WATCH: Brentford’s Ivan Toney scores on 8-month return; Fans spot ‘evil genius’ maneuver

Ivan Toney was caught 'shifting' the ball from the original spot in the build-up to his goal.

WATCH: Brentford’s Ivan Toney scores on 8-month return; Fans spot ‘evil genius’ maneuver

Netizens are debating whether Ivan Toney's free-kick goal should have stood. (Via X/@CanoFootball)

Brentford striker Ivan Toney made his much-awaited return to the Premier League after serving an eight-month ban. The striker recently gave a heartfelt interview and insight into his months away from the pitch, and in the most fitting of stories, ended up scoring on his Premier League return. The 27-year-old converted from an unlikely position to give his team a 3-2 win against Nottingham Forest.

Ivan Toney was sanctioned with a hefty penalty of £50,000 and eight months away from Premier League action. This happened on the back of an independent commission finding that Toney had broken the Football Association’s rules on betting on 232 occasions. In the meantime, the player trained in isolation and finally returned to action for Brentford against B-teams in recent friendlies.

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His first game back in the Premier League saw him score the first goal for his side against Nottingham Forest. For a free-kick awarded at the edge of the box, Toney appeared to wipe the ‘foam’ away to move the ball a bit to his right.

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The player did so to get a better angle for his shot. This was surprisingly missed by both the referee and the opposition team players. The striker then managed to curve the ball around the wall and into an open net.

Fans scream ‘SH*THOUSERY’ and commend the ‘elite’ evil genius of Tony’s free-kick

Ivan Toney scored for Brentford in his first game back. However, this wasn’t done without controversy and an outpour of comments against the same. Fans watching from home noticed a surprising tactic employed by the player, and many have been left questioning whether the goal should have stood in the first place. Toney’s maneuver to lift the ball from the spot and place it at a better angle forced a fan to say that his eight months away hasn’t affected his ‘cheating’ nature.

Ivan Toney
Ivan Toney scored in his first game back after an eight-month ban. (Via X/@CanoFootball)

Some were baffled as to why VAR did not ask the referee to disallow the goal or at least take a second look. With all the controversy surrounding VAR, the incident will only make things worse for the officials. Some compared Toney to the likes of Lionel Messi, who they claim, has always tried to do the same throughout his career. A fan came up with an extremely witty comment, saying that he bet no one saw that coming.

As for Toney’s club Brentford, the Bees are struggling for form and on a seven-game losing streak. The club are 14th in the League and are just 6 points above the relegation zone. With their #17 back, the club will look to push forward and climb up the table. Thomas Frank‘s side take on Tottenham, Manchester City, and Liverpool in their next four games.

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