Wolves come from behind twice to seal 3-2 FA Cup replay win over Premier League rivals Brentford in extra-time… with Matheus Cunha’s winner setting up fourth round clash with rivals West Brom
- Brentford took the lead twice with goals from Nathan Collins and Neal Maupay
- Wolves hit back through Nelson Semedo and Nathan Fraser to force extra time
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Matheus Cunha’s extra time penalty ensured the first Black Country derby in front of an audience in more than a decade.
The last time Wolves met West Brom, the matches were played behind closed doors in the 2020-2021 Premier League season, which was overshadowed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
But Cunha’s winner from the spot will see these great rivals go head-to-head at the Hawthorns in the fourth round of the FA Cup – their first match played in traditional conditions since Albion won 5-1 at Molineux in February 2012 .
The Bees led twice through Nathan Collins and Neal Maupay, but were put behind by goals from Nelson Semedo and 18-year-old Nathan Fraser, sending the fourth round game into extra time, as the excellent Cunha settled this replay.
This was Brentford’s last game without Ivan Toney, who will resume his career against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday after being banned for gambling offences.
Matheus Cunha’s extra-time penalty sealed victory for Wolves in the third round of the FA Cup
Cunha’s winner from the spot ensured Wolves would face West Brom in the fourth round
Academy star Nathan Fraser scored a late equalizer to send the replay into extra time
Brentford put their league battle behind them early and took the lead when former Wolves defender Collins burst in from close range after Kristoffer Ajer’s shot was saved.
Semedo leveled nine minutes before half-time when he curled in Cunha’s inviting cross at the second attempt.
The visitors regained the lead early in the second half when Maupay scored from close range and although he was initially ruled offside, the goal was given following a VAR check.
Fraser then replaced Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and three minutes after coming on, he leveled Wolves again with a sharp, angled finish.
Former Wolves defender Nathan Collins needed just 13 minutes to give the visitors the lead
Nelson Semedo was able to tap the first equalizer into an empty net in the 36th minute
Brentford took the lead for the second time when Neal Maupay found the net just after half-time
More chances were wasted at the start of extra time when both Cunha – initially marked offside – and Brentford substitute Shandon Baptiste hit the post.
Wolves were awarded a penalty at the end of the first period when substitute Pedro Neto tumbled and after a long pause Cunha sent him on to put Wolves through.