Brentford boss Keith Andrews hailed Igor Thiago as a “very special player” after he backed up his Brazil debut with a record-breaking brace in a 2-2 draw with fellow European hopefuls Everton.
Striker Thiago became the Bees’ all-time leading scorer in a single Premier League season by taking his tally to 21 with an early penalty and a fortuitous 77th-minute finish.
Brentford were ultimately frustrated as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall levelled in added time at the Gtech Community Stadium after Beto headed Everton’s initial equaliser.
Thiago joined the Bees in a club-record £30million deal from Belgian side Club Brugge in 2024 but missed most of last term due to injury.
“The biggest thing for Thiago this season was staying fit and playing as many minutes as he has,” said Andrews. “We always knew he had brilliant attributes.
“The goals get all the attention but his overall performance levels continue to get better and better and he’s constantly evolving his game.
“He’s proving to be a very, very special player.”
Thiago converted from the spot in the third minute following Jordan Pickford’s foul on Kevin Schade to move alongside Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo as Brentford players to have scored 20 goals in a Premier League campaign.
The 24-year-old, who registered a hat-trick in his side’s 4-2 win at Everton in January, then claimed a small piece of history by deflecting home Michael Kayode’s shot.
Thiago won his first Brazil cap in a 2-1 friendly defeat to France on March 26 before scoring a penalty in a 3-1 win over Croatia on April 1.
“He was in a pretty good place before he left (for international duty),” said Andrews. “He’s grown as the season has gone on, naturally with the journey he’s been on.
“The dream of playing for your country, quite an iconic jersey to wear, was special for all of us and I think he is on cloud nine, there’s no doubt about that.
“Hopefully that can continue for the rest of the season and beyond.”
The two sides remain firmly in the mix for continental qualification but each missed the chance to pile pressure on Liverpool and Chelsea in the battle to secure Champions League football through a top-five finish.
Brentford stay seventh after edging on to 47 points following a fourth consecutive league draw, with eighth-placed Everton below on goal difference ahead of next weekend’s Merseyside derby.
Speaking about the late leveller, Andrews said: “Unfortunately we couldn’t quite manage those last few moments to see out what I feel would have been a well-deserved win.”
Dewsbury-Hall’s crucial strike was his seventh Everton goal since joining from Chelsea.
Toffees boss David Moyes said: “Kiernan has been so good for us. From last season there are not many changes but Kiernan has come in and helped us greatly.
“His goals have been hugely important. When I was signing him, when I was speaking with him, he did say, ‘I’ll score goals if I’m played in the right way’.
“He’s scored goals, he’s contributed to the performances, so we’ve been really impressed with Kiernan.
“I’m pleased to get a draw out of the game because it looked as if it wasn’t going to be the case. It’s a tough place to come, taking a point from here is not the worst result.”
