Brentford B 5 West Bromwich Albion Under-21s 1: Morgan and Boni score braces as Bees rise to top spot in Premier League Cup | OneFootball

Brentford B secured a strong 5–1 win over West Bromwich Albion Under-21s on Monday evening in the Premier League Cup, with Iwan Morgan and Michel Boni both scoring braces in a dominant team display.

The victory moves the young Bees top of Group E, with Kyrie Pierre contributing the fifth goal to strengthen their position and boost their chances of reaching the knockout stages as they head into the final fixture of the group campaign.

The home side began brightly and created their first opening inside two minutes when Caelan Avenell met an in-swinging delivery, but his effort trickled wide of the post.

Despite the positive start, it was the away team who took the lead as Noah Dupont headed in from close range to give his side the lead.

Brentford remained the side on top of proceedings and there were two opportunities as Boni was almost found in the six-yard-box on both occasions but good defending prevented the striker clear sights of goal.

The positivity remained from the west Londoners and they were rewarded as Josh Stephenson went on a marauding run and then found an unmarked Boni who converted to level the scores.

Sam Saunders' side soon found themselves ahead as the mounting pressure on the Baggies' goal told with Morgan picking up a loose ball in the box and finding the net with a composed finish in the box.

There was enough time for Morgan to grab a second on the stroke of the half-time whistle as he struck from the edge of the box with a low left-footed effort which took a slight deflection on the way to the goal.

Brentford continued their dominance into the second period and a fourth goal was scored as Boni was found in the box again, unmarked and he set himself before calmly slotting past Brady.

Despite how comfortable the Bees were, Reggie Rose still had to be alert as he tipped over a firm header from Jamal Mohammed.

Second-half substitute Miller McDonald should have added a second for the away side as he headed onto the crossbar and then with Rose stranded he put the ball wide on the rebound with the goal gaping.

Kyrie Pierre added gloss to the scoreline as the second-half substitute powered a shot from distance past Brady into the bottom corner of the net.

That is how the game would end as Saunders' side were impressive from start to finish.

Brentford’s victory moves them top of Group E on nine points, climbing above West Brom despite having played a game more, nevertheless, they are a step closer to qualifying to the next stage of the competition.

Brentford Under-21s are next in action when they face Luton Town Under-21s in their final PL Cup group game on Sunday 14 December at Wheatsheaf Park. Tickets are available here.

Brentford: Rose, McKnight, McManus (Picotto 80), Stephenson, Avenell (Headman 62), Grey, Shield, Bentt, Boni (Mawene 80), Morgan (Pierre 46), Holland (Olakigbe 62)

Booked: Stephenson 15, Grey 45+4

WBA: Brady, Nelson, Humphries, Mfuamba (Gompe 72), Dupont (Perkins 72), Mohammed, Ntege (McDonald 58), Amihere, Okorodudu (McNeil 58), Colesby, Parker (Maughan 57)

Booked: Ntege 45+2, Dupont 67

Saunders reacts on an impressive performance against West Bromwich Albion

Brentford Under-21s head coach Sam Saunders reflected on his side's dominant 5-1 win over West Bromwich Albion at Wheatsheaf Park

“We always knew that we would have the advantage playing on our home surface and the boys showed that today,” Saunders said. “We were clinical, we took our chances, and we controlled large parts of the game. When we play with that intensity and confidence, we’re a difficult team to stop.”

Saunders also highlighted the continued development of Luka Bentt and Michel Boni, two players who have stepped up consistently and demonstrated the strength of the club’s pathway.

“Luka and Michel are great examples of what we want our academy to represent,” he added. “They’ve both pushed themselves to play up levels, and they don’t look out of place for a second. Their willingness to work, to learn, and to test themselves against older, more experienced players is huge. It shows the depth of talent we have coming through and the standards they’re setting for others.”

Saunders said performances like this underline what the academy is building toward.

“It’s not just about the result, though of course a win like today helps,” he continued. “It’s about development, about giving these boys challenges and watching them rise to them. Luka, Michel, and several others are showing exactly why we believe in our model.”