Analysis: Brentford continue to show set-piece prowess | OneFootball

Brentford showed their set-piece prowess again at Old Trafford, before ultimately falling to defeat against Manchester United.

The Bees took the lead just before half-time when Ethan Pinnock got ahead of Diogo Dalot to head in from Mikkel Damsgaard's corner. That's two goals in as many games for Pinnock, after the defender netted against Wolves just before the international break.

The Manchester United bench was unhappy with conceding after referee Samuel Barrott sent defender Matthijs de Ligt to be patched up before the set-piece was taken - we'll never know whether De Ligt's presence would have made a difference - but, considering Brentford's excellence at set-pieces this season, the outcome may have been the same.

Keith Andrews has shown so far that he has done a fine job at getting Brentford set up and ready for dead-ball situations, both offensive and defensively.

And that's not just from kick-offs either, with Erik ten Hag's side smartly conceding attacking the Stretford End in the second half to take the kick-off and avoid what could have been a now-classic Brentford beginning to the game.

In total, Brentford had two corners against United on Saturday, scoring from one. But what is often overlooked is that the Bees also defended nine from their opposition. Christian Eriksen had no luck with the deliveries that his former club dealt with.

In total, Brentford have scored three times for set-pieces (excluding penalties) this season. Only four clubs (Leicester, Villa, Everton and Brighton) have managed more.

It helps that the Bees have a centre-back pairing that is, as we know, excellent in the air. Pinnock and Nathan Collins have scored three times between them, with only Manchester City's defenders scoring more (four) than Brentford's so far this season. Thomas Frank's team are also second for headed goals scored in the Premier League this campaign with four - one behind Aston Villa.

While Brentford's second half didn't match the intensity of the first, Pinnock and Collins both put in fine performances at the back.

Collins won seven aerials during the game - more than anyone on the pitch - as well as having the most touches (98) and successful passes (72) than anyone else. The centre-back also made a further two blocks: no one in the top five leagues of European football has made more blocks (25) than him this season.

And for the few defensive statistics that Collins didn't top, Pinnock was there to sweep up. Pinnock had the most clearances (eight) in the game, made four successful tackles (Casemiro topped this chart with five), and also made two interceptions.

Mark Flekken was once again reliable in goal - the Dutchman is now up to 42 saves for the season, trailing only Joan García of Espanyol (44). And his compatriot Sepp van de Berg had a good clash with the lively Alejandro Garnacho, which saw no player manage as many interceptions (three) as the right-back.

The big bonus at the end of the game was the return of Yoane Wissa from injury. The forward was last seen scoring against Man City back in September and has been averaging 1.15 goals and assists per 90 before his injury (three goals and one assist in five games). Ahead of him in this category is just a small elite group that includes Nicolas Jackson, Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka.