Yoane Wissa‘s close-range finish gave Brentford a winning start to their Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 home victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Palace thought they had the lead after 26 minutes, when Eberechi Eze‘s spectacular free kick beat goalkeeper Mark Flekken — who was expecting a cross into the box — at his near post.

However, the goal was ruled out for a foul on the edge of the box by Will Hughes on Nathan Collins as Eze struck the ball.

Brentford still had clinical forwards on the pitch, however, and scored against the run of play three minutes after Eze’s disallowed goal when Bryan Mbeumo finished off a sweeping move.

Wissa released Mbeumo down the right and he cut inside Palace captain Marc Guéhi, starting despite ongoing interest from Newcastle United, and fired home.

England striker Ivan Toney was left out of Brentford’s squad altogether due to other clubs’ interest, manager Thomas Frank said.

The visitors pressed for an equaliser after the break, going close twice through Adam Wharton, before they hit back in the 56th minute.

Daniel Muñoz nodded a deep cross back towards goal and, with substitute Odsonne Édouard lurking behind him, Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock could only prod the ball past his own keeper.

Palace had the ball in the net again minutes later, but Edouard strayed offside before putting a fine first-time finish beyond Flekken.

Brentford scored the winner in the 76th minute, as Collins’ effort was clawed away from goal by goalkeeper Dean Henderson but only into the path of Wissa who tapped home.

Flekken produced a great save from Eze as Brentford withstood late pressure to hold on for all three points.