Watkins double, Benrahma penalty secures Brentford victory in West London derby

A second-half penalty from Said Benrahma and a double from Ollie Watkins ensured Brentford claimed bragging rights in the West London derby.

Brentford started the brighter of the two, exploiting the pace of Bryan Mbeumo down the right-hand side early on.

Said Benrahma beat the offside trap on four minutes and looked to cross in a promising position for the Bees, the Algerian ballooning his cross into the stands when searching for Ollie Watkins.

Bright Osayi-Samuel provided the home side’s first chance of the evening when running at the Brentford defence but the winger struck a tame shot at David Raya.

The first clear cut chance arrived on 15 minutes. After superbly evading pressure, Josh Dasilva rolled through Mbeumo whose first time effort was well saved by Liam Kelly before Ollie Watkins header was claimed comfortably from the rebound.

A superb skill from the ever-impressive Ebere Eze threatened to create an opportunity, the London-born player behind most of Queen Park Rangers’ attacking intent.

The opener arrived on 23 minutes through Ollie Watkins.

After Christian Norgaard broke through the midfield lines, the ball was played wide to Mbeumo. The Frenchman stood up an inviting ball for Watkins to attack which the 23-year-old duly did by heading past Kelly in the QPR goal.

Mbeumo almost combined with Watkins again for Brentford, only the boot of Toni Leistner preventing the second after a swift Bees breakaway.

Benrahma challenged Eze for skill of the night as we approached half-time, the winger back heeling the ball through the legs of a helpless Toni Leistner.

The away side took a slender lead in at the break with Mark Warburton needing a reaction from his QPR players in the second-half.

A brilliant save from Raya denied Nahki Wells an equaliser on 47 minutes. An Eze delivery was met by the Bermuda international which needed a full stretch save from the Spaniard Raya to deny the leveller.

The resulting corner had a different result however. This time Eze’s cross was met by captain Grant Hall, who rose highest power to a header past Raya and restore parity in W12.

Benrahma curled wide from range moments later, Liam Kelly happy to see the ball fly past his left post.

The home crowd were now alive, fuelled by the constant battle between Rico Henry and Bright Osayi-Samuel down QPR’s right.

On 58 minutes, Brentford were awarded a penalty after a challenge on Mbeumo by Josh Scowen.

Replays showed the decision looked a harsh one but it was Said Benrahma to take, the Algerian striking a superb penalty into the top right corner to restore the visitors’ lead.

A save from Kelly denied Benrahma another on 62 minutes as Brentford’s front three threatened to run away with the game.

Mbeumo and Dasilva had efforts thwarted on the break, the Bees looking the more likely to score next.

A lung-busting run from Ilias Chair presented an opportunity to Wells when Brentford failed to clear but the 29-year-old failed to get a shot away.

As QPR risked more bodies forward in search for an equaliser, Brentford profited on the counter, Watkins coming close to his second with a well-struck volley.

With ten minutes left to play, clever work from Ryan Manning and Eze allowed Chair to find room on the edge of the box but his shot was held by Raya.

A Manning free-kick was spilt by Bees ‘keeper Raya who would have been thankful the ball fell to a black shirt to save his blushes.

Only injury time remained in West London as Brentford appeared to be claiming all three points to follow up their impressive win at Swansea last time out.

A mistake by Pontus Jansson had the home faithful protesting for a penalty but referee Andy Woolmer waved away appeals.

Brentford completed the victory deep into injury time when Mathias Jensen broke down the right, laid the ball across for Watkins, who tapped home to secure victory and send their travelling fans into raptures.