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SPECIAL LOAN MENTION: Arsenal youngster Toral continues bright start at Birmingham

Jon Toral continued his great start to life in the Midlands on the weekend, scoring his second goal in as many matches for loan side Birmingham City who drew 2-2 with Burnley.

Toral, on loan from Arsenal, headed home what proved to be the winner in the Blues' season opener against Reading last weekend.

The Spanish midfielder was on hand after just 10 minutes on Saturday, firing a lethal first time strike into the bottom left hand corner.

Toral also had a contribution in Birmingham's second goal, providing the pass to Clayton Donaldson, who won a penalty that was converted by Paul Caddis.

Despite the Spaniard's efforts, Burnley's Matt Taylor struck a fine free-kick late in the game to level the scores at 2-2.

After the game, Birmingham boss Gary Rowett lauded Toral's start to the season.

"He is a really clever footballer. At 20 years of age, he has got two goals in two league games," he said.

"And that's why we brought him in: he adds a real goal threat to us.

"He finished it off sublimely and showed some really nice touches. When he plays well he's a very difficult player to mark and I felt first-half Burnley struggled to control him, in that little pocket behind their midfield two.

"We did a lot of work in the week to see if we could try and exploit that."

Toral spent last season on loan at Brentford, where he scored six times in 34 appearances. The 20-year-old holds both English and Spanish citizenship, and will have a decision to make should he continue in his current vein of goalscoring form over the course of the season.

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Tim McGlone
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