Ivan Toney boosted his World Cup chances with a stunning goal during Brentford ’s Premier League win over Brighton.
The Bees striker has now notched three goals in two games - and his deft flick midway through the first half will give England boss Gareth Southgate plenty of food for thought ahead of his squad announcement on Thursday.
Toney, who added a second from the penalty spot, received his first call-up for the UEFA Nations League games against Germany and Italy last month, but is still waiting for his Three Lions debut. However, he moved a step closer to getting a seat on the plane to Qatar with his seventh and eighth goals of the season following on from another ice-cool penalty against Newcastle last weekend.
Sky Sports commentator Jamie Carragher said: "That is absolutely fantastic from Toney. This guy isn't just a target man, he's a class act, he really is. That's why he's in the England squad right now and that's why, if he keeps doing things like that, he'll be going to Qatar."
Toney didn’t make the bench for England’s 1-0 defeat against Italy and was an unused sub for the six-goal thriller with Germany at Wembley.
“I understand the push as it is so close to the World Cup but there is life for Ivan Toney beyond the World Cup as well,” Southgate said last month.
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“He is very much in the frame and what he does with his club between now and then is also really important. First and foremost, it has been great for Ivan to be with us and see how we work. Everybody wants to get into the team and on to the pitch.
"But you have a better chance of doing that if you have been in the group longer and are used to how we play and feel more comfortable with the players.”
Toney's two goals proved the difference at the Gtech Community Stadium as he earned the Bees a deserved 2-0 victory. The former Peterborough frontman was on hand to expertly flick home Frank Onyeka's cross to put the home side ahead in fine fashion.
Tempers boiled over on the touchline before the break as Brentford boss Thomas Frank and his Brighton counterpart Roberto De Zerbi were booked for a scuffle.
Toney doubled their lead from the spot just after the hour mark after Joel Veltman brought him down in the box. He stepped up to maintain his 100 per cent record from 12 yards for Brentford when he sent Robert Sanchez the wrong way.
The striker will take the plaudits, and deservedly so, but Bees keeper David Raya was also in superb form for the hosts. The Spanish shot-stopper made a string of fine saves to ensure he heads home with a clean sheet. It is Toney, though, who everyone will be talking about.
