Damsgaard’s elfin elusiveness weaves magic to extend Brentford’s stunning home run

Brentford (0) 3 v Burnley (0) 1

Igor Thiago (pen) 81

Flemming (pen) 85

Igor Thiago 86

Ouattara 92

By Kaz Mochlinski at the Brentford Community Stadium

Premier League

Matchweek 13

Brentford added another home victory, with another Igor Thiago double, including another penalty, plus another stoppage time goal, as a very late, late show in the end ensured that Burnley were beaten 3-1.

The Bees have now won five of the seven Premier League matches which they have played on their own pitch this season. In all, they have collected 16 of their 19 points at home, where their fine form has been crucial in climbing into the top half of the table.

Igor Thiago has contributed immensely to their successful sequence, scoring twice for the third time, all at home, against Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Burnley, on each occasion making the difference in winning the game.

The Brazilian striker has 11 goals in 13 league matches so far, and 12 goals in 14 appearances in all competitions. His penalty this time was the fifth one that he has put away out of the six which he has taken this season.

It needed an Igor Thiago spot-kick to break the deadlock that had persisted until nine minutes from full-time. Remarkably, all four goals were scored in a 12-minute spell right at the end of the encounter, going from goalless to Brentford’s 3-1 success.

The result was a reward for the Bees’ spirit, determination and physical conditioning, as they never stopped believing that they would make the breakthrough, and eventually overcame Burnley’s defensive approach aimed at nullifying their efforts.

The initial Brentford threat had come inside the opening 30 seconds, with Michael Kayode’s first long throw, but, despite creating multiple clear chances to score, far too many times the home side were guilty of missing the target.

Mikkel Damsgaard’s low shot after 10 minutes was the only time in the first half that the Bees produced a save from the Burnley goalkeeper, Martin Dúbravka - and it was hit straight at him, without being in any way really testing.

Ironically, considering the visitors’ focus on frustrating their opponents, it was the Clarets who came closest to taking the lead before half-time, twice requiring Caoimhín Kelleher to make excellent saves in order to keep his team from conceding.

The Burnley captain, Josh Cullen, floated a free-kick into the penalty area for Axel Tuanzebe, whose initial header hit Lyle Foster’s back, rebounding for a clear shot on goal, but Kelleher reacted rapidly to come off his line and block it at close range.

Brentford’s Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper had to intervene again after Quilindschy Hartman played a pass in from the left for Zian Flemming to first-time left-footed hit a rising shot bringing a brilliant flying save from Kelleher.

Burnley had made a mean-spirited move, only occasionally employed by away clubs, in forcing the hosts to start towards the end they usually prefer to attack in the second half, but the Bees just got better with the West Stand behind them after the interval.

Within five minutes of the restart they had the ball in the net, only for it to be disallowed as Dango Ouattara was offside when Damsgaard played a fine threaded pass through to him for a shot that was saved, with the rebound put away by Igor Thiago.

Damsgaard continued to be the instigator of almost all of Brentford’s best moments, and, with 13 minutes to go, his creativity was key in producing a penalty through a near-copy of the link-up for the ruled-out goal.

From a deft touch by Mathias Jensen, his fellow Dane again carved open the Burnley back line, and on this occasion Ouattara timed his run far better, only being stopped by Tuanzebe trying to tackle him from behind.

The Congolese defender may have been lucky to have only been shown a yellow card and not a red by the referee, Samuel Barrott, as it seemed to be a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The subsequent VAR checks inevitably lasted interminably long.

Igor Thiago has been incredibly unfortunate in being made to wait before taking penalties in recent weeks, against Newcastle and at Brighton & Hove Albion before again experiencing an an extended delay facing Burnley.

However, happily it did not unduly put him off, as he successfully repeated exactly the same approach that he used both times in scoring and then having one saved in the Brighton defeat, with a stutter in the run-up and a right-footed strike low to his left.

Brentford’s relief at getting a goal against a side which often had all 11 players behind the ball was substantial - and short-lived. They were in the lead for just four minutes before Burnley levelled with a spot-kick of their own.

Kayode had the misfortune to be making a clearance when Jaidon Anthony came in to dispossess him, so he not only failed to connect with the ball but also caught and brought down the Clarets’ substitute.

Flemming dispatched the penalty as emphatically as Igor Thiago had done, scoring for the fourth time in five Premier League games. But his Brentford opposite number responded immediately to edge the Bees ahead again barely a minute later.

Showing a remarkable resilience and resolve, the red-and-white striped shirts drove forward once more, with Jordan Henderson whipping over a cross from inside-right, which Rico Henry and Kyle Walker dived for at the far post.

The Brentford substitute may have been fouled by his fellow full-back but it became immaterial as the ball fell for Igor Thiago to fire a first-time left-footed shot high into the net. It was his ninth goal in eight league matches from late September.

Tuanzebe followed up giving away the penalty by deflecting the ball past his goalkeeper to provide some help for both of Igor Thiago’s goals on this Saturday afternoon, but it was his fellow Burnley centre-back who was beaten for the final score.

Maxime Estève was rounded by Ouattara and left spread-eagled on the ground to watch helplessly as the ex-Bournemouth winger calmly finished with his left foot from a tight angle, confirming yet again what a great summer signing he has been.

Ouattara had learned from his mistake at the beginning of the half and adjusted his run really well to stay onside and take advantage of the beautiful build-up play from the outstanding Damsgaard and Henderson.

Damsgaard’s elfin elusiveness, super-skillful ball control and precise passing were an absolute joy for Brentford fans to watch, while Henderson added exceptional energy and always intelligent interventions, worthy of getting the assist for the clinching goal.

It meant that Brentford scored three goals for the third consecutive home game, repeating the 3-1 result against Newcastle last time, when they had also found the net in stoppage time, just as in the earlier win over Manchester United by the same margin.

After a 93rd minute equaliser for a 2-2 draw with Chelsea, then goals in the 95th minute when hosting Manchester United and Newcastle, now scoring in the 92nd minute to beat Burnley, the Bees are persistently proving their perseverance.

Only the Premier League’s three leading clubs, Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea, have scored more goals this season than Brentford. Only the top two have got more goals and more wins at home.

This part of West London will hope that their team can sustain the current quality, end-product and entertainment in the coming weeks and months. Especially the ever-delightful Damsgaard.

Brentford: (4-2-3-1) Kelleher - Kayode, Collins, van den Berg, Hickey (Henry 74) - Henderson, Jensen (Yarmoliuk 85) - Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade (Nelson 74) - Igor Thiago (Lewis-Potter 91)

Burnley: (4-2-3-1) Dúbravka - Walker, Tuanzebe, Estève, Hartman - Cullen (Broja 82), Florentino (Laurent 75) - Tchaouna (Bruun Larsen 75), Mejbri (Ugochukwu 60), Foster (Anthony 75) - Flemming

Attendance: 17,176