All Said and done, it’s sweet revenge for Bees
SAID BENRAHMA gave his Premier League suitors a nudge as Brentford gained some revenge for their play-off final defeat with a 3-0 Carabao Cup victory over Fulham.
Benrahma, the star of Brentford’s promotion bid last season, scored twice as the Bees reached the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
The Algerian midfielder has been linked with a host of top-flight clubs and handed his first start of this season he took his chance in style.
Fulham boss Scott Parker made ten changes to the side thumped by Aston Villa on Monday and they were inches away from taking a tenth-minute lead when Neeskens Kebano whipped a 25yard free-kick against the crossbar.
Bees goalkeeper David Raya almost gifted Fulham an opener with a poor clearance but Anthony Knockaert could only find the side-netting.
Brentford went ahead eight minutes before half-time, with debutant Saman Ghoddos the architect. The Iran midfielder took advantage when Jean Michael Seri lost possession, before setting up Finnish youngster Marcus Forss to slam home.
Parker sent on new loan signing Ademola Lookman for his debut at the break as Fulham injected some urgency into their attack. Raya was forced into a fine save to keep out Kebano’s looping effort before Lookman’s cut-back was blazed over the crossbar by Seri.
Benrahma doubled the lead when he arrived at the far post to convert Ethan Pinnock’s header across goal.
He then killed Fulham off with a stunning turn and shot for what could yet be his final goal in Brentford colours.
THEY SAID IT
‘It means a lot. We knew before the game that if we won then we would make history and that gave us a boost, and you could see that on the pitch - we were on it.’
Brentford striker Marcus Forss (pictured) after his goal set Brentford on their way to a 3-0 victory over Fulham and a first ever appearance in the League Cup quarter-finals