Brentford through on penalties against Sheffield Wednesday

Mark Flekken was Brentford’s hero as the Premier League side needed penalties to see off stubborn Sheffield Wednesday and reach the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

The Bees looked to be cruising into the last eight after taking the lead through Kevin Schade and bossing a one-sided first half.

But Championship Wednesday levelled shortly before the hour with their first effort on target through Djeidi Gassama’s spectacular strike.

Brentford could not find a winner in normal time but Dutch keeper Flekken saved Liam Palmer’s penalty to send the hosts through 5-4 after a 1-1 draw.

Thomas Frank clearly fancies a run in this competition and with at least five Premier League sides to be knocked out on Wednesday night, Brentford could yet better their march to the semi-finals in 2021 and maybe even grab a first piece of major silverware in the club’s history.

By contrast, Wednesday boss Danny Rohl’s priorities lie with the Championship as he made nine changes, but they still gave Brentford a fright.

Brentford’s fast starters duly went ahead after 10 minutes when Keane Lewis-Potter’s neat flick over the top found Schade, who sped away from defender Gabriel Otegbayo towards goal.

Finishing has not been the German’s strong point since he joined the Bees in January 2023, and Owls keeper Pierce Charles came out to block his initial effort.

However, the ball ricocheted off Charles and hit Otegbayo to leave Schade with a simple tap-in for his first goal of the season, and only his third for the club.

Charles was at full stretch to prevent a second 10 minutes later when Bryan Mbeumo’s cross found Lewis-Potter, whose effort looped up and almost crept in under the crossbar.

Wednesday had barely registered a shot in anger, but from nowhere they hauled themselves level 12 minutes into the second half.

Flekken hurled the ball out to the galloping Schade near the centre circle only for the forward to lose his footing.

Gassama intercepted up the loose ball, sauntered forward and, with no one closing him down, launched a low rocket into the corner from 25 yards.

Back came Brentford with Mbeumo forcing a fine save from Charles from long range and Schade just failing to get a touch on Jayden Meghoma’s ball across goal.

However, neither side could force a winner and, after nine successful spot-kicks, Flekken dived to his right to beat away Palmer’s effort and send the Bees through.