No Toney, no cry, as Bees ride their luck to start the season with win at Palace expense

Brentford (1) 2 Mbeumo 29, Wissa 76

Crystal Palace (0) 1 Pinnock og 56

They may have to start planning for their fourth season in the top flight without the man who has come to define their progress, but with battling displays like these, the Bees should feel they can cope.

Palace were the better side here, but Brentford found a way.

Ivan Toney was dropped from the matchday squad - which in August is usually a sign that a transfer is imminent - and there is every prospect of the campaign now unfolding without the England striker and his wily presence.

There are still plenty of good players around in the ranks to make this a more comfortable campaign than last term.

Palace too must feel they are moving in the right direction - even if it has to be a bitter blow for fans to see the excellent Michael Olise head off to Bayern Munich along with Fulham's Joao Palhinha.

They know there is every chance Marc Guehi may yet depart too, but for now should trust in the momentum under Oli Glasner. They were good here in large parts and deserved something from the game.

Brentford's start to the season is brutal in terms of away days. Their opening trips are to Liverpool, Man City, Spurs and Man United. They will be anxious to bed down quickly at the Gtech and accumulate some points in light of those challenges.

The Bees had looked subdued and very much second best against a front-foot Eagles early on, but in a flash everything changed. An excellent first-time ball from the ever-busy Yoane Wissa freed up Bryan Mbeumo down the right and once the Cameroonian had checked back inside past Guehi, that venomous left foot had the power and direction to arrow past Dean Henderson.

Before then, Eberechi Eze, pulling the strings, had flashed a free-kick narrowly wide and netted with a free-kick - the strike being ruled out for what was deemed a foul on the edge of the box on Nathan Collins by Will Hughes.

Tyrick Mitchell also got forward to blast a great chance off target, when he should have done better and there was a big shout for a penalty when Jean-Philippe Mateta - just back from Olympic final duty with France - tumbled after chasing a ball running towards Mark Flekken.

A tired-looking Mateta was hooked at the break and Palace brought on Odsonne Edouard to spearhead the fightback. Adam Wharton went close a couple of times before Michell's cross to the back stick was headed back into the centre by Edouard and a stretching Ethan Pinnock turned the ball into his own net.

But the Bees were to get their noses in front again when Wissa bundled home from close range after Henderson could only parry a shot on the turn from Collins. In spite of those continued promptings from Eze, the visitors headed back to South London empty handed.

Bees: (4-3-3) Flekken - Roerslev, Collins, Pinnock, Ajer - Jensen (Carvalho 83), Norgaard, Janelt (Damsgaard 74) - Mbeumo (Mee 90), Wissa (Onyeka 83), Schade (Lewis-Potter 74)

Eagles: (3-4-2-1) Henderson - Richards (Sarr 83), Andersen, Guehi - Munoz, Wharton (Lerma 74), Hughes (Doucoure 83), Mitchell - Kamada (Ayew 70), Eze, Mateta (Edouard h/t)