Three-goal burst helps Sunderland book place in Carabao Cup quarter-finals
Brentford were beaten on Wearside.
Three goals in 10 first-half minutes helped Sunderland into the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
The Black Cats beat Brentford 3-2 at the Stadium of Light, with Chemsdine Talbi, Timur Tutierov and Malick Fofana on target – and right-winger Jocelin Ta Bi having a hand in all three goals for Regis Le Bris’ much-changed team.
Callum Wilson pulled one back within three minutes, tapping in off the bar from four yards out, after Vitaly Janelt’s scuffed shot had fallen to him.
Igor Thiago set up a thrilling finish when goalkeeper Melker Ellborg failed to deal with his header in the fourth minute of five added on at the end of the contest.
However, the Black Cats held on to book a place in the last eight of the competition for the first time in five years – when they were a League One team.
Sunderland changed their entire starting line-up from the team that faced Leeds in the Premier League on Sunday, and Bees boss Keith Andrews made eight changes to the side that started the draw at Hull.
Brentford started strongly and after visiting skipper Nathan Collins directed a free header into the arms of Ellborg, Malick Diouf’s cross was turned into the side-netting by Thiago.
Jannik Schuster’s header shortly after crashed against the bar before the rebound saw Michael Kayode direct an effort against the foot of the post too.
Ellborg also made a stunning flying save to turn Mamadou Sangare’s volley over the bar, before Sunderland made them pay for those wasted chances.
In the 26th minute Jules Ahoka’s run deep inside the visitors’ half was followed by an incisive pass to Ta Bi. His effort was half-saved by goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson but Talbi made sure from inches out as the ball trickled towards the line.
Although Thiago went close to levelling seconds later, Ivorian winger Ta Bi brilliantly created the second at the other end by beating his man and putting a chance on a plate for Tutierov to convert.
And, with six minutes remaining of the first half, the excellent Ta Bi crossed to the back post for Fofana, a £30million deadline day arrival from Lyon, to head into the roof of the net and make it 3-0.
Brentford responded quickly. Three minutes before the break Wilson pulled a goal back and the striker went close to adding a second before the half-time whistle too.
After the restart, Janelt’s long-range effort shaved the side-netting and Dango Ouattara headed wide at the far post as Brentford looked to close the gap further.
Although Thiago’s header from Mathias Jensen’s delivery eventually squirmed under Ellborg to give Sunderland a late scare, there was to be no equaliser.