Brentford 4-1 Leicester City: Schade hat-trick keeps Bees unbeaten at home

Kevin Schade’s hat-trick ensured Brentford remained unbeaten at home as they saw off Leicester City 4-1 at the Gtech Community Stadium.

After Ruud van Nistelrooy was announced as the new manager on Friday, first-team coach Ben Dawson led a sorry Leicester performance as Thomas Frank’s men delivered another goal-laden display.

Facundo Buonanotte gave Leicester fans hope of a new beginning as he put the visitors ahead after 21 minutes, but Yoane Wissa ensured the joy did not last for long, equalising four minutes later.

Schade then put the hosts ahead soon after before grabbing his second just before half-time, poking home from a tight angle.

He completed his hat-trick just before the hour, striding onto Nathan Collins' curling ball in behind before slotting past Mads Hermansen to put the Bees in control.

It moves Brentford up to seventh, just two points off the Champions League spots, while Leicester remain 16th.

Data Debrief: Floodgates open for hat-trick hero Schade

Before today, Schade's last Premier League goal came all the way back in April 2024 against Luton Town. He scored just two goals in his first 41 Premier League appearances.

He is only the fourth German to score a hat-trick in the Premier League, along with Jurgen Klinsmann (1998), Fredi Bobic (2002), and Andre Schurrle (2014).

He is also only the second player to do so for Brentford in the competition, after Ivan Toney (twice). 

His hat-trick adds to Brentford's fine goal-scoring form and sees them become the first side to score 20+ goals at home in the Premier League this season.

After seven home games, it's the earliest into a league season that the Bees have reached 20+ home goals since 1982-83 (also seven), and earliest in the top-flight since 1936-37 (also seven).