BRENTFORD MATCH REPORT

After three winless games in all competitions, Sunderland defeated Brentford to progress to the quarter finals of the Carabao Cup.

Three first half goals within 10 minutes of each other saw Sunderland in front, with Chemsdine Talbi, Timur Tutierov and Malick Fofana getting on the scoresheet. Just before half time, a Callum Wilson strike gave Brentford hope of a comeback but even with an Igor Thiago header in added time, Sunderland were able to hold on to see their name in the quarter final draw.

Regis Le Bris side went into the game without a win in three, only scoring once in that time. Brentford have had a similar dip in form and are also without a win in three. Last time out they fell to a one-all draw at Hull City.

The last time Sunderland made it to the quarter-finals was in 2021-22 where they were beaten by Arsenal, 5-1 at the Emirates. The Bees have been in the quarter finals four times and are looking to make it for the third time in a row.

Regis Le Bris made wholesale changes for the game with 11 changes to the team. Chemsdine Talbi returned to the starting XI for the first time since the last round in the cup, while Thomas Meunier returned from injury on the bench.

Brentford held a strong starting XI with Callum Wilson and Igor Thiago being selected to play up front together.

KO

Thiago came close to opening the scoring with 15 minutes played. A cross from Malick Diouf found him at the front post, his shot was into the side netting. From the corner they again should have taken the lead, Ellborg came out to punch the ball clear but Jannick Schuster beat him to it, his header struck the bar and his rebound was then saved by the Sunderland keeper.

The visitors came close again when Michael Kayode’s strike on the edge of the box was brilliantly tipped over by Ellborg after Diouf’s strike was blocked by Kevin Danso.

Despite the pressure Sunderland took the lead after 25 minutes. A quick counter attack saw Jocelin Ta Bi in on goal although on a narrow angle, his shot was saved by Hakon Valdimarsson but Talbi was able to tap in the rebound from a yard out.

From the kickoff, Brentford had a great chance to equalise. Mikkel Damsgaard squared the ball across the edge of the box to Wilson, his shot looped over onto the roof of the net.

Within five minutes Sunderland had doubled their lead, Jocelin Ta Bi squared up his man before beating him and running towards the goalkeeper and selflessly cutting it back for the on running Timur Tutierov who smashed it into the net.

It was then three for Sunderland before the interval. Tutierov ran in behind but the keeper dragged him wide, he played the ball back to Ta Bi who whipped the ball to the back post as Valdimarsson was out of position and Fofana was able to head home from close range.

Brentford earned one back with four minutes left of the first half, a scuffed strike from Vitaly Janelt found its way to Wilson, his first time strike was somehow tipped onto the bar by Ellborg before bouncing in.

And just before the break, the visitors almost saw the deficit halved. Diouf’s header across the six-yard line found Wilson but Ellborg was able to smother the chance.

HT

After a stop start opening 15 minutes after the interval, it was Sunderland who almost earned their fourth. A bad pass out from Valdimarsson found Chris Rigg at the edge of the box unchallenged. He delayed his strike, unable to get it out of his feet and his eventual shot was blocked by the recovering defenders.

Brentford struggled in the second half to get the chances they had in the first 45 and it took until the final 15 minutes to get any good opportunities. Vitaly Janelt’s half volley through the bodies was narrowly over the bar. Soon after, Luke O’Nien was able to clear Thiago’s header off the line.

In additional time Brentford had got a second, Thiago’s glancing header squirmed under Ellborg but it was too little too late as Sunderland held on to earn their place in the quarter finals. Sunderland next play on Saturday against Coventry City at the CBS Arena. Brentford play Nottingham Forest at the same time.