Brentford move up to fourth with comfortable victory over disappointing Reading

Brentford will spend Christmas in fourth place after a sensational performance over Reading saw them claim a 3-1 victory this afternoon.

First half goals from Mathias Jensen and Bryan Mbeumo (2) set the Bees on their way to a crucial three points over fellow promotion chasers Reading, who did find a goal in the second half through Sone Aluko who came off the bench but it all proved too little, too late for the Royals who were blown away in the first half an hour.

The result leaves Reading in eighth, out of the top six on goal difference, falling below Middlesbrough.

Both sides made two changes for the game looking to freshen things up following a busy December period, Bees’ striker Ivan Toney captained the home side.

Brentford started the game on the front foot and it took them just eleven minutes to take the lead, albeit with a large portion of fortune. Jensen the  goalscorer after some neat link up play with Sergi Canos before sending a tame strike on goal which was missed by Cabral Barbosa to send the home side in front.

The visitors responded after the goal, having a spell of dominance and the first clear-cut chance came through Thomas Holmes who attacked the ball from a free kick but Canos just about got into clear it out for a corner which was met by Liam Moore who forced David Raya into a smart save.

Just over a minute later, the Bees doubled their advantage through Mbeumo who cut in from the right before unleashing a brilliant strike into the top corner, beyond a diving Barboas to leave the visitors shell-shocked.

It took just five minutes for Brentford to add further to their advantage, as Mbeumo added his second of the afternoon to all but end the match as contest on just 23 minutes.

The Bees’ forward made a brilliant run towards the box and was picked out by Ivan Toney before a smart turn from the Frenchman and a quick finish saw the home side go into a 3-0 goal lead.

Reading’s best moment of the half came following some great skil from Michael Olise who took three players out of the game before unleashing Josh Laurent who forced Raya into a smart save which he tipped over the top.

The Bees continued to dominate and thoroughly deserved their three-goal cushion at the break.

It was Reading who created the first opening of the second half, Ovie Ejaria seeing an effort saved by Raya after he was picked out by Sam Baldock as the Royals looked to find a way back into the game.

Reading’s pressure showed just past the hour mark as second half sub, Sone Aluko reduced the gap to two goals with a header from the centre of the box, after being picked out by Michael Olise who had been a constant threat all afternoon, particularly in the second half.

There were plenty of opportunities for the home side to cause damage on the counter attack and they nearly did, they play it well to reach a four on three situation but they somehow fluff their lines as the advantage remained at two.

Just moments later, Toney was picked out in the box but he was unable to cause many problems as he headed it straight at Barbosa.

The away side continued to press for a way back into the game and nearly had it through Ejaria who worked some space well away from the home’ defence but Raya was able to make a comfortable save, but it did go back out to Aluko who sent a cross deep towards the back post in search of Holmes but he was beaten to it by Raya.

Brentford are next in action on Tuesday evening in the Carabao Cup quarter finals at home to Newcastle United while the Royals host Luton Town on Boxing Day.

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