Brentford 3-2 Nottingham Forest: Ivan Toney makes goalscoring return as Neal Maupay settles five-goal thriller

Report and free match highlights as Ivan Toney marks his return following an eight-month ban with a goal as Brentford ease relegation fears with a first Premier League win since December 2; Neal Maupay's turn and shot settles pulsating contest

@Ben_Islington

Saturday 20 January 2024 20:08, UK

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Ivan Toney made a goalscoring return to football after an eight-month ban as Brentford ended their five-game losing run with a crucial 3-2 victory over fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest on Saturday Night Football.

Toney — who was fined £50,000 and warned about his future conduct for 232 breaches of the FA's betting rules — impressed on his first competitive outing for 260 days, but Forest silenced the home crowd when Danilo's third-minute half volley broke the deadlock.

Brentford responded well, and with the spotlight on one man in particular, it was their returning talisman who crowned his second coming in style as it was his 19th-minute free-kick that restored parity.

The hosts completed the turnaround just shy of the hour-mark as Ben Mee — on his 50th Brentford appearance — met Mathias Jensen's corner to find the inside of the near post with a firm header (58).

Brentford: Flekken (6), Pinnock (6), Roerslev (7), Collins (6), Mee (7), Jensen (7), Janelt (6), Damsgaard (6), Lewis-Potter (6), Maupay (7), Toney (8).

Subs: Dasilva (n/a), Reguilon (6), Zanka, Ajer (n/a), Baptiste (6), Yarmoliuk (n/a).

Nottingham Forest: Turner (6), Tavares (6), Murillo (5), Omobamidele (5), Montiel (6), Danilo (7), Yates (6), Mangala (7), Dominguez (6), Hudson-Odoi (7), Wood (7).

Subs: Williams (6), Aguilera (6).

Player of the match: Ivan Toney.

Their lead would only last seven