When all is Said & done!
SAID BENRAHMA netted a superb hattrick to maintain Brentford’s perfect restart – and pile more misery on poor Wigan.
The Bees’ fourth consecutive win without conceding a goal since the lockdown moves them to within two points of West Brom in the second automatic spot.
But Wigan, unbeaten in their last nine games, suffered a horrible defeat in the week they plunged into administration and fans paid the travel costs to get to Griffin Park.
Despite calls for an investigation into the recent takeover of the 2013 FA Cup winners, the Latics face a 12-point penalty and a losing battle against relegation.
By contrast, Brentford are still looking up to the Premier League with their strikeforce also starring Ollie Watkins and Bryan Mbeumo with a combined 52 goals this season – Benrahma now on 14.
Bees boss Thomas Frank said: “Said has had a good season, but he has absolutely hit the ground running after this coronavirus break.
“He is getting better and better and I have to praise him for his work ethic. He has been good, he needs to keep it up. Three goals a game will be good.”
Frank was just as pleased with his defence after keeping a club record fifth clean sheet in a row. The Dane added: “We are in a good place. Everyone can see that after five wins. We have everything to win and nothing to lose.”
Wigan had been unbeaten since February but their long streak without conceding a goal ended at 684 minutes when Benrahma latched on to a header from Emiliano Marcondes to volley home on 19 minutes.
The Algerian and left-back Rico Henry offered a constant threat on the left. But Benrahma’s second goal was all his own work on 57 minutes.
The No.10 twisted and turned on the left before his cross-shot floated over keeper David Marshall and into the far top corner.
“It was definitely a cross,” laughed Frank. “He tried to claim it was something else but it was a cross.”
BRENTFORD
Benrahma completed his hat-trick on 66 minutes with a low shot after a neat pass from Christian Norgaard.
And then Wigan’s week of misery was sealed when sub Joe Garner was sent off on 81 minutes for a recklessly high tackle on Jan Zamburek.
Wigan fans have raised over £100,000 to keep the club going.
And manager Paul Cook said: “All the staff and players can do is thank the supporters. It was a tough day for us.
“The only thing I can guarantee is we won’t be lying down and fading away. I guarantee we will lift these players and fight until we can’t and there is no mathematical chance.
“There is a realistic chance we can stay up.
“We had a bad day but Brentford are a very good side.”
WIGAN