Brentford 1-0 Newcastle: Josh Dasilva sends Bees into Carabao Cup semi-finals

Brentford reached the semi-final of a major tournament for the first time with a fully deserved victory over Premier League side Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup.

It was the breakthrough the Bees merited as they dominated, with Saman Ghoddos hitting the bar and Sergi Canos heading wide with the goal at his mercy in the first half.

Callum Wilson threatened briefly for visitors Newcastle but all the urgency and progressive football came from Brentford, who made six changes from their weekend win over Reading, including leaving the second tier’s top scorer Ivan Toney on the bench against his former club.

Brentford show class once more

In the surroundings of their new Brentford Community Stadium, Frank and his players demonstrated how well they have rebuilt from the bitter pain of defeat by Fulham in the Championship play-off final and the loss of key players.

Last season’s main striker, Ollie Watkins, and attacking creator, Said Benrahma, have left for Aston Villa and West Ham United respectively, but Frank still has a progressive, attractive side.

This game could have been over in the first half had Brentford taken those opportunities, but it was no more than they deserved when Dasilva finally broke the deadlock.

The Bees are back in the top four in the Championship, three points off the automatic promotion places, and are shaping up once more as serious promotion candidates.

And this was all achieved with a much-changed team. Frank insisted before Tuesday’s game that, despite the changes, Brentford had the quality and inspiration to win and no-one can begrudge them a historic victory.

More to follow.