:44 4 May
How much are they asking for Toney?
I hope that whatever the price Arsenal stay well clear of him.
He isn't particularly good and I remember the noises he made in the media to engineer a move from Brentford.
Nothing but a mercenary.
Reply posted by Roy Simmons, at 21:03 4 May
Roy Simmons replied:
Brentford price 80milliin if you want him.
Comment posted by InsideMyOutside, at 19:43 4 May
It's supposed to be a match report BBC, not a Bee's confab or a Toney love-in.

Didn't the Bee's keeper touch an early Cottager shot onto his bar and over? Weren't the Cottagers the more likely team to score after the hour mark not that they get much of a mention in this so called report?

BBC sports pages may look impressive but content is crap - really crap.
Reply posted by Stealth Tax BBC, at 20:07 4 May
Stealth Tax BBC replied:
they are not that good
Comment posted by Zee Zee Top, at 17:24 4 May
The definition of "end-of-term" match. Brentford and Fulham are two well-coached sides with safety secured - 0-0 was always on the cards today. Fans moaning the lack of goals should look to the sides beneath them and be grateful - things could be much worse!
Reply posted by DrK9, at 17:41 4 May
DrK9 replied:
The ref was definitely already on holiday.
Comment posted by Dain_Bramaged, at 18:02 4 May
Why the hell would you make this guy captain, after everything he has done and not only that but said about the club. They are meant to be leaders both off on and off the pitch and set an example. Seems to me they have tried to placate him and whispering sweet nothings in his ear. I've personally never liked or rated him much he comes across as big headed.
Reply posted by fillyerboots, at 18:13 4 May
fillyerboots replied:
I guess Thomas Frank might know him a little better than you!
Comment posted by Ronky, at 17:57 4 May
He’s heard the rumours that United want him so he’s doing his best to dissuade them.
Comment posted by Chiswick Jim, at 17:56 4 May
Will be surprised if we get anything for Toney now, he seems totally disinterested. Very happy we’ve stayed up but with all the injuries it was touch and go. With the return of our two full backs and Thiago next season we’ll press the reset button and hopefully better times ahead. COYB.
Comment posted by Jimbo180482, at 20:00 4 May
It's OK, he takes pens so he's going to the Euro's instead of Watkins with his measly 19 prem goals and pointless 12 assists.......according to our amazing pundits.
Comment posted by craigneo, at 17:21 4 May
Toney not worth much.
Reply posted by Casper18, at 22:15 4 May
Casper18 replied:
You wanna bet?
Comment posted by John H, at 17:41 4 May
My observation is that currently that Toney is overarated and over priced,
He needs to get a season back under his belt to prove he is worth the money.?
Comment posted by over-and-out, at 17:57 4 May
Was Toney Playing today because if he was it didn’t do much the man’s definitely a waste of space since he come back from his ban hopefully, he won’t get nowhere near the England team
Reply posted by conan the librarian, at 18:10 4 May
conan the librarian replied:
were fulham playing,hardly a mention
Comment posted by Reg, at 18:33 4 May
Collins man of the match?? What a joke! He's a complete liability and i'm fearful every time he's on the ball. Pinnock or Reguilon for me
Reply posted by beesyellow22, at 19:51 4 May
beesyellow22 replied:
He has been awful all season but he’s getting better.
Comment posted by VAR has ruined football, at 17:46 4 May
Instead of moaning he should have been training on his own at home they could not stop that
But hw was too busy crying he was hard done by
Reply posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 07:39 5 May
This name is awaiting moderation replied:
Where did you get this information? He was training throughout his ban, apart from a holiday. Also, when did he complain he was hard done by?
Comment posted by Mark, at 20:41 4 May
He needs to go asap, messing up the balance of the team now and TF keeps putting him in the team and won't sub him ever, against Luton we played the best free flowing game that I can remember, bring IT back in the mix, we look bloody awful, at Everton las week and today v Fulham. he needs to go, think he already has gone in his head, bloody awful.
Reply posted by abc, at 00:40 5 May
abc replied:
Not awful but he doesn't seem to be putting in the effort for the unglamorous.
We've all done it. Much more energy and fun going forward than tracking back.
But that's in the park not the prem.
We deserve more. He also needs to do it for himself.
It the lack of closing down, getting back onside, making runs into space. But some of his little through balls are sublime.

This too will pass.
COYB
Comment posted by Blueboy, at 18:52 4 May
Sadly a bore draw, neither side really deserving of 3 points. Hopefully with the Bees long term injuries back and fully fit we can look forward to next season, regardless of what the trolls say!! Unfortunately another season of c..p referee's. Guy today looked like he was carrying a 100wgt on his bak
Reply posted by Blueboy, at 18:54 4 May
Blueboy replied:
back
Comment posted by The P B Nemesis, at 07:08 5 May
An HYS for a dead rubber 🤔
Fine - because EVERYONE should have the opportunity to comment on the BBC platform that is effectively , owned by the people
But no opportunity to comment on teams playing do or die final games in the Championship
To put a twist on George Orwell..
All teams supporters are equal / but some are more equal than others
From a Pompey fan
Reply posted by PoundlandPeP, at 10:01 5 May
PoundlandPeP replied:
Agreed, every PL game has a HYS, not one game had significant importance yet the FL had alot of games with promotion/relegation attached to it, yet nothing from the BBC. Good luck for next season Pompey, proper football club 👍

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Arsenal	36	26	5	5	88	28	60	83
2	Man City	35	25	7	3	87	33	54	82
3	Liverpool	35	22	9	4	77	36	41	75
4	Aston Villa	35	20	7	8	73	52	21	67

