Brentford recorded their first away league win against Derby County in over 80 years thanks to a Saïd Benrahma brace. The Bees won 3-1 in the East Midlands to keep up the pressure on their promotion rivals.
Ollie Watkins tapped home from close range to put his side ahead early on before Derby equalised through Jason Knight. The second-half saw Brentford move up the gears and turn on the style, though. Two Saïd Benrahma goals, the first helped heavily by a goalkeeping blunder, gifted the London club their sixth straight win.
Brentford went back into third spot, ahead of local rivals Fulham, whilst Derby remain ninth, just three points outside the play-offs.
Saïd Benrahma the Star as Brentford Win Yet Again
Derby’s Early-Game Struggles Continue
It didn’t take long for Derby to go behind against the league’s most in-form side. Josh Da Silva’s inch-perfect pass broke the Rams’ defensive line – almost identical to West Bromwich Albion’s opener on Wednesday – placing Bryan Mbeumo through on goal. The Frenchman’s shot bounced off the post and Ollie Watkins was there to bundle it over the line.
It’s the fourth time in six matches that Derby have gone behind inside 15 minutes.
Despite the setback, Phillip Cocu’s side made inroads into the game as the half went on. Chris Martin struck a long-range effort that stung the hands of David Raya before the Rams went one step further. The hosts pushed up the pitch and on 28 minutes levelled the scoreline.
Jayden Bogle drilled a cross towards the penalty spot where Wayne Rooney’s quick feet allowed Jason Knight a sight at goal. The Irishman fired the ball low under Raya and into the bottom corner.
Goalkeeping Error Gifts Brentford a Boost
For all of Derby’s effort getting back into the match, it was undone just three minutes after the restart. Saïd Benrahma fizzed a shot towards Ben Hamer from the left-side of the box. The ball was heading directly towards the Huddersfield Town loanee yet, inexplicably, it managed to slide below him and into the net.
Brentford’s second goal might’ve been down to poor goalkeeping but no keeper in the footballing world would’ve stood much of a chance when Benrahma hit the Bees’ third. Cutting in from the left once more, the Algerian curled a sensational strike into the top corner on 64 minutes.
The brace puts Benrahma on 15 goals for the season, with all but one coming in 2020. He may end up playing in the Premier League next season, even if it’s not with the West London side.
Perhaps Brentford’s second goal epitomised Derby County’s season – the Rams have made great strides recently but it appears that their play-off hopes are slipping through their own fingers.
To Brentford’s credit though, they’re just the second side to put three past Derby at Pride Park all season. Thomas Frank’s side could certainly have had more had the hosts not stemmed the flow of goals.
Brentford Make it No Win in Three for Derby
Derby will feel unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty in the dying minutes of the game. Rico Henry was clumsy when jumping for a header inside the box and looked to have brought down Tom Lawrence; referee Tim Robinson deemed there to be no clear foul.
The Rams are now winless in three ahead of a play-off six-pointer with Cardiff City on Tuesday.
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