Brentford secured their first home Championship victory of the season with an emphatic display at Griffin Park.
A goal from winger Bryan Mbuemo and a brace by Ollie Watkins blew away lacklustre Derby County, in what will be viewed as a particularly welcome three points by Bees manager Thomas Frank after a number of frustrating games. This was an afternoon where the best of the hosts was on offer.
The Bees, determined to contrive a cutting edge which was lacking in last week’s narrow defeat at Charlton, started brightly and Sergi Canos drew a good save from Derby keeper Kelle Roos with an 18 yard shot.
Frank’s men didn’t have to wait long, however, when they caught Derby cold with two quick fire goals to settle the home support. In the 17th minute, Mbuemo netted his first goal in Brentford colours. The Frenchman was on hand to force the ball home from around six yards out after Watkins’ drive was hurriedly cleared off the line.
And just a minute later the Bees doubled their advantage. Buzzy Watkins combined with Mbuemo once again, only this time it was the striker who was assisted from the right, driving the ball home after a lengthy run, with the Rams failing to match him for pace. A classic, Brentford-style manoeuvre.
Derby looked shaken with Roos palming away a fierce, angled Said Benrahma effort, Brentford determined to all but end the contest before the interval.
And the west Londoners did exactly that, courtesy of Watkins’ second in 44 minutes. The confident Bee helped himself from six yards, shooting into the far corner after the Rams failed to clear a corner.
Derby did fashion a reasonable chance when Tom Lawrence stepped forward to fire inches wide from 25 yards with Phillip Cocu’s men desperately trying to revive themselves. Yet Richard Keogh had to make a keen block from a Watkins goal bound shot following superb work rate by Mbuemo.
The Rams pressed Brentford on occasion without really threatening. And, ultimately, this was a fully deserved win ahead of the Bees’ next outing, away to Preston North End.
This post was last modified on 02/09/2019