19 February 2024 , 14:03
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Ivan Toney hopes to reignite his England career at the Etihad - by sinking the champions again.
Brentford’s talisman sank Manchester City with a 98th-minute winner, one of the shock results of last season, just 24 hours after being left out of the Three Lions’ World Cup squad. He had made his international debut against Ukraine eight months earlier in a season he littered with 20 Premier League goals.
After a delayed start this term, Toney has scored four times in five appearances since his eight-month ban for breaching FA betting rules. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp even remarked how difficult it was to keep Toney quiet after the striker's consolation goal for Brentford in their 4-1 defeat to the Reds on Saturday.
And he still looks the best alternative to Harry Kane as the focal point of Gareth Southgate’s front line. His target is a call-up to England’s Euro 24 squad this summer, and he said: “That’s the goal - but I don’t know what’s going to happen between now and then. I just have to make sure I’m playing well and scoring goals.
“My England debut was a dream come true, but I don’t want to be dipping in and dipping out. I want it to be a continuous thing, a long-term thing. Hopefully I can get in the squad and contribute a lot more.”
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Toney was on target against Premier League leaders Liverpool at the weekend, although his goal came too late to prevent the Bees slumping to a 4-1 defeat. But he has another chance to affect the title race at City, where his last-gasp winner 15 months ago was a powerful statement after missing the cut for England’s crusade in Qatar.
He said: “There was a lot of talk before that game, but I kept on doing my thing when I had the chance. And then I scored the winner against City - it doesn’t get much better than that. Scoring two goals and helping the team beat the champions, that’s some doing.”
Toney scored again in Brentford's defeat to Liverpool on Saturday (Getty Images)City had better prepare for another battle. According to Brentford’s matchday programme, Toney was the most-fouled striker in the Premier League last season - and he returned serve by committing the most fouls.
He said: “Maybe defenders are targeting me, but that’s just my game, being rough, and obviously the defenders are going to give it back. You’ve just got to be ready for it.
“I’m the kind of player that gets stuck in and I’ll do all the rough bits for the other strikers.”
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