The case for Thiago to win player of the yearpublished at 13:59 BST 2 April
13:59 BST 2 April
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Who will win the Premier League player of the season?
That won't be announced until towards the end of May but we already have a pretty good idea of the contenders, based on players' performances so far this campaign.
Arsenal are leading the way in the title race and should they win, the likes of defender Gabriel and midfelder Declan Rice will surely be in contention but more unexpected stars like Igor Thiago and Antoine Semenyo will likely be in the mix.
The striker's 19 goals have lifted Brentford to the brink of European football for the first time in their history, having been pre-season favourites for relegation.
He has scored the most goals by a Brazilian in a single Premier League season and became the fastest Brentford player to reach 10 top-flight goals.
He is one short of their overall Premier League record of 20 in a season, scored by Bryan Mbeumo (2024-25) and Ivan Toney (2022-23).
It comes after last season was wrecked by injury following a £30m move from Club Brugge in 2024. A knee injury in pre-season ruined his chance of an early impact and then a joint infection kept him out until the final few games.
He made just eight appearances, failing to score, so to return at the level he has this season - and earn a maiden Brazil call-up - is a testament to his quality and self-belief.
Fans have their say on who could be surprise team in Champions League race...published at 19:42 BST 1 April
19:42 BST 1 April
Image source, Getty Images
With fifth position looking set to be a Champions League spot for a second consecutive season, the form of Chelsea and Liverpool has left the door open for another team to possibly pip them to that place.
Brentford, Everton, Fulham and Brighton might not have expected to be fighting for a place in Europe's top club cup competition at the beginning of the campaign, but with all four within six points of fifth place it could yet become a reality.
At the time of writing, supporters think the eight-placed Toffees are most likely to reach that spot, with the current poll standings looking like this:
And it was superb to see Igor Thiago achieve his dream of a Brazil cap when he came on during the second half of their friendly defeat by France.
Even though Henderson has, of course, played for England for years, it still makes you proud as a Brentford supporter to enjoy moments like this.
Thiago's achievement goes against the reported wisdom of Brazil fans not rating players who don't play for the biggest clubs and it was great to see the genuine joy that his debut brought him.
It wasn't all happiness for Bees players, however, with Caoimhin Kelleher and Nathan Collins, with Republic of Ireland, and Yehor Yarmoliuk, with Ukraine, all having their World Cup finals qualifying hopes ended in the play-off semi-finals.
However, Denmark's Mikkel Damsgaard and Mathias Jensen, and Jamaica's Ethan Pinnock, still have a chance of joining the likes of Henderson, Thiago, Scotland's Aaron Hickey and Norway's Kristoffer Ajer in the finals - fitness permitting.
Although it's nice to have a break as a fan sometimes, it would have been good for the Premier League to return over the Easter weekend.
Our FA Cup exit means it's nearly another fortnight until our next game - against Everton.
At least those players who have been away on international duty will get a break afterwards, but three weeks is a long gap at such a vital stage of the campaign.
Hopefully some of the injuries in the camp will clear up and the non-internationals can have a rest to set us up for what could be an exciting finale to the season.
A win before the international break has given Villa just a little more breathing room in fourth, while defeats for Arne Slot's Reds and Liam Rosenior's Blues have left both clubs struggling to cement their place in Europe's premier club competition next season.
Their respective difficulties have given other teams, who at the start of the season could only have dreamed of the chance to secure Champions League football for next campaign, an opportunity to do just that.
With it all but certain that the Premier League will get an extra Champions League place for the second consecutive season, fifth is set to be enough to secure that ticket.
Brentford and Everton are just three points off that coveted spot, while Fulham are five points away and Brighton six.
Reaching form at the right time could be crucial, and if we take a look at the points-per-game record of those four chasing teams from their past seven results, it could give us an idea as to who has the best chance of toppling the traditional 'big six' teams for that final place.
If Brentford's PPG continues into the final seven games, it would take them to 56 points, while Everton's PPG of 1.7 would take them to 58 and just ahead of the Bees.
Fulham, meanwhile, have a form of 1.4 PPG that would take them to 54 points and not quite enough to overtake the two above, and in-form Brighton with 1.7 could get them to 55 points but that too would not take them past Brentford and Everton.
With so much left to play for and the pressure on the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool - who still have play each other - to reach their Champions League target, it could leave an opening for someone else to go on the ultimate European adventure.
Of the four sides eyeing an unexpected Champions League opportunity, who do you think has the best chance of sneaking into that fifth spot?