5	Tottenham	34	18	6	10	67	54	13	60
6	Newcastle	35	17	5	13	78	56	22	56

7	Man Utd	34	16	6	12	52	51	1	54

8	Chelsea	34	14	9	11	65	59	6	51
9	West Ham	35	13	10	12	56	65	-9	49
10	Bournemouth	36	13	9	14	52	63	-11	48
11	Wolves	36	13	7	16	49	60	-11	46
12	Fulham	36	12	8	16	51	55	-4	44
13	Brighton	34	11	11	12	52	57	-5	44
14	Crystal Palace	35	10	10	15	45	57	-12	40
15	Everton	36	12	9	15	38	49	-11	37
16	Brentford	36	9	9	18	52	60	-8	36
17	Nottm Forest	36	8	9	19	45	63	-18	29

18	Luton	36	6	8	22	49	78	-29	26
19	Burnley	36	5	9	22	39	74	-35	24
20	Sheff Utd	36	3	7	26	35	100	-65	16

Quiet day for Toney

Brentford

Avg

Fulham

Avg

Line-ups

Brentford

Substitutes

Fulham

Substitutes

Match Stats

Live Text

Comments

Join the conversation

Comment posted by 8791, at 17:54 4 May8791

Reply posted by eric, at 18:28 4 Mayeric

Comment posted by adamyclau, at 17:36 4 Mayadamyclau

Comment posted by okokok, at 17:21 4 Mayokokok

Reply posted by eric, at 18:23 4 Mayeric

Comment posted by David Windsor, at 18:39 4 MayDavid Windsor

Comment posted by Perivale Elvis, at 18:25 4 MayPerivale Elvis

Reply posted by CommonSense, at 19:51 4 MayCommonSense

Comment posted by Rogue Scone, at 19:44 4 MayRogue Scone

Reply posted by Roy Simmons, at 21:03 4 MayRoy Simmons

Comment posted by InsideMyOutside, at 19:43 4 MayInsideMyOutside

Reply posted by Stealth Tax BBC, at 20:07 4 MayStealth Tax BBC

Comment posted by Zee Zee Top, at 17:24 4 MayZee Zee Top

Reply posted by DrK9, at 17:41 4 MayDrK9

Comment posted by Dain_Bramaged, at 18:02 4 MayDain_Bramaged

Reply posted by fillyerboots, at 18:13 4 Mayfillyerboots

Comment posted by Ronky, at 17:57 4 MayRonky

Comment posted by Chiswick Jim, at 17:56 4 MayChiswick Jim

Comment posted by Jimbo180482, at 20:00 4 MayJimbo180482

Comment posted by craigneo, at 17:21 4 Maycraigneo

Reply posted by Casper18, at 22:15 4 MayCasper18

Comment posted by John H, at 17:41 4 MayJohn H

Comment posted by over-and-out, at 17:57 4 Mayover-and-out

Reply posted by conan the librarian, at 18:10 4 Mayconan the librarian

Comment posted by Reg, at 18:33 4 MayReg

Reply posted by beesyellow22, at 19:51 4 Maybeesyellow22

Comment posted by VAR has ruined football, at 17:46 4 MayVAR has ruined football

Reply posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 07:39 5 MayThis name is awaiting moderation

Comment posted by Mark, at 20:41 4 MayMark

Reply posted by abc, at 00:40 5 Mayabc

Comment posted by Blueboy, at 18:52 4 MayBlueboy

Reply posted by Blueboy, at 18:54 4 MayBlueboy

Comment posted by The P B Nemesis, at 07:08 5 MayThe P B Nemesis

Reply posted by PoundlandPeP, at 10:01 5 MayPoundlandPeP

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Comment posted by 8791, at 17:54 4 May

Reply posted by eric, at 18:28 4 May

Comment posted by adamyclau, at 17:36 4 May

Comment posted by okokok, at 17:21 4 May

Reply posted by eric, at 18:23 4 May

Comment posted by David Windsor, at 18:39 4 May

Comment posted by Perivale Elvis, at 18:25 4 May

Reply posted by CommonSense, at 19:51 4 May

Comment posted by Rogue Scone, at 19:44 4 May

Reply posted by Roy Simmons, at 21:03 4 May

Comment posted by InsideMyOutside, at 19:43 4 May

Reply posted by Stealth Tax BBC, at 20:07 4 May

Comment posted by Zee Zee Top, at 17:24 4 May

Reply posted by DrK9, at 17:41 4 May

Comment posted by Dain_Bramaged, at 18:02 4 May

Reply posted by fillyerboots, at 18:13 4 May

Comment posted by Ronky, at 17:57 4 May

Comment posted by Chiswick Jim, at 17:56 4 May

Comment posted by Jimbo180482, at 20:00 4 May

Comment posted by craigneo, at 17:21 4 May

Reply posted by Casper18, at 22:15 4 May

Comment posted by John H, at 17:41 4 May

Comment posted by over-and-out, at 17:57 4 May

Reply posted by conan the librarian, at 18:10 4 May

Comment posted by Reg, at 18:33 4 May

Reply posted by beesyellow22, at 19:51 4 May

Comment posted by VAR has ruined football, at 17:46 4 May

Reply posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 07:39 5 May

Comment posted by Mark, at 20:41 4 May

Reply posted by abc, at 00:40 5 May

Comment posted by Blueboy, at 18:52 4 May

Reply posted by Blueboy, at 18:54 4 May

Comment posted by The P B Nemesis, at 07:08 5 May

Reply posted by PoundlandPeP, at 10:01 5 May