Brentford emerged victorious with a 3-2 scoreline against Nottingham Forest, with Ivan Toney finding the back of the net upon his return from suspension, while Neal Maupay sealed the win for the Bees.

Ivan Toney made a triumphant return from his eight-month betting ban, leading Brentford to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Gtech Community Stadium. The spotlight was firmly on Toney as he captained the team after his long absence, and he did not disappoint.

It was Nottingham Forest who struck first, with Danilo volleying a sensational 25-yard shot into the corner just three minutes into the game. Brentford needed some inspiration, and it was Toney who provided it with a low 20-yard free kick on 19 minutes, leveling the score.

Ben Mee then put Brentford in front with a header from a left-wing corner just shy of the hour mark. However, Chris Wood equalized for Forest seven minutes later with a fine header, making it six goals in his last six matches.

But Brentford continued to pose a greater threat, and Neal Maupay restored their lead with a wonderful swivel and low finish 22 minutes from time. The victory sees Brentford climb above Nottingham Forest into 14th place, while Forest drop to 16th.

Toney’s return was highly anticipated, and he certainly delivered. His goal came at a crucial moment when Forest were dominating the game, and his overall presence gave Brentford the lift they needed. With Toney in top form, Brentford can now look forward to a tough run of fixtures with confidence.

Interestingly, England assistant boss Steve Holland was in the stands to watch the match, and if Toney continues to perform well, a place back in the England squad ahead of Euro 2024 could be on the cards.

Player of the match was undoubtedly Ivan Toney, whose contribution to Brentford’s first league win since December 2 cannot be underestimated. His goal and overall presence gave the team the boost they needed.

In terms of player ratings, Toney received an impressive 8 out of 10, while other notable performers included Ben Mee and Danilo for Brentford, and Chris Wood for Nottingham Forest.

The match highlights included Danilo’s early goal for Forest, Toney’s equalizer from a free kick, Mee’s header to put Brentford in front, Wood’s equalizer for Forest, and Maupay’s stunning finish to secure the victory for Brentford.

Overall, it was a thrilling match that showcased Toney’s return to form and gave Brentford a much-needed win.