Sunderland injury scares for Omar Alderete and Jocelin Ta Bi as Callum Wilson gets hostile reception
The moments you might have missed from Sunderland’s Carabao Cup clash with Brentford at the Stadium of Light
Sunderland turned their attention to the Carabao Cup when they welcomed Brentford to the Stadium of Light with a quarter-final place at stake.
Régis Le Bris’ side headed into the fourth-round tie following Sunday’s goalless draw with Leeds United, which ended a run of four successive Premier League defeats. An improved defensive display offered encouragement after a difficult spell in the league.
Brentford had also drawn at the weekend, sharing the points with Hull City, while September’s meeting between the Bees and Sunderland had finished 1-1 in west London. Sunderland went into the tie with 10 wins, five draws and seven defeats from the clubs’ previous 22 meetings.
Here, we picked out some of the moments you might have missed before, during and after the game:
Le Bris makes 11 changes as Meunier returns
Régis Le Bris made 11 changes against Brentford, with Saturday's Premier League trip to Coventry City clearly influencing his selection. Kevin Danso returned from suspension to captain the side, with Luke O'Nien on the bench and seemingly in pole position to start at Coventry. Alan Browne made his first start of the season at right-back, with Jules Ahoka and Habib Diarra in midfield and Chemsdine Talbi playing behind the striker, as he did against Hull City.
Thomas Meunier returned from a hamstring injury, with Sunderland hoping to give him second-half minutes ahead of Coventry. Wilson Isidor remained absent with a knock, although Le Bris has suggested he could return this weekend. Most senior players were rested entirely, with O'Nien and Chris Rigg providing bench cover alongside several under-21s. One surprise was Juan Riquelme's omission, having played 45 minutes in Monday's under-21 defeat to Newcastle United.
Former Newcastle striker receives hostile reception
Brentford named a strong side for their Carabao Cup fourth-round clash, with former Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson leading the line for the visitors. The former England international was roundly booed by the Sunderland supporters in attendance, with his Newcastle connections ensuring a hostile reception at the Stadium of Light.
Sepp van den Berg was also named among Brentford's substitutes. The defender had previously been very loosely linked with Sunderland back in 2021, the same year the Black Cats last reached the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. On that occasion, Lee Johnson's League One side were beaten 5-1 by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, ending an impressive cup run.
Sunderland's crazy first half as Talbi and Ta Bi share Spider-Man moment
Talbi opened the scoring for Sunderland in the 27th minute following superb work from Ahoka, who played in Ta Bi. The winger's effort looked destined for the net before Talbi tapped home on the line to make absolutely sure, in a moment slightly reminiscent of David Nugent famously pinching Jermain Defoe's England goal against Andorra.
There was a funny exchange afterwards as Talbi and Ta Bi laughed and pointed at each other, recreating the famous Spider-Man meme. Just 90 seconds later, Sunderland doubled their lead when Ta Bi played in Tutierov, who finished confidently to add to his goal against Lech Poznań in the Europa League last week.
The remarkable first half continued when Fofana headed home his first Sunderland goal from another Ta Bi cross, completing an extraordinary attacking contribution from the youngster. Former Newcastle United striker Wilson pulled one back for Brentford before the interval, leaving Sunderland 3-1 ahead at half-time. An unexpected and frankly rather bonkers opening 45 minutes on Wearside.
Diarra managed as Alderete sparks injury concern
Rigg replaced Diarra at half-time in what appeared to be a planned substitution, with Sunderland continuing to manage the midfielder's minutes following his recent return from injury. There was a brief injury scare in the 55th minute when Alderete went down after taking an arm to the face. Luke O'Nien was sent to warm up, although the Paraguayan defender recovered and initially returned to the pitch.
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However, Alderete was eventually withdrawn in the 59th minute alongside Timur Tutierov, with O'Nien and Meunier introduced. The latter's appearance marked his return from a hamstring injury and provided another welcome boost ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to Coventry City. The switch meant that Talbi was deployed as Sunderland’s number nine. Former Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson was also substituted at the same time, receiving another chorus of boos from the Sunderland supporters as he left the field.
Ta Bi injury scare as youngsters get their chance
There was a brief injury concern for Sunderland in the 68th minute when Jocelin Ta Bi took a boot to the head and went down. The youngster remained on the turf for a few moments but was fortunately able to continue. Régis Le Bris made another change in the 80th minute, introducing Tom Proctor in place of goalscorer Chemsdine Talbi, while fellow youngster Felix Scott was also handed his senior debut during the closing stages. Sunderland produced a largely solid defensive display in the second half, although a late Brentford goal set up a nervy finish. The Black Cats held on for a 3-2 victory, securing their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.