Thomas Frank has his sights set on winning the Carabao Cup after Brentford survived an early scare to beat League One Leyton Orient 3-1 in the third round at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The Bees reached the semi-finals during their Premier League promotion campaign in 2020-21 but victory over Orient, earned in part thanks to a stunning overhead-kick equaliser from summer signing Fabio Carvalho, means it is the first time in three years that they have made it as far as the fourth round.
Brentford have never won one of English football’s major honours but having comfortably eased past their third-tier opponents despite making eight changes from the team that lost to Manchester City on Saturday, Frank said he believed he has the resources to lead his side to Wembley.
“It depends on the strength of other clubs,” he said. “It’s been 11 years in a row of one of the top six winning it, so it’s difficult. But I think we’ve got enough depth in the squad.
“We just need to be less unlucky with injuries. Right now we have eight of our first-team players (out), normally you’d have two, three or maybe four. If it was only four then no problem. If we have them available, I think we have a strong squad.
“The aim is to go as far as possible and in the best case to win it. We played with great tempo and intensity. Big respect to (Orient), they started the game well, we couldn’t get on top of the game at 1-0.”
Orient defender Brandon Cooper stunned home supporters in west London when he arrived at the far post in the 11th minute to tap home Tom James’s low cross and hand the visitors a deserved lead.
Fears of a cup shock were quickly extinguished when Frank’s stand-ins hit back via a brilliant first goal for the club scored by Carvalho, before the former Liverpool player turned provider for Mikkel Damsgaard to head in the at the back post.
On the stroke of half-time Christian Norgaard rifled a lovely finish into the corner for 3-1, then Orient captain Jack Simpson was shown a second yellow card 20 minutes from time for hauling down Kevin Schade off the ball.
The game was notable for a stand-out display on his first home start from Carvalho, who registered a goal and an assist.
“He’s taking steps in the right direction in the last five, six weeks,” said Frank.
“Very pleased with what I saw from him today. Great goal, great assist. He’s growing into what I thought he would bring to us.”
Orient boss Richie Wellens reflected on a game in which Brentford’s Premier League quality ultimately proved too much for the team currently 22nd in League One.
“First half we were very good, took the lead, but gave a couple of very poor goals away,” he said.
“The difference is when (Brentford) get to the final third their runs are explosive. With us, it was pass-pass and we slowed it down too much.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Amara Nallo Debut Bournemouth this season (LIV next) true 18 matches at once, it's just too much. Speed describing how Ronaldo smells like in his stream:"You could smell his aura. He smells like a GOAT." lol Juventus Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, trollfootball, The Football Arena, AZR Organization)...
Manchester United have plenty of business to tie up before Monday’s transfer deadline, with Patrick Dorgu closing in on a move to Old Trafford. Marcus Rashford appears to be heading for the exit after facing the wrath of Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim, while Alejandro Garnacho could also be set to depart.Chelsea are in the mix for new signings and could rival Napoli for Garnacho. The Blues are...
Marcus Rashford could be at the center of a deadline-day transfer as Manchester United have made him available. Man Utd star Rashford could be set for a deadline day move as the window comes to a closeUnited are asking for £40M for Rashford but are also open to a loan deal, per The Sun. European clubs, including Barcelona, have shown interest, but his £325,000-a-week wages have been a si...
Chelsea’s pursuit of Alejandro Garnacho could be a last-minute scramble late into the winter window – but the club have a contingency plan in place should the Blues fail to secure a Manchester United winger before the transfer deadline, according to reports.The Argentine forward could still leave Old Trafford before February 3, when the window closes, with the club willing to sell him ...
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery said he does not want Ollie Watkins to leave the club amid interest from Arsenal, but said if Jhon Durán completes his move to Al Nassr then it is "good news" for the club as it shows they are doing the right things in terms of developing players.Emery was speaking after Aston Villa secured their spot in the knockout stages of the Champions League following a 4-...
Chelsea are reportedly close to signing a new striker, Mathys Tel, who has decided to leave Bayern Munich this month. The Blues have been linked with the Frenchman, while Bayern Munich is interested in Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku. This potential deal might lead Chelsea to abandon their pursuit of Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho. Tel's decision to leave Bayern has put Chelsea on high alert ...
Manchester City are nearing a £58.7 million deal for Andrea Cambiaso this week.The Juventus full-back ruled himself out of their crucial Champions League match against Benfica. City had a £54.5 million offer rejected, with Juventus demanding £75.5 million, per The Mirror.A compromise is expected this week after Juve coach Thiago Motta revealed Cambiaso cited an ankle injury for his ...
Chelsea forward Deivid Washington is set to join Santos on loan until the end of the season. He will link up with Neymar, who is rejoining Santos from Al-Hilal. Washington, 19, joined Chelsea from Santos in 2023 but has made just three senior appearances. The loan move aims to provide him with more playing time and experience. Neymar's return to Santos is highly anticipated, as he started his care...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Are you ok ? Ange Attacker of the big EPL team Jackson , Rasford Wednesday in the Champions League: 18 games. All at once. The THREE Pillars of Real Madrid's UCL 3PEAT! CLASS ACT! Lionel Messi is FC BARCELONA! Incredible achievement. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Just toon it, BleacherReportFootball, AZR Orga...
Manchester City planned to continue their January transfer window spending spree.Pep Guardiola has not been afraid to spend this month.Manchester City's pursuit of Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso is reportedly losing momentum, despite initial interest in the player. The reigning champions had a £54.5million offer rejected, with Juventus holding out for a higher fee of £75.5million.Howe...
- 1 Kerkez and £83m ace join as Salah signs
- 2 Enzo 'trying to fix romance with childhood sweetheart'
- 3 'exciting' Betis on signing Man Utd flop
- 4 Kyle Walker’s wife in talks with ITV for HUGE reality show
- 5 Ashley Cole, wife Sharon, Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy on luxury skiing holiday
- 6 Meet Jude Bellingham's new model WAG
- 7 Atletico Madrid in talks for Arsenal Zinchenko
- 8 Napoli confirm Garnacho interest
- 9 LaLiga ace Alex Berenguer & model wife ‘have gun pointed at them’
- 10 Transfer news and rumours LIVE