McEachran stretchered off in win at Hillsborough
Sheffield Wednesday 1 Brentford 2
Centre-backs John Egan and Harlee Dean both scored to give Brentford victory at Hillsborough, though it was somewhat marred by another injury to Josh McEachran.
Midfielder McEachran was stretchered off in added-time at the end of the first half after a collision, with the physios from both sides required to treat him.
Egan, restored to the starting line-up, had put the Bees ahead on 34 minutes, meeting Ryan Woods’ free-kick and guiding a header over Sheffield Wednesday keeper Keiren Westwood.
Dean grabbed the second shortly before McEachran’s injury, with a firm header from Jota’s corner just after the Spaniard had seen an effort blocked by the legs of Westwood.
Wednesday started the second half well, with half-chances for Fernando Forestieri and ex-Chelsea man Sam Hutchinson, but it wasn’t until late in the game that they upped the ante.
Jota cleared off the line from Jordan Rhodes, Steven Fletcher’s follow-up hit the woodwork and Brentford keeper Daniel Bentley saved from Ross Wallace, Sam Winnall and Forestieri, all in the dying moments.
The excellent Bentley was finally beaten shortly before the end, as Forestieri fired in from just outside the box, but the Bees held out for an impressive victory.
Despite the McEachran concerns, there was one boost for Brentford. Rico Henry made his long-awaited debut having been out for six months with a shoulder injury, and put in a solid shift before being replaced after 86 minutes.
Brentford: Bentley; Colin, Dean, Egan, Henry (Field 86); McEachran (Kerschbaumer 45), Yennaris, Woods; Jota, Sawyers, Canos (Jozefzoon 63).
Subs not used: Bonham, Clarke, Bjelland, Shaibu.