Bryan Mbeumo has never missed a Premier League penalty, though his ninth for Brentford here may require an asterisk placed next to it for the assist provided by VAR Darren England.

It was a spot-kick, no question, Maxence Lacroix giving Nathan Collins a good kicking to the shin. Mbeumo stepped up, struck the post, and Marc Guehi produced the clearance.

But it was while Crystal Palace were celebrating that England noticed Guehi encroaching into the ‘D’ of the box in the replays. Ordered to be retaken, Mbeumo scored at the second bite. Rules are rules, though that did not stop Palace’s supporters from letting us know their thoughts on VAR.

Only three Premier League players have scored more penalties without missing one in history – Raul Jimenez on 10, Yaya Toure on 11 and Cole Palmer on 12. Mbeumo is closing in on those above him, even if he did need a little help with his ninth here.

‘Yes,’ Brentford boss Thomas Frank said when asked if Mbeumo is the best penalty taker among England’s elite. ‘We had one before him (Ivan Toney), and now we have the second one.’

Brentford returned to winning ways once again with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace

Bryan Mbeumo’s first penalty hit the post but VAR  spotted encroachment in the box

Mbeumo converted from the spot at the second time of asking to open the scoring

Brentford went on to double their advantage through Kevin Schade. Romain Esse, Palace’s new £14.5million signing from Millwall, made it 2-1 on his Premier League debut, but that strike was only a consolation for Oliver Glasner.

‘VAR was right, Marc was a yard inside,’ Glasner said. ‘What makes it tough for us is Mbeumo hits the post, the ball comes straight back to him, so if he touches the ball, it’s a free-kick for us. If anything, Marc was too alert to get to the ball before Mbeumo by a few inches. It’s frustrating.’

Eberechi Eze was involved in everything for Palace and in the seventh minute, he flicked on a pass from Will Hughes to set up Jean-Philippe Mateta. Seven of Eze’s last eight Premier League assists had been for Mateta, but this blast was directed straight at Mark Flekken.

Brentford’s first chance came after 22 minutes as Wissa, with back to goal, turned and took aim. Only the fingertips of Dean Henderson stopped it from finding the far corner, and Palace’s goalkeeper was glad to see Mbeumo’s 25-yard free-kick then curl wide.

In the 56th minute, down went Eze and up went the yellow card for Vitaly Janelt as Palace won a wide 25-yard free-kick. Eze took it, a deflection from Sepp Van Den Berg in the wall sending it crashing into the post.

It was in the 61st minute when Brentford won their penalty after Lacroix brought down Collins. Mbeumo fired his first attempt into the post on his left and Palace cleared via Guehi.

When the retake arrived, Mbeumo went to his right for the opener. Brentford scored again in the 80th minute, a cross from Mikkel Damsgaard being headed home by Schade. Esse tapped in to complete the scoreline.

Eberechi Eze was involved in everything for Palace and in the seventh minute, he flicked on a pass from Will Hughes to set up Jean-Philippe Mateta. 

Brentford went on to double their advantage through Kevin Schade header after 80 minutes

 Crystal Palace new boy Romain Esse halved the deficit on his debut for the Eagles

 Seven of Eze’s last eight Premier League assists had been for Mateta, so Palace’s fans rose to their feet in anticipation. The striker tried to the blast the ball beyond Mark Flekken, but Brentford’s goalkeeper beat it away.

Brentford’s first chance came after 22 minutes as Wissa, with back to goal, turned and took aim. Only the fingertips of Dean Henderson stopped it from finding the far corner.

When Mads Roerslev was then fouled by Lacroix 25 yards from goal, Mbeumo stood over the ball for Brentford. He curled it narrowly wide, much to Henderson’s relief.

In the 56th minute, down went Eze and up went the yellow card for Vitaly Janelt as Palace won a wide 25-yard free-kick. Eze took it, a deflection from Sepp Van Den Berg in the wall sending it crashing into the post.

It was in the 61st minute when Brentford won their penalty. It started with Guehi’s clearance being blocked by the arms of Hughes. Referee Tony Harrington gave nothing for that. But he did call the foul when Lacroix then whacked Collins without winning the ball.

Mbeumo stepped up, struck the post to his left, and Palace cleared via Guehi. But Harrington paused play as VAR England checked for an encroachment. 

Brentford were allowed a retake and there was no mistake this time, as Mbeumo went to his right and scored.