We Said he was good!

FRANK’S DELIGHTED BENRAHMA IS PROVING HE IS A TOP PLAYER

SAID BENRAHMA scored a goal-of-the-season contender as Brentford gave Leeds and West Brom another reminder that their places in the Premier League are not sealed yet.

The Algerian netted twice in the second half, including a wonderful curling effort, as his side made it seven straight wins and sealed at least a play-off spot.

But boss Thomas Frank said: “I think I’ve seen one more from Benrahma, one from Ollie Watkins, one from Bryan Mbeumo and one from Josh Dasilva better than that!

“I’m spoiled with good players. Said is a top player, we knew he could be one of the best offensive players in the league – and he has proved that.”

Brentford have looked so good since the restart and even any mini slip-up by their rivals could now be fatal. Frank said: “I don’t think we can hide that we’re on a decent run. We are in promotion form.

“At the restart we did not have an aim for the top two. But now can we catch them? If we can then fantastic, if not we can take the momentum in the play-offs.”

The Bees looked in the mood from the off and needed just three minutes to open the scoring.

Dasilva’s pass found Mbeumo whose clever shot hit the post but Watkins was on hand to make it 24 for the season.

Derby responded well with Chris

Martin’s powerful drive that was well saved by David Raya.

And the Rams were level on the half-hour mark as Wayne Rooney’s pass found the on-running Jason Knight who drove home low and hard.

Suddenly the Bees were rattled – something that you can rarely say about Frank’s men these days – and Louie Sibley missed a good chance to give Derby the lead.

The momentum went against the Rams, still competing for a play-off spot, just four minutes after the restart though.

And it was a real howler from keeper Ben Hamer.

Clever build-up play by Dasilva and Emiliano Marcondes set up Benrahma whose powerful shot was fumbled into his own net by Hamer.

Then came Benrahma’s moment of magic after 64 minutes, as he cut in from the left and beat two men before curling his shot home.

It was his 17th of the season and his side’s 78th league goal. They now have a goal difference of plus 43.

Derby boss Phillip Cocu said: “It was frustrating. We played a decent game against a strong team.

“But we made mistakes and they were heavy. It’s a shame this keeps happening.

“Ben took full responsibility but it was just poor defending overall.”