Peter Crouch hails non-league posterboy Ethan Pinnock after Brentford's win over Chelsea - 'He is a shining light'

Peter Crouch hailed the performance of Brentford defender Ethan Pinnock after his goal set them on their way to a memorable 2-0 win over Chelsea.

Pinnock brilliantly powered home a header from Bryan Mbeumo’s cross just shy of the hour mark, and Crouch highlighted the defender’s journey from Dulwich Hamlet to the Premier League.

“I wanted to touch on his non-league experience, because he is a shining light for some of those boys,” he told TNT Sports.

“Quite often you get lost in the non-league, but when you see someone like that, you look up to them, and it shows that it can be done.

“Obviously with his consistency, he's become a mainstay in this Brentford team and I'm really pleased for him because he's a really nice lad.

“To get the winner at Stamford Bridge is something he'd only dream about playing for Forest Green and Dulwich Hamlet.”

The man himself then talked through his goal and hopes that other aspiring non-league players can take inspiration from his path to the top-flight.

“I was buzzing; we work on the long throw-in routines a lot and my job was to basically hang around on the back post, stay onside, and get onto anything that gets over the last man.

“As soon as he [Mbeumo] crossed it, I could see the height and it was just about timing and ensuring I had enough contact.

“I'm really enjoying it, it's my third season now and I feel that in each season as a player and as a team, we've progressed.

“It's a good example to a lot of boys that aren't in the league about what could happen, if you find a level to keep playing at and stay consistent.”

Meanwhile, it was another momentous day for Thomas Frank after leading Brentford to victory in three consecutive seasons at Stamford Bridge.

He explained just how far the club has come in recent years after a long period languishing in the lower leagues.

“I've got some good people around me that remind me about what it is we were doing and the progress we've had,” he said.

“In the moment you're so focused to develop, keep going and keep pushing, but to come here and win is just incredible.

“We have no fear and have huge respect for every opponent.

“We know on paper are better that a lot are better than us, but when we play out here, we are tough to play against.

“We could've easily lost this game, but we have massive belief in the squad.”

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