Analysis: Thiago’s relentless goalscoring is rewriting Brentford history

Analysis: Thiago’s relentless goalscoring is rewriting Brentford history

A finger wag followed by a point to the heavens. Igor Thiago's goal celebration is, by now, a familiar sight for Brentford fans.

And, on Saturday, the Bees' No.9 wrote himself into the club's history books with a double against Everton.

Fresh from scoring for Brazil after his maiden international call-up, the red-hot striker notched a brace in a 2-2 draw with the Toffees to move above Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo as Brentford’s most prolific scorer in a Premier League season.

Thiago started the day a goal shy of Toney and Mbeumo's shared benchmark of 20 - set in 2022/23 and 2024/25, respectively - but leapfrogged them with a typically predatory display.

Now with 21 goals to his name this term, only Harry Kane (31), Kylian Mbappé (23) and Erling Haaland (22) have scored more across Europe’s top five leagues this season.

Thiago’s post-match interview echoed his trademark gesture to the skies, reflecting the faith and determination behind his remarkable 2025/26 campaign.

“When I came to Brentford, I wanted to try my best and to break records,” said the striker after scoring a first-half penalty and adding a deflected effort in the 76th minute following a rampaging run from Michael Kayode.

“This is what God gave to me,” he added. “I just want to praise him for everything he has given to me. I am really happy and so excited for the rest of the season.”

David Moyes’ side will be glad to see the back of Thiago after the Brazilian’s hat-trick in the reverse fixture at Hill Dickinson Stadium. The 24-year-old’s two-goal salvo at the Gtech, however, saw him complete a different kind of treble.

Following in distinguished footsteps, Brentford have now had more different players (three) score 20+ goals in a season than any other club since the Bees joined the top flight in 2021.

Pegged back on two occasions by goals from Beto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, the hosts had to settle for a point after an entertaining contest that exploded into life with Thiago's early spot-kick.

Brentford have won more penalties than any team in the division this season, and a rapid break seconds after kick-off ended with Everton keeper Jordan Pickford clipping Kevin Schade on the edge of the visitors' six-yard box.

Thiago converted with a clinical low strike from 12 yards out, and the former Club Brugge striker has now scored more penalties (seven) than any other player this term.

Schade and Dango Ouattara merit a mention here, as the German (two) and the Burkina Faso international (four) have won six of the nine penalties awarded to the Bees in 2025/26.

Thiago's second of the afternoon was the type of scruffy finish true strikers live for.

The tireless Kayode burst into the box from the right flank, and the Italian’s poked effort at goal deflected off Thiago's midriff to wrong-foot Pickford and ripple the back of the net.

Since shrugging off the injury problems that punctuated his first season in TW8, Thiago has showcased his ability to score a wide variety of goals - from the spectacular to the scrappy - and has become the first Brazilian ever to score 20 goals in a Premier League season.

Now within touching distance of Haaland, Thiago’s next objective is clear: to outscore the Norwegian and claim the Premier League Golden Boot.