Brentford vs Fulham. Carabao Cup Fourth Round.
Gtech Community Stadium.
Report and match highlights as Brentford reach Carabao Cup last eight; Bees host Newcastle in quarter-finals; Said Benrahma plays despite transfer links and scores twice for Thomas Frank's side
Thursday 1 October 2020 22:41, UK
Said Benrahma scored twice as Brentford reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals for the first time in their history with a 3-0 win over struggling west London rivals Fulham.
Marcus Forss opened the scoring shortly before half-time (37), before a Benrahma double (62, 77) - the second after an impudent piece of skill - ensured Thomas Frank's side gained a modicum of revenge for their defeat to the Cottagers in the Championship play-off final.
Benrahma has been linked with a move to Crystal Palace during this window and while a deal has yet to materialise, the Algeria midfielder - who simply smiled after the game and said: "I'm at Brentford. I'm happy." - certainly gave any Premier League suitors a nudge before the transfer deadline on his first start of the season.
While Brentford have booked a last-eight clash at home to Newcastle, defeat means more misery for Fulham boss Scott Parker, whose side have lost all three matches upon their return to the top flight.
Parker made 10 changes to the Fulham side thumped by Aston Villa on Monday and they were inches away from taking a 10th-minute lead when Neeskens Kebano whipped a 25-yard free-kick round the Brentford wall and against the crossbar.
Bees goalkeeper David Raya almost then gifted Fulham an opener with a poor clearance but Anthony Knockaert could only find the side-netting.
Instead 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, found space down the right and squared the ball for Finnish youngster Forss to slam home.
Fulham attempted to hit back before the interval but Aboubakar Kamara's curler was too high.
Parker sent on Ademola Lookman for his debut at the break and the former Everton winger 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.
But Benrahma doubled the lead when he arrived at the far post to convert Ethan Pinnock's header across goal and one of last season's star performers killed Fulham off with a stunning turn and shot for what could yet be his final goal in Brentford colours.
Jamie Redknapp: "Fulham were marginally better in the second half - Lookman gave them a little bit of pace - but Brentford had that class and Benrahma produced a piece of genius! He knows what he's doing for the second goal; the audacity of it. It's delicious."
Paul Merson: "He's got talent but he's got to perform on the big stage when the big games come along. Palace have got players in that position - would he be playing?"
Brentford's Thomas Frank: "Am I confident he will stay? I'm confident that I would love him to stay, and I would love to have him. But I don't know. Honestly. If the price is right we are open to selling, but if not we will be happy for him to stay.
"Either we are going to get a top price or we are going to keep one of the best players in the Championship. Has he added a few million to his price? 100 per cent!"
"It's particularly satisfying that we wrote history tonight at the new stadium. Beating a local rival and creating history, we are very pleased."
Fulham's Scott Parker: "We all understand, we've strengthened in certain areas but it's quite clear the team in that area needs some help. But there's nothing at the moment.
"We are where we are. This is a team in transition, we came fourth in the Championship last year. There are issues that need to be resolved and hopefully we will do that."
Brentford have a Carabao Cup quarter-final to look forward to on December 22/23, with all four last-eight ties to be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Back in the Sky Bet Championship, Brentford host Preston at 2pm on Sunday while Fulham travel to face Wolves in the Premier League on the same day, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League; coverage starts at 1pm with kick-off at 2pm.
