Thiago Double Fires Brentford Closer to Europe as Sunderland Are Beaten

Igor Thiago continued his remarkable Premier League season with a brace as Brentford strengthened their unlikely push for European qualification by defeating Sunderland 3-0.

The Brazilian striker struck twice to take his tally to 16 league goals for the campaign, making him the highest-scoring Brazilian in a single Premier League season. His haul moves him ahead of Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Martinelli and Matheus Cunha, underlining his outstanding impact in west London.

Yehor Yarmoliuk added a late third to complete a convincing victory for the Bees, while Sunderland were left to reflect on a costly missed opportunity when Enzo Le Fée squandered a penalty that could have changed the course of the contest.

Brentford began with their customary intensity and almost took the lead inside the opening minute, forcing goalkeeper Robin Roefs into action as he tipped Kevin Schade’s attempted lob over the crossbar after just 37 seconds.

Their dominance was eventually rewarded on the half-hour mark. Vitaly Janelt won possession in midfield before threading a perfectly weighted pass through the Sunderland defence, allowing Thiago to race clear, round Roefs and calmly finish into an unguarded net.

The hosts continued to press and were unlucky not to extend their advantage before the interval, with Lewis Keane-Potter’s free-kick clipping the crossbar during stoppage time. Sunderland, by contrast, offered little in attack, limited to a scuffed set-piece from Granit Xhaka and a blocked effort by Dan Ballard.

The visitors showed more urgency after the break and came close to levelling when Le Fée side-footed over from the edge of the area early in the second half.

A genuine lifeline arrived in the 57th minute when Kristoffer Ajer clattered into Brian Brobbey inside the box, gifting Sunderland a penalty. However, Le Fée’s attempt at a Panenka was poorly executed, chipped straight into the waiting arms of Caoimhin Kelleher.

The Brentford goalkeeper, renowned for his penalty-saving exploits against high-profile opponents in the past, barely had to move, standing his ground to collect the ball comfortably.

Moments later, Sunderland’s miss was punished ruthlessly. Schade struck the crossbar before Mathias Jensen recycled possession with a clever ball to the far post. Schade nodded it back across goal, where Thiago was perfectly positioned to convert and register his second — and record-breaking — strike of the night.

Any remaining resistance was ended with 17 minutes remaining when Yarmoliuk surged forward and unleashed a powerful finish to seal the result.

While Sunderland can still take encouragement from an impressive campaign that has exceeded expectations, Brentford’s form continues to fuel belief that European football could yet be within reach.