Thomas Frank praised the mentality of his Brentford players after they fought back from two goals down to draw their opening Premier League game of the season at Leicester City. 

Pundits may have been dusting down the ‘second season syndrome’ cliché after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall put Leicester 2-0 ahead in the opening minute of the second half at the King Power Stadium. 

But the Bees hauled themselves back in the picture when last season’s top scorer Ivan Toney finished from close range with just over an hour played. 

The comeback was then completed with four minutes left when Josh Dasilva curled in a stunning finish to not only rescue a point, but go a long way towards putting over a year of injury misery behind him. 

Frank said: “Leicester were better than us in the first half. They dominated possession without being very dangerous. They scored a set-piece goal, they hit the post but otherwise didn't dominate us. 

"We made two changes after they scored a second in the second half. I just know the mentality of this group of players. The way they fought their way back into the game was very impressive. 

"Not many teams will come here and go 2-0 down but get back into the game. 

"The way Dasilva has come back now, even stronger and produced a moment we know he can produce. I’m so pleased, so happy." 

Dasilva played a big part in Brentford’s rise to becoming promotion contenders in the Championship, but a serious hip injury suffered in February 2021 meant he missed their play-off final victory against Swansea later that year.

It also forced him to wait until February of this year to make his Premier League debut, while a hamstring injury causing a further seven-week layoff meant he was restricted to just 10 appearances last season.

Those toils were what made his equaliser all the sweeter, with the Bees now able to go into their first home game of the campaign, against Manchester United, with a spring in their step. 

Frank said: “I wanted to say something about Josh in the dressing room after the game. 

“I almost got emotional just thinking about it. He’s been out for 18 months; almost a year then a setback and another setback.  

“He had a very good pre-season. The last week he’s looked just that little bit sharper and I knew I wanted to put him on the pitch.  

“In that moment – when he cut in - I just knew it was going to be a goal. I’ve seen that so many times from him. It’s a great moment and a great story.

“The celebrations at the end were acknowledgement of Josh’s story, and the fans’ support throughout the game. There are lots of positives to take into the next game.”