Ivan Toney is making a case for England’s World Cup squad
(Picture: Getty Images)Thomas Frank backed Ivan Toney to make a late run into the England squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after the Brentford striker hit a hat-trick in a 5-2 win over Leeds.
The 26-year-old scored his 18th penalty from as many attempts to open the scoring at the Gtech Community Stadium, taking his tally up to 50 for the club in 96 appearances.
The striker was not going to settle for a half century, though, and he curled in a sublime free-kick for Brentford’s second.
Luis Sinisterra pulled one back for Leeds before half-time but Toney restored the two-goal cushion with a cute chip after Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier came charging out of his goal.
"It’s a nightmare to play against him," said Bees boss Thomas Frank.
"Also I have said many times he is the best penalty taker in the world, and hopefully I wont get bored saying it.
"The free-kick? Wow! I said to him if you want to take them you have to practice. It was a classic Ivan goal, fantastic technique.
"Then last one is just ridiculous, to dink it over the keeper and pull that finish out of the hat. Yeah, good."
Toney’s form this season must surely have given England boss Gareth Southgate food for thought ahead of this month’s Nations League fixtures.
"Off the top of my head, looking at strikers on form, Harry Kane is number one but there is not a better striker after Kane on form," added Frank.
"I don’t see a better one. Plus England have been in a few penalty shootouts and if they want to win one they need to pick Ivan."
In a breathless finale Bryan Mbeumo added the fourth and Marc Roca pulled another back before Yoane Wissa wrapped up a deserved win for the hosts.