No VAR error but Brentford denied penalty v Wolves - panelpublished at 13:52 GMT 26 March
13:52 GMT 26 March
Dale Johnson Football issues correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
The Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has ruled that Brentford should have been awarded a penalty in their 2-2 home draw with Wolves on 16 March.
But it was also decided that the VAR was correct not to intervene as there was no clear and obvious error.
The Bees were 2-0 up in the 41st minute when Kevin Schade was held back by Andre.
Referee Stuart Attwell allowed play to continue and there was no monitor review advised by the VAR, Paul Howard.
Wolves came back strongly in the second half to score twice and earn a point at the Gtech.
The KMI Panel said that the holding was "sustained" and voted 4:1 in favour of a penalty.
It was a split 3:2 vote in support of no VAR intervention.
Why international break has come at a good time for Brentfordpublished at 07:04 GMT 24 March
07:04 GMT 24 March
Ian Westbrook Fan writer
Image source, PA Media
If anyone is in need of an international break, it is definitely a tired-looking Brentford.
With injuries hitting us severely for the first time this season, the players will be able to have some well-earned time off.
Even those going away on international duty will have a bit of a break when they return as, like most Premier League clubs, we are not playing again for nearly three weeks.
The number of players currently out of action has led to more and more youngsters on the bench. At Leeds on Saturday, we had five teenagers, a 21-year-old and only three experienced players making up our replacements.
As a result, Keith Andrews only made one substitution and it is a huge credit to the 10 men who played the entire match that we picked up a well-deserved point.
It was a result I would have taken before kick-off, but it would have felt like an even better point had we beaten Wolves earlier in the week.
The draw was largely down to an excellent display by the defence, which coped with everything Leeds threw at it.
Ethan Pinnock has lost his regular place after many years and made only his fourth Premier League start of the season - but produced a great display.
The centre-half is Brentford's third longest-serving player and I was delighted to see that the timing of his tackles is still superb and he is still powerful in the air.
Pinnock, with Jamaica, Republic of Ireland duo Caoimhin Kelleher and Nathan Collins, plus Denmark's Mathias Jensen and Mikkel Damsgaard, if fit, can park dreams of a possible 'European tour' with the Bees for now as they try to get their respective countries into this summer's World Cup.
It is going to be an interesting fortnight for Brentford fans watching their fortunes - especially as the Republic of Ireland could play Denmark for one finals place.
Paul: Leeds played as if they are frightened of losing rather than trying to win. They looked a different side after the late changes. Be brave!
Andrew: A good point against a team in form competing for a top-six place. However, being draw specialists might not be enough. We need to find our mojo again. We aren't playing with the dynamic we are capable of and not creating enough chances as a result.
Chris: Good point in the end - they are a good side pushing for a European place and have good players. The teams cancelled each other out on the day. Poor game for both set of fans.
David: A hard-fought point against a well-organised and dangerous top-eight side. Going into the international break outside the bottom three is good and takes the pressure off. Hopefully in the final run-in we will see more of Daniel James, Wilfried Gnonto and Noah Okafor, especially in the home games, to create more goals and keep us in the Premier League.
Brentford fans
Zachary: Felt we set up for a draw. While fans don't want to see that, it is probably a good point considering how thin our squad is right now, particularly at right-back and in midfield. I do also think fatigue is getting to the players, with Ethan Pinnock and Keane Lewis-Potter cramping up near the end. That's concerning with a very limited selection of first-team players on the bench. Can't fault the lads for effort, though.
Jane: It wasn't a great watch. A missed opportunity? Yes, but at this stage of the season it's tough for teams with fewer resources as the injuries hit, and the bench features very few players who can change a game. It's going to be tough for the Bees to stay in seventh.
Gavin: A masterclass in defending against a decent opposition who were trying hard to win the game. With the additional injuries to Mikkel Damsgaard and Kristoffer Ajer, I wasn't surprised by the shape, and great to see Pinnock not putting a foot wrong. It's definitely a point gained, in previous seasons with the injury woes they would have lost this game. With the remaining away games against Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool on the last day, three defeats is not unlikely. However, who knows with this team under Keith Andrews.
Ian: A well-deserved point. The closing down of space by the Brentford team was immense. Time for a recharge of the 'league' batteries for the final seven games.
'A mammoth effort to stay where we are''published at 11:30 GMT 22 March
11:30 GMT 22 March
Image source, Getty Images
The fight for Champions League football appears to be turning into the race that no-one wants to win.
For the second year in a row, it is all but certain that the top five teams in the Premier League will qualify for next season's Champions League.
But shock defeats and inconsistency means the form of the so-called top sides is falling off a cliff.
