CARABAO CUP ROUND-UP: BEES STING AND POTTERS POUNCE

Duo march on as brave Exiles bow out

- John Lyons

BRENTFORD and Stoke will fly the flag for the EFL in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals after knocking out Premier League opposition to get there.

The Bees gained a measure of revenge for their Championship play-off final defeat against Fulham by easing to a 3-0 home win against the Cottagers on Thursday night.

Marcus Forss fired in the opener on 37 minutes before the mercurial Said Benrahma struck twice in the second half to send Fulham packing.

He tucked home at the back post after the Bees worked a set-piece to make it 2-0 just after the hour mark and then conjured up a magnificent solo goal to put the game out of sight with 13 minutes left.

He cheekily back-flicked the ball through defender Michael Hector’s legs and then curled home from just outside the box.

The victory made it three Premier League scalps for the west London club in this season’s competition. They had already accounted for Southampton and West Brom.

Manager Thomas Frank couldn’t hide his delight after his players put the Bees into the quarter-finals for the first time in the club’s history.