Bryan Mbeumo brace helps Brentford beat Southampton 3-1

Updated: Aug 31, 2024, 01:11 pm

Bryan Mbeumo's double and a goal by Yoane Wissa earned Brentford a comfortable 3-1 home win over promoted Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday.

Brentford, who beat Crystal Palace 2-1 in their season opener but lost to Liverpool 2-0 last weekend, moved up to fifth on six points while Southampton are 19th and still without a point.

"They made errors because we pressed them unbelievably well," Brentford coach Thomas Frank told the BBC.

"I think we are one of the best teams to do the high pressure in the Premier League. The players are so committed and that is the reason why we capitalised on errors from Southampton."

Mbeumo put the hosts in front just before halftime with a simple low finish, following up on Kevin Schade's strike which bounced off the post.

He doubled the advantage in the 65th minute with a first-time shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Bryan Mbeumo's double helped Brenford forget the departure of their talismanic forward Ivan Toney who left the club on transfer deadline day.
Aaron Chown/PA Images via Getty Images

Brentford profited from another defensive error by Southampton, who lost the ball just outside the box and Mathias Jensen played in Mbeumo with a precise pass for his third goal in three Premier League games.

"It was a great team performance today," Mbeumo said. "We stuck to the plan the gaffer gave us and it worked perfectly."

Wissa bundled the ball in past Southampton keeper Aaron Ramsdale in the 69th minute, making it 3-0 after Nathan Collins headed the ball on from near the back line following a throw-in.

Ramsdale started for Southampton one day after finalising his transfer from Arsenal, while former Brentford forward Ivan Toney watched from the stands following his move to Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli.

Southampton made two attacking substitutions at halftime, introducing striker Cameron Archer and midfielder Mateus Fernandes but they managed only two shots on target after the break.

Defender Yukinari Sugawara scored a consolation goal in stoppage time for the visitors, who lost their first three games of a league season for the first time since 2012-13.

"We made two mistakes that we were punished for, which is frustrating and disappointing," Southampton manager Russell Martin said.

"The details and structure of the team are not right. The players are doing what I've asked but the positions are not right.

"You get punished in the Premier League. We missed so many chances. I'm glad we did score because we might relax."

Southampton host Manchester United on Sept. 14 while Brentford travel to champions Manchester City the same day.