Sunderland faced Brentford in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night

Sunderland swept their way into the Carabao Cup quarter final with a remarkable burst of counterattacking football that saw them score three-first half goals.

Despite changing his entire XI and watching a strong Brentford side seem to move into the ascendancy in the first half, Régis Le Bris was left with much to think about from his young forwards as they scored three goals in under fifteen minutes before the break to seize command of the tie.

Though there were strong performances all over the pitch, it was Jocelin Ta Bi who shone with a hat-trick of assists and a blistering second-half showing in which he won foul after foul to break the Brentford pressure. Though the visitors will feel the scoreline was harsh and were left to rue a string of misses in the opening exchanges, it was a mightily impressive performance from a young Sunderland XI.

Though both sides had made significant changes to their XI, Brentford looked to have the edge certainly in top-tier experience and a very strong frontline underlined the scale of the challenge for Le Bris's young side.

Their start was a very bright one, some positive play coming and going without leading to a clear chance but offering encouragement to the home crowd. Perhaps inevitably, Brentford began to take charge as the half went on and Sunderland were very fortunate to avoid falling behind when Schuster met a corner, Ellborg not getting there and left relieved that the effort didn't find the back of the net. Ellborg was nevertheless enjoying a good half, making a superb reflex stop moments later when Sangare thumped one towards goal after Alderete had made a block from Diouf. Sunderland were starting to be pushed back, but as it transpired it left them with the space they wanted on the break to cut loose. They took the lead against the run of play when Talbi brought down a long ball from a Brentford corner, setting Ahoka clear infield. He slid in Ta Bi, who did well in his weaker foot to sneak an effort past Valdimarsson despite the goalkeeping getting a hand to it. Talbi looked a little sheepish as he nudged the ball over the line from a yard out, but he had to make sure.

Wilson then fired over from a good position inside the Sunderland box and and that lack of clinical finishing would cost the visitors again as Sunderland broke forward. Ta Bi did well to get to the byline and sneak past his full back, unselfishly cutting the ball back for Tutierov who smashed into the net. Sunderland and Ta Bi were not done there, either. A good ball through the heart of the pitch from the very impressive Alan Browne at right back allowed Tutierov to round the goalkeeper, but with the angle narrowing he opted to tee up Ta Bi. The chance looked to be passing, but instead the youngster unfurled a stunning cross to the back post where Fofana headed in his first goal for the club from a few yards out.

It was a remarkable scoreline and in truth one that didn't fully reflect the balance of the game, and so it was no great surprise when Wilson forced on in off the underside of the bar not long after despite Ellborg's best efforts. The goalkeeper then made a brilliant block to deny the striker from a matter of yards, a reminder that the game was far from done despite Sunderland's impressive counterattacking.

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The second half saw an early dip in attacking output for both sides, which of course suited Sunderland just fine given the game situation. They had the first sight of goal just after the hour mark when Rigg, who had replaced Diarra at the break in what appeared to be a pre-planned change, pounced on a loose pass from Validmarsson. The midfielder was just unable to get the ball out from under his feet as quickly he’d have liked, allowing the Brentford defence to recover and block the shot. Moments later Thiago was inches away from meeting a wicked inswinging cross at the other end, a reminder that with twenty five minutes on the clock it was still all to play for.

Sunderland began to drop deeper into their defensive shape as full time neared and to their credit limited Brentford, even if they survived one big scare when Danso blocked Damsgaard’s effort from close range and O’Nien headed the follow up off the line. Generally though Brentford were struggling to open them up and were showing signs of frustration as excellent dribbling from Ta Bi drew two yellow cards and broke the pressure.

Sunderland looked in control but they did make the conclusion more nervy than it needed to be, Ellborg allowing Thiago’s header to sneak over the line. The Black Cats held on, however, to win 3-2 and secure their place in the last eight.