Fans react to Gareth Southgate’s ‘CRIMINAL’ decision not to take Ivan Toney to the World Cup

Fans have questioned Gareth Southgate’s decision to leave Ivan Toney at home for the World Cup after Brentford scored a dramatic goal in his side’s win over Manchester City.

Despite scoring eight goals in 13 Premier League games this season before taking his tally in double figures in the win over Pep Guardiola, Toney was not selected in Southgate’s 26-man squad.

Alongside England talisman Harry Kane, Southgate favored Marcus Rashford and Callum Wilson over in-form Toney as the attackers who will be on the plane to Qatar.

While missing out on a chance to bow his England at a major tournament will no doubt have been a disappointment for the 26-year-old, Toney has responded brilliantly to the Etihad.

The former Peterborough star opened the scoring after just 16 minutes when he forced his header past Ederson to give the visitors an unexpected early lead.

City hit back via Phil Foden, but Brentford would leave with the three points as Toney put himself in the right place at the right time to claim the winner seven minutes into stoppage time.

After his exceptional performance in the win, fans took to social media to wonder why Toney was not selected by Southgate.

@iLatif_ wrote: So Southgate decided to take Mason Mount to the World Cup and leave Ivan Toney? This is why England are not quick to win a trophy.

Another user added: ‘Ivan Toney made Southgate look like a fool’

@hayes_hot also questioned the England manager’s roster: ‘Southgate must explain why Ivan Toney won’t pick the England squad, what a striker.’

Another user was more succinct in his analysis: “Toney makes Southgate look like an idiot.”

While @AFCWalter_ wrote: ‘Southgate is a criminal for not bringing Toney to Qatar’