Defeats for Liverpool and Chelsea have opened the door for a team to come out of left-field and clinch a coveted Champions League place.
Could it be Everton? Brentford? Even Fulham, 10th-placed Brighton and teams below remain in touch.
Before Monday's draw with Wolves, Brentford played a video on screens around Gtech Community Stadium showing pre-season predictions from pundits, including Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, who said the Bees would be involved in a relegation battle after losing Thomas Frank to Tottenham.
The video ended by playing lyrics from Stormzy's song Shut Up, with those two words displayed in giant letters across the screen.
Under Keith Andrews Brentford have largely done their talking on the pitch. Rather than looking over their shoulders in the relegation battle, they have written their name into the conversation for European qualification - something never done in the club's history.
The Bees could not capitalise on teams above them dropping points on Saturday, the goalless draw a missed opportunity to go level on points with Chelsea and edge closer to securing not only a spot in Europe, but a push for the Champions League places.
"It's tight," Andrews said after the game. "The league is pretty condensed in that part. Seven to go.
"We have done unbelievably well to get where we are in the league. We deserve to be where we are and it'll take a mammoth effort to stay there.
"Everything we can give, we will give, like they do all the time. The intentions are always good from our players. They are always positive, embrace the occasion and challenge and I would expect it'll lift them for the last seven games."
Watch Premier League highlights and analysispublished at 10:16 GMT 22 March
10:16 GMT 22 March
Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.
Leeds 0-0 Brentford: What Andrews saidpublished at 22:51 GMT 21 March
22:51 GMT 21 March
Media caption,
Brentford boss Keith Andrews, speaking to BBC Match of the Day after their goalless draw with Leeds: "A good point. We were tested this week with a disruptive week and a couple of knocks in training.
"You come into a place where they are pitching this as a massive game in their quest to do what they need to do. We have our own quest and all I was feeling as I was watching was immense pride of what the players do consistently and take every challenge on in the right manner. I really enjoyed us tonight.
"We have done unbelievably well to get where we are in the league. We deserve to be where we are and it'll take a mammoth effort to stay there.
"We approached the game really well. First half we were excellent and controlled large parts of it and really frustrated them. Second half we knew there'd be a response and had a young bench, so it was always going to be the challenge of players sticking with it.
"Everything we can give, we will give, like they do all the time. The intentions are always good from our players. They are always positive, embrace the occasion and challenge and I would expect it'll lift them for the last seven games."
Did you know?
This was Brentford's 14th goalless draw in the Premier League, with only Crystal Palace (19) playing out more 0-0 draws since the Bees' debut campaign in the competition in 2021-22.
Having lost seven of their first eight away Premier League games this season (W1), the Bees have since lost just one of their last eight matches on the road (W5 D2).
Brentford analysis: Bees running out of sting?published at 22:32 GMT 21 March
22:32 GMT 21 March
Ben Ramsdale BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Brentford had the opportunity to move level on points with Chelsea and just one behind Liverpool in fifth with a win at Elland Road but you would not have thought that carrot was dangling above them in what was a lacklustre performance.
The Bees had just two shots won target, mustering up an expected goals tally of 0.46.
It was the third consecutive draw in the Premier League for Keith Andrews side, who appear to have lost that cutting-edge that has seen them defy the odds many times this season.
Perhaps it is just a case of them running out of steam in what has been a season of exceeding expectation to date.
Either way, it appears the international break has come at the right time for Brentford, who still have the opportunity to challenge for a spot in Europe.
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Fulham v Burnley" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Everton v Chelsea".
Sutton's predictions: Leeds United v Brentfordpublished at 11:25 GMT 21 March
11:25 GMT 21 March
The way Brentford will set up is almost tailor-made to face Leeds, really, to hit them on the counter-attack.
Keith Andrews's side are pushing for Europe and they will be annoyed they let a 2-0 lead slip in their 2-2 draw with Wolves on Monday.
There could be some nervy moments for the home fans when the Bees break forward, but I am still going to back Leeds to get the job done at Elland Road.
Leeds United v Brentford: key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:03 GMT 20 March
19:03 GMT 20 March
Chris Adams BBC Sport journalist
Leeds United's incredible home record under the lights at Elland Road may have come to an end last month but they'll be looking to start afresh with the visit of European hopefuls Brentford on Saturday night (20:00 GMT).
Prior to the 1-0 defeat against Manchester City on 28 February, the Whites had gone 25 home games unbeaten in matches that kicked off at 17:00 or later.
A five-match winless streak in the league has left them 15th in the table, a mere three points above the drop zone with eight games to go.
