Ivan Toney has had a tough year.
Banned from football for eight months in May 2023 after admitting 232 breaches of the Football Association’s betting rules, the one-cap England international has had to watch from the sidelines while his Brentford side struggle along in their third Premier League season.
His suspension finally ended on January 16, meaning he would be free to compete in the Bees’ Saturday clash with Nottingham Forest.
A stunner from Danilo gave Forest a third-minute lead, but Brentford dragged themselves level all thanks to some individual magic from their charismatic striker.
Toney lined up a free kick from distance, powering his shot past a flimsy-looking wall and into the bottom right corner with USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner rooted to the spot.
The Premier League loves serving up big healthy portions of narrative and Toney was only too happy to do his bit, netting in the competition for the first time since Thomas Frank’s side beat the same opposition – then managed by Steve Cooper rather than Nuno Espirito Santo – back last April.
“Back with a BANG!” 💥
Ivan Toney scores on his return! 🔙 pic.twitter.com/QmarvV2OvK
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 20, 2024
🎯 Ivan Toney is back baby! pic.twitter.com/LElgJkganw
— FotMob (@FotMob) January 20, 2024
No way Ivan Toney got banned from football and still scored a goal before Antony 😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/5ZQVmQSLJV
— 47 (@TheFodenSZN) January 20, 2024
Ivan Toney’s first goals pre and post-ban were nearly identical
— Sean Walsh (@SeanDZWalsh) January 20, 2024
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING 🤩
What a way for Toney to make his comeback as he smashes the free-kick into the bottom corner!!!
— Jay Harris (@jaydmharris) January 20, 2024
That’s one of the worst lined up walls I’ve seen! Easy for Toney to curl ball into the corner. Matt Turner has to be culpable
— Adrian Clarke (@adrianjclarke) January 20, 2024
Ivan Toney. pic.twitter.com/OpcjS6o4PX
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 20, 2024
Ivan Toney already half way to Gabriel Jesus’ season total. This is proper disgraceful
— Super Eagle (@SVCarbaholic) January 20, 2024
It took Ivan Toney just 19 minutes to score on his Brentford return.🐝 pic.twitter.com/wI5YVCzglL
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) January 20, 2024
Toney’s scoring return came as the Bees looked to shake off a poor run of form that has seen them drop to 16th in England’s top flight, while they were also knocked out of the FA Cup after defeat in their third round replay with Wolves.
Brentford had lost seven of their last eight league games heading into Saturday’s encounter, the sole positive being a 3-1 home success over battling Luton Town.
Things don’t get too much easier for Frank’s side after Saturday’s meeting with Forest. They face a trip to Tottenham on 31 January and then take on Manchester City, Wolves and Liverpool.
With teams like Luton and Everton showing fight in the relegation battle, Brentford will need more goals from Toney during the second half of the season to steer the west Londoners away from danger – provided he isn’t snapped up during the January transfer window.
