Soccer
Keith Andrews hailed “complete centre-forward” Igor Thiago after the striker made history during Brentford’s 2-2 draw with Everton.
The Bees forward netted twice at the Gtech Community Stadium, taking his tally for the Premier League season to 21 goals.
Thiago became the first Brazilian to score 20 or more during a single season in the competition, while his tally is also the most by a Brentford player in a campaign.
Having also scored a hat-trick in the reverse fixture at Hill Dickinson Stadium, the 24-year-old is the first player to find the net five or more times against Everton during a single Premier League season.
These were the latest achievements during a memorable campaign for Thiago, whose form saw him make his senior debut for Brazil during the recent international break, scoring in their 3-1 victory over Croatia.
“He’s in an amazing place with how he’s playing,” Andrews said. “There’s a confidence and rhythm to his game.
“To play for his national team was his dream. We always have full confidence in him. He’s always involved. He gives a platform for us to play off. He’s amazing in both boxes.
“The work-rate off the ball. He’s on that upward trajectory – all the things that make a complete centre-forward.”
Brentford remain in seventh place, but missed the chance to climb to sixth after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s stoppage-time equaliser condemned them to a fourth straight draw.
“We wanted to attack the game and try to win,” Andrews added. “That’s the nature of every game. When you’re winning going into injury time, you feel like you’re in a good position.
“We worked hard to get into that position. We played well in the second half until we scored. The equaliser was disappointing for us.”
21 Igor Thiago
20 Ivan Toney/Bryan MbeumoPoint to our top scorer in a @premierleague seasonpic.twitter.com/5AYFiQeeFM
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) April 11, 2026
The Bees are level on points with Everton, though the Toffees are a place behind in eighth due to an inferior goal difference.
Jordan Pickford, who conceded an early penalty, saluted his team-mates’ resilience as they twice came from behind, ensuring their European ambitions remain firmly in sight.
“We’re disappointed. I don’t think we were good enough for the first 20 minutes of both halves,” the England goalkeeper said.
“We showed resilience and came up with a great finish at the end. We wanted three points today, but we’ll take a point in injury time. We dug in, we got a result, and we showed character.
“The manager’s aim in pre-season was to get Everton back into Europe. That’s still the aim. We’ve got six big games to go, and we’ll take each one as it comes. Hopefully, we can get the Toffees on a European tour.”
“It was a bit of a rollercoaster game,” Dewsbury-Hall added. “We knew it would be a tough game. They have strengths that they play to well.
“Maybe, a draw is a fair result. The fact we came from behind twice shows the mentality of the lads – we never give up, ever.
“Cliche as it is: if you don’t win, try not to lose, and we did that. That could be a massive point at the end of the season.”
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