Whites drawing blanks
They've failed to score in their last three, a record compounded by top scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin missing a penalty against Crystal Palace last week. He's without a goal in his last five in all competitions.
The striker has earned an England recall for his overall form this season, but Leeds are really suffering now that his December hot streak – which included the equaliser in a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture at the Gtech Community Stadium – has tailed off.
Per 90 minutes, he performed better in almost every attacking metric before the turn of the year.
The last player to find the net in the league for Daniel Farke's side was the manager's compatriot, Anton Stach, who has similarly been rewarded for his displays this season with a first Germany call-up in four years.
Stach has three league assists to his name and no player in the division has created more chances from set-plays this season than the Leeds midfielder (27, level with Bruno Fernandes).
League positions aside, recent history suggests Leeds have cause for optimism going into this one. They've lost just one of their last 16 home league games against Brentford, winning seven and drawing eight, and are unbeaten in seven since a 1-0 loss in February 2015.
Keith keeping calm
Seventh-placed Brentford's solid showings since the start of February – just one defeat in seven league games – have kept them firmly in the hunt for a maiden European adventure.
A significant turnaround in their away form has helped that cause massively. Keith Andrews' side lost seven of their first eight away Premier League games this season, tasting victory just once, but have now won five of their last seven on the road.
Reflecting on throwing away a two-goal lead against Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out, Andrews said: "I think it's really simple. If we produce a second-half performance again, we will struggle. If we produce first-half performances of that level, then we will have a good end to the season."
One of his goalscorers against Wolves, Igor Thiago, is enjoying the best league campaign of his career, netting 19 Premier League goals to date. He could become just the third Bees player to score 20 in a top-flight season, along with Ivan Toney in 2022-23 and Bryan Mbeumo in 2024-25.
The centre-forward's brilliant return has landed him a first call-up to the Brazil national team, while Jordan Henderson – who scored Brentford's goal in December's draw between the two clubs – retains his spot in Thomas Tuchel's England squad.
Four of the last six league games between these sides have ended in draws, with one win apiece, but those Bees fans making the trip from west London to West Yorkshire will do so in a positive frame of mind.
Brentford have lost just one of their last 13 league games against newly promoted opponents, winning 11 and drawing the other.
Andrews on Damsgaard's injury, Thiago's Brazil call-up and Leedspublished at 14:14 GMT 20 March
14:14 GMT 20 March
Brentford boss Keith Andrews has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Leeds United at Elland Road (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On team news: "Mikkel Damsgaard was on the grass, which is positive. We will give him every chance to play this weekend."
Full-backs Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey remain unavailable with hamstring injuries, while Vitaly Janelt (metatarsal) and Josh Dasilva (knee ligament) are also out.
Andrews said that Igor Thiago's Brazil call-up is a "proud moment" for Brentford as a club.
Asked if striker Thiago, who is three goals behind Erling Haaland for the league's top scorer, could win the Golden Boot, he added: "He needs to keep striving and pushing hard. We will support him like we always have and hopefully he will keep scoring."
On proving people wrong this season: "We have spoken a lot about the journey we have been on, which has been pleasing. It gives us a lot of pride for what we stand for."
He added his side are on a "really good run" and have a "quiet, calm confidence" about how they approach the game against Leeds.
Tuchel names England squad for March friendliespublished at 10:41 GMT 20 March
10:41 GMT 20 March
England manager Thomas Tuchel has named his 35-man squad for the two friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March.
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion).
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan).
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur).
There are 13 players involved who weren't in the last squad back in November, while there's a first senior call-up for Everton midfielder James Garner and Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele.
Which side has suffered most from Premier League injuries this season?published at 11:59 GMT 19 March
11:59 GMT 19 March
Image source, Getty Images
We are getting to the stage of the season where every Premier League team is managing injuries in their squad as the sheer volume and intensity of games begins to take its toll.
But who has been most affected by injuries across the campaign so far?
Ben Dinnery, from Premier Injuries Limited, has provided the data below, showing the number of domestic injuries each top-flight team has suffered, defined by a player missing at least one Premier League game.
The data has been taken from the opening weekend up to and including 18 March.
Despite this table listing domestic injuries, it is unsurprising that the top three of Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa have all competed in European competition, with the Gunners still fighting on four fronts and the Blues also coming off the back of a much-shortened pre-season following their Club World Cup victory.
Perhaps more surprisingly, however, is the fact Arsenal's 31 domestic injuries so far comfortably leads the way, illustrating the strength and depth available to Mikel Arteta to still have his side nine points clear at the top of the table.
