Brentford make history after shocking Newcastle to reach Carabao Cup semis
Brentford booked their place in a first ever major cup semi-final after recording a deserved 1-0 win over Newcastle in the Carabao Cup last four.
The Bees upset their higher ranked opponents thanks to Josh Dasilva’s fine second-half strike at the Brentford Community Stadium.
Premier League side Newcastle made four changes for the last-eight clash with the Championship outfit in London.
Isaac Hayden, Ryan Fraser, Jamal Lewis and Jacob Murphy came into the side, while Callum Wilson led the line once again.
Former Newcastle striker Ivan Toney, the Sky Bet Championship’s top scorer, was surprisingly named on the Brentford bench.
Wilson and Ryan Fraser forced good saves from Brentford goalkeeper Luke Daniels, while Saman Ghoddos hit the crossbar for the Bees but the first half finished goalless.
Wilson headed over at the start of the second period, as the visitors started with more intensity.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 66th minute with a superb strike from outstanding Bees midfielder Dasilva.
𝙃𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙈𝙖𝙙𝙚
We’re in our first ever major semi-final
🐝 1-0 ⚫⚪#BrentfordFC #BRENEW pic.twitter.com/Shomhu9RRz
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 22, 2020
Sergi Canos pulled a cross back into the path of Dasilva, who took it low on the volley and beat Karl Darlow with a fine effort.
Newcastle almost levelled immediately when Joelinton and Callum Wilson looked to combine, but Brentford cleared for a corner.
The home side came close to sealing the tie when Christian Norgaard’s effort was met by an instinctive save from Karl Darlow.
Steve Bruce then summoned Andy Carroll from the bench in one last throw of the dice.
In almost his first involvement he took out Sean Longstaff to get to the ball but then lashed it way over the bar.
Despite some late pressure Newcastle failed to muster a decent chance, while at the other end a fine Darlow save denied Ivan Toney on the break as the Bees made history.