Thiago scores two more as Brentford go fifth

Brentford 3
Thiago (30′, 65′)
Yarmoliuk (73′)

Sunderland 0

Igor Thiago scored two more goals, taking his Premier League tally this season to 16, as Brentford moved up to fifth in the table. 

Thiago opened the scoring in the first half and struck again midway through the second – after keeper Caoimhín Kelleher had embarrassed Enzo Le Fée by gathering the Sunderland midfielder’s woeful attempt at a ‘Panenka’ penalty.

Yehor Yarmoliuk added a third for Brentford – his first goal for the club – and they are now unbeaten in six matches. That run has included four wins, and this victory left them just a point behind fourth-placed Liverpool, who are away to leaders Arsenal on Thursday.

And Thiago has scored five goals in two matches, having netted a hat-trick in Saturday’s win at Everton.

The Brazilian striker was set up for the opener by Vitaly Janelt’s defence-splitting pass. Thiago finished coolly after rounding keeper Robin Roefs.

Keane Lewis-Potter went close to doubling the lead shortly before half-time when his dipping free-kick clipped the top of the bar.

Sunderland were better after the interval and were given a penalty when Brian Brobbey was fouled by Kristoffer Ajer.

Le Fée cheekily tried to dink his spot-kick down the middle, banking on Kelleher diving, but the keeper simply stood up and caught the ball.

Brentford ruthlessly punished that gaffe, with Kevin Schade shooting against the post after being set up by Thiago, who moments later made it 2-0 after being teed by Schade’s header, before Yarmoliuk fired home after Sunderland failed to clear a corner.

Brentford: Kelleher; Kayode (Hickey 82), Ajer, Collins, Henry; Janelt, Jensen (Henderson 76), Yarmoliuk; Schade, Thiago (Nelson 82), Lewis-Potter (Damsgaard 61).
Subs not used: Valdimarsson, Van den Berg, Pinnock, Peart-Harris, Donovan.