Sunderland return to winning ways to progress in Carabao Cup

Sunderland progressed to the last eight of the Carabao Cup with a 3-2 win over Brentford.

The Black Cats were three up after 40 minutes, and even though Brentford then scored before the interval, and right at the death, Sunderland always looked to have the game won once ahead.

The win is an important one for Sunderland, who had not tasted victory since their win over AZ Alkmaar back in September.

Despite Brentford’s bright start, which included a number of moments that could have easily seen them go ahead, it was Sunderland who then raced into a three-goal lead.

They were provided by a hat-trick of assists from Jocelin Ta Bi, although the young winger was unlucky not to have netted the first himself.

His goal bound shot was trickling towards the line despite the best efforts of Brentford stopper Hákon Valdimarsson, but Chemsdine Talbi took the ball across the line.

Sunderland’s second was finished off in the box by Timur Tutierov, who latched onto Ta Bi’s cutback. Malick Fofana added the third, heading home Ta Bi’s cross at the back post.

Brentford were unsurprisingly stunned. However, they kept going, and reduced the deficit thanks to Callum Wilson just before the break.

Wilson’s goal was met with boos from the home fans, given his Newcastle connections.

Sunderland were mostly happy to defend what they had, and even with Igor Thiago pulling another goal back late on, the Bees could not prevent defeat.