Benrahma scores hat-trick as brilliant Bees thrash Hull
Brentford 5 Hull 1
Said Benrahma scored a hat-trick in an emphatic Brentford victory.
After a slow start where the Bees conceded the opening goal, with Hull striker Frazier Campbell heading home, Thomas Frank’s men found the familiar pace and rhythm they have become accustomed to in the Championship at Griffin Park.
The Tigers were hit by a triple first-half salvo with an equaliser by Kamohelo Mokotjo and a double from Benrahma.
Shortly after the break, Neal Maupay netted his 22nd goal of the season, reflecting the wave of Bees confidence.
Benrahma helped himself to a third in the latter stages, crowning a marvellous afternoon.
Hull, who had recovered well after a dismal start to their Championship campaign, asserted themselves early on.
Nevertheless, this was not, as it turned out, a hint of things to come.
The Bees, who had won their previous four league games at home, were aiming to re-grow, following their FA Cup fifth-round exit away to Swansea City last Sunday.
Yet Frank’s side struggled with the kind of passing rhythm they have habitually enjoyed in the majority of Griffin Park encounters so far this season.
This lack of zest and midfield bite in particular was leaving Brentford open to regular threats – and it was no surprise when Hull punished them for their lethargy after 23 minutes.
The Tigers’ busy winger Kamil Grosicki clipped in a cross from the left-hand side and Campbell rose impressively to power a header home from six yards, giving keeper Daniel Bentley no chance.
The goal somewhat inexplicably sparked the hosts into life and, as we have come to expect at Griffin Park this season, drama was not far away.
Just five minutes later Brentford grabbed a scarcely-deserved leveller. Benrahma set up Mokotjo on the edge of the penalty area and the industrious midfielder slotted home with Hull keeper David Marshall perhaps slightly unsighted.
Confidence finally renewed, Brentford added their second – and a quite superb goal it was too.
In the 32nd minute, Benrahma had his turn at matters, picking up possession just inside the area, twisting and turning subtly past Robbie McKenzie before supplying the most delightful of curled right-footed efforts into helpless Marshall’s top left-hand corner.
Brentford were not in the mood for over-elaboration and, remarkably, added a third three minutes from the interval.
Benrahma and Sergi Canos have so often combined well this season and the former was delighted to receive a neat pass from the Spanish star before delivering a cool finish, leaving Hull absolutely stunned.
The Tigers replaced injured Marshall with substitute goalkeeper George Long at half-time – but it had no effect against the rampant Bees.
With Hull disorganised, Ollie Watkins broke away on the right before, firstly, a shot which was blocked and then an instinctive header across the six-yard box for Maupay to finish off.
Brentford were irrepressible, causing havoc throughout the second half. And they managed to add to the visitors’ misery with Benrahma deftly chipping Long from an acute angle in the 81st minute.
Such effortless quality precisely mirrored the Bees vibrancy, leaving the home fans delighted once again.
