Jota scores hat-trick in Brentford victory
Brentford 4 Rotherham 2
Jota’s dramatic hat-trick ensured that Brentford clinched all three points at home to rock-bottom Rotherham.
The Spanish midfielder gave the Bees an early lead, but Rotherham – who have only managed one point on their travels all season – equalised courtesy of Aymen Belaid midway through the second half.
Nico Yennaris restored the home side’s advantage and, although Millers substitute Anthony Forde made it 2-2 with a 25-yarder, Jota netted a penalty in added time and completed his treble with the last kick of the match.
Brentford’s 13th-minute opener came after Florian Jozefzoon made inroads on the left and cut the ball back delicately for Jota to rifle into the far corner.
Jozefzoon almost created a second goal soon afterwards, with Belaid turning the Dutchman’s cross against his own post, but Danny Ward went close for the visitors either side of half-time.
Rotherham equalised in the 67th minute – unfortunately coinciding with a round of applause to mark 50 years since Brentford defeated a takeover attempt by neighbours QPR – as Belaid rose to head home Stephen Kelly’s cross.
Ryan Woods set up Yennaris to restore the Bees’ advantage from close range, but it looked as if Forde had salvaged a point for Rotherham when his drive crashed past Daniel Bentley three minutes from time.
However, Jota slammed in a spot-kick after Semi Ajayi was penalised for handball – and, with the visitors throwing caution to the wind, there was still time for the Brentford star to score a fourth on the break
