Keith Andrews encouraged his Brentford players to relish the experience after they achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory over local rivals Chelsea, moving up to third place in the Premier League standings.
The Bees surpassed their more prominent neighbours in the league as they entered the extended international break, scoring three goals in the second half and handing Xabi Alonso his second loss as a Premier League manager.
Jaidon Anthony, Igor Thiago, and Fabio Carvalho found the back of the net for Brentford, marking the team’s unbeaten start to a top-flight season for the first time (W2 D3).
The last time Brentford had a similar record at any level was in the 2013-14 season, when they achieved promotion from League One.
Brentford has now played seven Premier League matches on Fridays, winning six and drawing one, while conceding only one goal during those matches.
Their average of 2.71 points per game on Fridays is the highest of any team that has played three or more matches on a particular day of the week in Premier League history.
Amid a festive atmosphere at Gtech Community Stadium, Andrews felt a significant result was within reach.
“It’s vital to enjoy these nights; there’s no use in pretending otherwise,” he told Sky Sports.
“There will be challenging days in football, and you must embrace the range of emotions.”
“I sensed something special leading up to tonight. I have a great trust in the team, and it’s rewarding to see it manifest.”
“There’s a sense of humility and desire in the group every day. We respect one another, but we need to keep progressing. It’s crucial to keep improving in this league.”
“We strive to challenge ourselves and maintain open communication. Let’s keep this journey going because I’m truly enjoying it.”
2.71 – Brentford have played seven Premier League games on a Friday and won six of them (D1). Their points-per-game average of 2.71 on Fridays is the best of any side to play 3+ matches on a specific day of the week in the competition’s history.
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Brentford has secured victories in three of their last four London derbies in the Premier League (D1), matching their total wins from the previous 21 matches (W3 D7 L11).
Captain Vitaly Janelt highlighted the significance of delivering a win for the fans before the break, noting that Brentford won’t play again until visiting Aston Villa on October 10.
“We recognized we needed to do something special before the break to create another memorable experience for everyone,” he shared.
“It’s the final game before a long international break, so winning three points is the best way to go into it.”
“If we couldn’t press, we aimed to defend with a low-to-mid block, forcing them around us and playing on the counter.”
“We wanted to display bravery and personality with the ball, and I think we achieved that today.”
Fan Take: This victory not only elevates Brentford in the standings but also showcases their potential to challenge the traditional powerhouses in the Premier League. For soccer fans, it’s a thrilling reminder that on any given night, an underdog can rise to the occasion, adding excitement and unpredictability to the sport.
Source: www.soccernews.com
