KEITH ANDREWS reckons his striker Igor Thiago is good enough to play for Brazil.
And the Brentford boss revealed the Samba Boys had been in contact about his striker — who has scored more than any Brazilian playing in Europe this season.
If Carlo Ancelotti sent scouts to run the rule over him at the Gtech they would have seen Thiago overcome a frustrating afternoon before scoring twice — once from the spot — to take his season’s tally to 12.
Thiago had missed chances and found it hard to find the quality he has shown this season for much of the game.
But with 19 minutes left, he calmly stepped up to roll the ball into the bottom left corner after Axel Tuanzebe hauled down Dango Ouattara.
The lead was shortlived as Michael Kayode stupidly brought down Jaidon Anthony — and Lyle Foster fired home from the spot with 15 minutes left.
Yet a minute later and Thiago smashed home a thumping effort from Jordan Henderson’s cross.
The Brazilian went off after getting a knock late on to a standing ovation yet there was still time for Ouattara to add an injury-time third from another Henderson pass.
This result lifted the Bees up to eighth and in striking distance of the European spots.
After back-to-back wins against Leeds and Wolves, having beaten Sunderland in their opening home game, there was a lot of hope at Turf Moor that they could perhaps get a foothold back into the top flight.
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But four straight losses to Arsenal, West Ham, Chelsea and now Brentford sees them second bottom.
Referee Sam Barratt booked Burnley’s Hannibal 17 minutes in after taking a dive under a challenge from Jensen after he had pounced on them being careless playing out from a goal kick.
The Bees should have been in front down the other end when Thiago was found by a glorious ball from Mikkel Damsgaard — but he put his effort wide.
Damsgaard then curled a ferocious shot inches over after picking up a wayward pass from Ouattara on the edge of the box.\
Burnley were denied an opener when Cooimhin Kelleher saved Axel Tuanzebe’s effort from point-blank range.
And the keeper came to the Bees’ rescue again when he managed to tip away a Zian Flemming drive that was destined for the top right corner.
Neither team had been able to find the final piece of quality in the final third and this was further epitomised when Hickey spooned a shot over the bar when well placed just inside the 18-yard box.
Brentford thought they had scored when Ouattara was slipped through but his shot was saved by Martin Dubravka.
The loose ball was fired home by Thiago but Ouattara had been flagged offside.
Michael Kayode then stood up an excellent cross to the back stick but Ouattara nodded wide.
It was not proving to be Thiago’s day as he slammed an effort wastefully wide after the loose ball fell to him after a cross was only half cleared.
And Ouattara sent a header off target as the Bees continued to search for the breakthrough.
Brentford fans were getting restless and groaned when a one-two between Damsgaard and Thiago did not come off.
Ouattara — who was having a poor game — then headed a Kevin Schade cross wide.
But the Bees were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty after a lengthy VAR check.
Ouattara superbly got into the box before Axel Tuenzebe hauled him down from behind.
Thiago stepped up and coolly rolled the ball into the bottom left corner.
But the lead did not last long as Kayode stupidly hacked down Jaidon Anthony, who was going nowhere inside the right edge of the box.
Foster calmly converted into the bottom right corner.
Yet incredibly Brentford regained the lead almost immediately down the other end with Thiago firing home.
The Brazilian hobbled off late on to a standing ovation.
And there was still time for Ouattara to slam home after running on to a Henderson pass.
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