Brentford U21s 5 Sunderland U21s 1: Furo hat-trick and Carvalho on scoresheet as Bees win on PL2 home debut | OneFootball

Kay Furo was in scintillating form bagging a hat-trick as Brentford Under-21s maintained their impressive start to the 2026/27 season with a 5-1 victory over Sunderland Under-21s in their first Premier League 2 home fixture at Wheatsheaf Park.

Furo also provided the assist for Fábio Carvalho’s goal and Riley Owen scored the fifth, in a game which saw first-team players Benjamin Fredrick, Ji-soo Kim, Gustavo Nunes and Josh Dasilva feature for Sam Saunders’ side.

It was a blistering start from the home side as Riley Owen picked up possession and, inside the first minute, slid the ball through to Furo. The striker showed composure to take the ball around the goalkeeper before slotting into the empty net to give his side the lead.

Nunes was next to go close as he attempted a delightful chip which beat the goalkeeper but clipped the top of the crossbar.

Sunderland had chances of their own, with Trey Ogunsuyi firing a volley from inside the box which Reggie Rose stretched low to his corner to tip around the post.

Minutes later, a fine move from the visitors on the edge of the box saw Jack Whittaker break into the area with the ball, but with only the goalkeeper to beat, he dragged his shot wide.

On 33 minutes, Furo could have had his second of the game as he was found by Owen once again, but this time his effort flew over the bar.

Ogunsuyi tested Rose again as he swivelled inside the box and struck a shot on target, but the goalkeeper got down well to hold onto the ball.

Just before the half-time whistle, Furo powered through on goal in similar fashion to his first goal after being played through by Rose, but on this occasion he skewed his left-footed effort wide.

Sam Saunders' side began the second period with an increased tempo, as Nunes and Owen had chances to score but they sent their efforts wide from close range.

The deserved second came on 52 minutes as Furo picked up a loose ball before calmly playing Carvalho through, with the midfielder slotting the ball past Joe Cowan.

The young Black Cats halved the deficit when Charlie Dinsdale sent a cross into the area which deflected off Rose and into the net, with the goalkeeper unable to keep the ball out.

Despite the setback, the home side restored their two-goal advantage, with Furo grabbing his second as he found himself well placed to volley Nunes' corner into the net.

Second-half substitute James Barker almost made an immediate impact for Sunderland as his first effort after coming on struck the post with Rose beaten.

Furo completed his hat-trick firing low and hard past Cowan from just inside the area with a fantastic finish.

There was still time for a fifth as Owen who had been energetic throughout the game broke clear and found the finish to match his powerful run into the box leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.

Brentford would take home the three points as the Bees march on in the PL2.

Brentford now turn their attention to their second Premier League Cup game where they travel away to take on Hull City on Tuesday 8 September.

Brentford U21s: Rose, Fredrick (Shield 46), Picotto (Wheeler-Henry 46), O'Connor (Klimas 78), Ji-soo, Grey, Nunes, Owen, Furo, Dasilva (Holland 26), Carvalho (Wilson 78)

Subs not used: Wolfheimer, Boni

Booked: Nunes 45, Rose 90+2

Sunderland U21s: Cowan, Jones (Holcroft 61), Lightfoot, Whittaker, Neild (Bell 61), Kindon, Dinsdale (Barker 81), Munyakazi (Hester 61), Ogunsuyi, Proctor, Jones (Scorer 81)

Subs not used: Metcalf, Scott

Booked: Jones 63, Bell 90+4

Saunders: Attitude and work ethic were spot on

Brentford Under-21s head coach Sam Saunders reflected on the attitude, discipline and attacking threat shown by his side in their 5-1 victory over Sunderland Under-21s in Premier League 2.

"The attitude, the desire and the work ethic from the players were top. We knew we had to find solutions to their aggressive press, and I thought Kaye was outstanding. The players who played around him managed the game really well, and the longer the game went on, the more open it became for our attacking players.

"Yes, we could have taken more of our chances, but we did switch off in some small moments. Even though we were in control, we could have been more decisive in those key moments. We have to remain committed and focused for the full duration of the game, because the more they tired, the more opportunities we had to score.

"The minimum we ask is that the players work hard and are good people, and the players who came off the bench and did well are a testament to that, as are the players who didn't make the squad. It shows the strength we have within the group and the collectiveness of the team. There was no sulking; they just got their heads down and worked hard."