Brentford striker Igor Thiago took his tally for the season to 11 goals in 13 games with a late double as the Bees inflicted a fourth-straight defeat on struggling Burnley.
In a game that remained goalless until the 81st minute, the Brazilian striker opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Zian Flemming replied for Burnley with a penalty at the other end four minutes later.
But Brentford regained the lead a minute later as Thiago smashed home from close range after Jordan Henderson’s ball into the box created problems for the Burnley defence before Dango Ouattara sealed the victory in injury time.
The home side were on the front foot early on, with Thiago firing over from close range after a cutback from Mikkel Damsgaard shortly before the Danish midfielder also went close.
It was not until the final minutes of a goalless first half that Burnley had their first shot on target as Dutch forward Flemming forced Caoimhin Kelleher into an acrobatic save.
Thiago had a goal ruled out for offside and Michael Kayode headed narrowly wide inside the first 10 minutes of the second half and Keith Andrews’ Brentford were growing increasingly frustrated.
But then Axel Tuanzebe fouled Ouattara in the box, allowing Thiago, who missed from the spot at Brighton last weekend, to break the deadlock.
However, Burnley struck back when Kayode conceded another spot-kick only moments later with Flemming scoring his fourth goal in five matches only for Thiago to restore the home side’s advantage with his 86th-minute strike.
Ouattara then put the result beyond doubt as the Bees climbed to eight in the table with 19 points from 13 matches.
Burnley remain second-bottom with 10 points.
Brentford analysis: Thiago shines again
Thiago has been Brentford’s best player this season and he proved why again against Burnley.
The striker scored one spot-kick but then missed the chance to equalise from another penalty in a 2-1 loss at Brighton last weekend.
But he made no mistake from 12 yards this time when the home side finally forced a resolute Burnley defence into a mistake late on.
It took his goals tally for the season to double figures – with five penalties – and he scored his 11th of the campaign just five minutes later with a sharp finish after Burnley had grabbed an unlikely equaliser.
Only Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (14) has scored more goals in the Premier League this season than Thiago, who has 11 in 13 appearances.
The 24-year-old will be hoping Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has noticed his impressive displays this season.
Yet to be capped by Brazil, Thiago’s scintillating form has seen him score nine goals in the past eight matches – including doubles in wins against Manchester United and Newcastle.
