Brentford's Ivan Toney narrowly beat Stoke defender Harry Souttar to the ball to finish first-time
Ivan Toney scored his 25th Championship goal of the season as second-placed Brentford fought back to beat Stoke and move within four points of leaders Norwich.
The hosts trailed after just 27 seconds when goalkeeper David Raya inexplicably passed straight to Potters wing-back Tommy Smith, who squared for Jacob Brown to tap in.
Thomas Frank's side were lethargic in the first half, but levelled in style after the break through Vitaly Janelt's arrowed strike into the top corner from nearly 25 yards.
Stoke hit the bar with Jordan Cousins' lob, but left West London empty-handed after striker Toney slotted past Angus Gunn from Bryan Mbeumo's nod-down.
Victory for Brentford, coupled with defeats for promotion rivals Watford and Swansea, left them three points clear of third place, while 10th-placed Stoke lost ground on the play-offs.
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The Bees were caught cold in the opening minute which seemed to effect them for the rest of the first half, and Stoke could have been further ahead had Raya not made himself big to keep out Nick Powell from close range.
But when Germany Under-21 midfielder Janelt lashed home after the ball broke to him, the Bees woke up, with Sergi Canos' cut-back almost finding Toney, and Saman Ghoddos forcing Gunn to tip over from 30 yards.
Michael O'Neill's Stoke pressed surprisingly high throughout, but other than Cousins' audacious effort they struggled to have much of an attacking impact in the second half and they are now winless in nine away league matches, losing their past three.
And the Championship's leading scorer Toney - making his first start after a minor ankle knock - could not be kept quiet, using his predatory instinct to score the winner.
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsBrentford
Formation 4-3-3
1Raya22Dalsgaard23Reid5Pinnock29Bech Sørensen14Dasilva27Janelt20Ghoddos19Mbeumo17Toney24Fosu-Henry
- 1Raya22Dalsgaard23Reid5Pinnock29Bech Sørensen14DasilvaBooked at 18minsSubstituted forJensenat 59'minutes27JaneltSubstituted forNørgaardat 77'minutes20GhoddosSubstituted forMarcondesat 86'minutes19Mbeumo17Toney24Fosu-HenrySubstituted forCanósat 59'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Nørgaard7Canós8Jensen9Marcondes15Forss28Daniels30Rasmussen31Zamburek41Bidstrup
Stoke
Formation 3-5-2
1Gunn36Souttar6Batth12Chester14Smith4Allen13Obi34Thompson46Norrington-Davies18Brown25Powell
- 1Gunn36Souttar6Batth12ChesterSubstituted forClarkeat 83'minutes14Smith4AllenBooked at 68mins13Obi34ThompsonBooked at 25minsSubstituted forCousinsat 45'minutes46Norrington-DaviesBooked at 35minsSubstituted forTymonat 45'minutes18BrownSubstituted forVokesat 84'minutes25Powell
Substitutes
- 9Vokes16Davies20Oakley-Boothe24Cousins35Tymon39Forrester43Coates44Norton47Clarke
Referee:John BrooksMatch StatsHome TeamBrentfordAway TeamStokePossessionHome62%Away38%ShotsHome15Away10Shots on TargetHome4Away3CornersHome4Away1FoulsHome15Away18Live TextPost update
Match ends, Brentford 2, Stoke City 1.
90'+5'Full Time
Second Half ends, Brentford 2, Stoke City 1.
90'+4'Post update
Attempt blocked. Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
90'+3'Post update
Attempt missed. Nick Powell (Stoke City) right footed shot from the left side of the box is too high following a set piece situation.
90'+2'Post update
Foul by Sergi Canós (Brentford).
90'+2'Post update
Jack Clarke (Stoke City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
88'Post update
Attempt missed. Ivan Toney (Brentford) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Henrik Dalsgaard with a cross.
87'Post update
Foul by Mathias Jensen (Brentford).
87'Post update
Nick Powell (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
86'Post update
Foul by Mathias Jensen (Brentford).
86'Post update
Joe Allen (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
86'Substitution
Substitution, Brentford. Emiliano Marcondes replaces Saman Ghoddos.
84'Post update
Attempt missed. Ivan Toney (Brentford) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Bryan Mbeumo.
84'Substitution
Substitution, Stoke City. Sam Vokes replaces Jacob Brown.
83'Substitution
Substitution, Stoke City. Jack Clarke replaces James Chester.
81'Post update
Attempt blocked. James Chester (Stoke City) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Tommy Smith with a cross.
81'Post update
Foul by Christian Nørgaard (Brentford).
81'Post update
Harry Souttar (Stoke City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
79'goalGoal!
Goal! Brentford 2, Stoke City 1. Ivan Toney (Brentford) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Bryan Mbeumo with a headed pass.
77'Substitution
Substitution, Brentford. Christian Nørgaard replaces Vitaly Janelt.
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Source: bbc.com