The graphic below shows Tottenham lead the way for days missed by injured players, illustrating the issues faced by Thomas Frank, who had to cope with long-term absentees including Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.
Both West Ham and Brentford are in the bottom three for domestic injuries and days missed through those injuries, while Arsenal and Villa are in the top three for both.
Chelsea drop down the table when looking at days missed, showing they have predominately suffered from short absences spread throughout the squad.
It is worth pointing out that Newcastle's two longest absences this season - Emil Krafth (120 days) and Yoane Wissa (88 days), who had not yet even trained with his new side, resulted from injuries picked up on international duty and are not factored into the figures.
'Thiago club form impossible to ignore'published at 15:41 GMT 17 March
15:41 GMT 17 March
Ian Westbrook Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Igor Thiago's first call-up to the Brazil national squad on Monday is a deserved reward for his goals and hard work this season.
Us Brentford fans have been willing him to be picked but fearing he would miss out after suggestions that Brazil fans don't want players from unfashionable clubs - such as Brentford - in the national squad.
However, Thiago's 19 Premier League goals this season, including one on Monday in the disappointing 2-2 draw with Wolves, have made it impossible for head coach Carlo Ancelotti to ignore him.
After missing virtually all of last season through injury, Thiago has more than made up for that this term.
Second only to Erling Haaland for Premier League goals so far this season, Thiago has proved a real handful for defenders up and down the country.
He scores different types of goals too. Monday's was a tap-in - a typical striker's finish, being in the right place at the right time.
But he has also proved himself adept at running on to through balls and finishing strongly too.
His work-rate is impressive so that even if he is not scoring, he is contributing and bringing team-mates into play.
Thiago also helps out defensively and always puts in a huge shift.
However, despite the efforts of him and his team-mates on Monday, we saw another two vital points in the race for our potential "European tour" slip away.
With other results going for us over the weekend, this match was a real chance to close the gap on the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool. Still can't believe I'm writing that by the way!
But our recent run of indifferent performances continued as Wolves had the better of the second half and could have won it.
We could still qualify for Europe, but our four remaining away games make this seem like a tall order to me.
Brentford 2-2 Wolves - the fans' verdictpublished at 13:16 GMT 17 March
13:16 GMT 17 March
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We asked for your thoughts after Monday's Premier League game between Brentford and Wolves.
Here are some of your comments:
Brentford fans
Les: Did not learn anything from the Burnley game. Andrews too late with the subs. How can Brentford think of Europe when they are struggling to fill the subs bench?
Matt: We knew it was coming… Comfortable for much of the first half, two good goals in the bag - but letting that goal in before half time, you could just sense that Wolves were going to come out with more belief and we did not adjust accordingly. Love Keith, but not sure the subs were right today. On the plus-side, great to see Kayode get his first Brentford goal. Well played to Wolves though, showing real fighting spirit in the face of impending doom.
George: The engine's fallen out of our season at this point - we need the international break to put ourselves back together. We can't seem to play two good halves at the moment, and the second half of this one had shades of our hairy 3-4 win at Burnley but without a now injured Damsgaard to save our hides.
Zachary: We are really missing Janelt. It is clear that Henderson is not up to pace, and his balls over the top are becoming far too predictable. Our midfield was pretty much not existent at times and that was massively exposed during Wolves first goal, and their player was allowed to walk the length of the pitch. Need that midfield anchor. Poor changes from Keith Andrews too, bringing on Yarmo for Schade and Ajer for Damsgaard - pretty much going to a back five and inviting Wolves to score. We go again on Saturday. UP THE BEES.
Wolves fans
Stanley: Great second half when Angel Gomes came on in place of Mane, the lad is not playing well right now with too many mistakes - but he will learn from that. Our first half was not that good and we allowed two goals by not doing basic defensive work. We got lucky with Armstrong's goal because that was a back pass, but we take any luck we get. Tolu looked strong and determined to do the job coming on as sub and his header got us the point. He could have got us three if the cross bar was not in the way! We can't stay up but we can give a fight of it .
Wol: Good performance after a terrible 35 minutes at the start. We showed a great spirit second half and the atmosphere was terrific throughout from the fans. Well worth the long day to see us tonight.
Rhys: We did fantastically to get back into the game - just a shame that we didn't go on and win it.
Dan: It was a good game of football. The referee got a bit trigger-happy awarding free kicks towards the end, which stopped the flow of the game and maybe dented either side's chances. But overall we'd happily take the point from 2-0 down. Keep fighting lads.
Image source, Getty Images
