by Brentford beat Sheffield Wednesday 5-4 on penalties to reach the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken saved Liam Palmer’s penalty – the only missed penalty in the shootout – to prevent an upset against the Championship side after the game ended 1-1.
The Premier League team took the lead through Kevin Schade’s 11th-minute goal and were completely dominant in the first half at the Gtech Community Stadium.
But Wednesday, who made nine changes from Portsmouth’s Championship win, upped their game in the second half and equalized in the 57th minute after a fine long-range shot from Djeidi Gassama – their first shot on target.
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Djeidi Gassama scored Sheffield’s equalizer against Brentford on Wednesday
The equalizer livened up the game as both sides forced saves from the goalkeepers, but no winner could be found in normal time.
After the first nine penalties had been taken, Palmer stepped up and took the penalty that finally put the game in the balance, but Flekken made the save to give the hosts the lead.
Flekken makes up for “unnecessary mistake” with heroics in penalty shootout
Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken was the home team’s hero
Flekken may have been Brentford’s hero in the shootout but he admitted he was to blame in the second half on Wednesday.
The Dutchman tried to start Brentford’s counterattack with a throw after a corner, but he sold Schade too short and Gassama then intercepted and scored.
“The moment I caught the corner kick I had so many options but I chose the wrong one,” he said Sky Sports.
“The mistake I made really contributed to weakening our mental side. He took away the control we had and then a controlled game turned into an open game.”
“It was completely unnecessary. I picked the wrong guy to pass the ball to and I have to learn from that.”
But then Flekken managed to save the penalty that secured Brentford’s place in the last eight.
He said: “In the beginning I got on the wrong side twice.” [of the shoot-out]. That doesn’t help with confidence in a gunfight, but luckily I saved the last gunfight.
“It’s not the first and only mistake I’ve made in my career. I’m 31 now and have a lot of experience, which helps a lot when dealing with a mistake like that.”
Frank: We didn’t have any recklessness to destroy the game
Brentford Head coach Thomas Frank speak with Sky Sports:
“First and foremost, I’m happy that we made it to the next round.
“We were very good in the first half, but the only small criticism is that we weren’t two ahead and didn’t show the ruthlessness to finish the game.”
“We started the second half well and their goal came out of nowhere which changed the momentum.”
“It was disappointing that we didn’t get more out of it and then it went to penalties and we thank the players for staying focused, cool and executing the plan.”
Rohl: I consider it a victory
Sheffield Wednesday manager Danny Rohl speak with Sky Sports:
“I consider it a victory. To come here and show a real fight.”
“We got the equalizer and after 90 minutes a draw here is a fantastic result, then it’s 50/50 in the shootout.”
“It was a top-class shootout for both teams.
“All in all, I take a lot of positive things with me. That’s the performance we need in the league to get more points, but today I’m proud of my team.”
