Talbi 26', Tuterov 29', Fofana 39'

Wilson 42', Thiago 90+4'

• Jocelin Ta Bi lifts the attack

The Ivorian winger grabbed three assists as he played brilliantly in that right wing role last night. In terms of work ethic and his skill he finally highlighted what he can bring to the side with no player really cementing that spot out wide.

He wreaked havoc among the Brentford defence and was a nightmare especially for £40m left-back Malick Diouf on that side. The first assist came after Bi thought he had scored his first Sunderland goal. However, Chemsdine Talbi put it over the line to make sure it was 1-0.

His second assist of the night came after a great bit of trickery came off to put a ball into Timur Tutierov who slotted it home to make it two. Finally, the 21-year-olds third assist came after a brilliant cross found Malick Fofana at the back post who headed in to make it 3-0 to the home side.

Hopefully, this allows Ta Bi to kick on following his move from Israeli Premier League side Maccabi Netanya, for a reported £3m pounds fee in January. Performances as strong as last night will give him more confidence to really display what he is all about.

• Malick Fofana off the mark

As mentioned before, Fofana opened his account in red and white colours after a free header at the back post after poor defending from Brentford.

After the deadline day kamikaze the Belgian international joined from French giants Lyon for a club record fee for reportedly £30.8m pounds he has shown glimpses as to what he can do but not fully displayed what he can do yet. Fofana has played 116 minutes so far and nine games domestically in all competitions but has not set the world alight so far.

Although, there has been lot of expectation has followed him after the transfer hopefully this goal can kick start a sign of positive things to come for the winger. It was Fofana's best performance last night for Sunderland who worked his socks off up and down the left-hand side, along with drawing in fouls with his skill to help the team progress up the pitch.

• Strong defensive unit

After the calamitous showing at Bournemouth the other week with Kevin Danso and Omar Alderete showed themselves up in a much better manner even though we conceded two goals last night.

Danso, who captained the home side last night, won every header and cleared every ball when needed putting in a real captain's performance. Alongside this, the Austrian international played a good ball into Ta Bi in the build-up of Tutierov's goal.

Alderete highlighted the version of himself from last season with his calmness on the ball, and making some crucial blocks which helped keep Sunderland in the game after Brentford's strong attack created plenty of chances at goal. Also, the Paraguayan was able to keep up with the pace of the game quite well before being replaced by Luke O'nien.

O'nien made a vital defensive clearance towards the end, with this it followed his great appearances as of late. Dayann Methalie proved solid once again at left back, displaying physicality and good defensive work rate with rarely being beaten by his man.

Also, Alan Browne who proved his worth even out of position, in at right back after barely featuring put in a great shift all round. He had a contributing with the third goal with a great through ball to Tutierov.

• Real chance of silverware?

Sunderland were drawn away to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park marking their first quarter-final appearance since December 2021 under Lee Johnson, after a 5-1 defeat away at Arsenal when the club was in League One.

With the draw being Pierre Sage's side who are also struggling in the Premier League, it isn't the worst draw in the world for the Black Cats to possibly advance into the semi-finals for the first time since the famous cup run in 2014. However, a tight schedule will follow Le Bris' men with nine games in 29 days in the build-up to Christmas, it will be even tighter with a double header against fellow opposition Crystal Palace.

With any luck, if they do advance it would be a great feat and means that the club could possibly gain silverware for the first time since their famous FA Cup win in 1973.