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QPR U21s 3-1 Brentford B: R's crowned Premier League Cup champions after west London derby triumph

QPR secure their maiden Premier League Cup triumph after beating west London rivals Brentford B 3-1 at Loftus Road on Thursday night.

The hosts were quick to take the lead in the 8th-minute as Kieran Morgan capitalised on an unconvincing clearance by Julian Eyestone by firing in from outside the area.

Brentford's Benjamin Arthur levelled the score minute later with a towering header before Harry Murphy put his side back in front before half-time with a sublime volley.

Paul Furlong's side secured the win second-half stoppage time with a towering header of their own, this time through Alex Wilkie from close range before emotional celebrations ensued.

QPR become the seventh consecutive team to win the competition on their own turf since the format was changed in 2016.

Story of the Game

Loftus Road provided an atmosphere fitting of the occasion as 9,000 supporters showed up to add to an already eye-catching final.

The hosts wasted no time in taking the lead. Eyestone's clearance in the 9th-minute was under hit and immediately punished as Morgan's strike from outside of the area flew into the bottom corner.

Brentford were quick to equalise and did so in the 14th-minute. Ethan Brierley's in-swinging corner was met by Arthur in the six-yard box, with the centre-back powering a header into the net.

Arthur was soon back into things and would have had a second if it was not for a sublime near-post save by Matteo Salamon; the 'keeper then reacted brilliant to stop Max Dickov's rebound.

Jaiden Putman, a constant outlet on the right, had a chance to score midway through the first half after receiving a threaded pass inside the area, but scuffed his shot unopposed.

Brentford were starting to push for a lead but found themselves behind in the 42nd-minute. Eyestone did well to punch out the initial corner but could do nothing as Murphy volleyed in from the edge of the area.

It proved a tale of the full-backs as the game went on. Brentford's - centre-backs by trad - offered little dynamism in attack, while QPR's Putman and Esquerdinha were a constant threat out wide.

Brentford started the second half poorly and were so nearly punished. Arthur's indecision allowed Kieran Petrie a shot on goal; Eyestone did well to slow the ball's momentum before Fredrick stopped the ball on the line.

Neil MacFarlane's side struggled to build momentum, owing to a poor control in midfield and conceding unnecessary fouls, with QPR the much-better side in the middle third.

Morgan had a huge chance to level the score in the 71st-minute. Stephenson did brilliantly down the left to set him up inside the area. Nine times out ten he scores, this time he skewed it wide of the post.

Yogane provided a huge threat down the left as the Young Bees sought out an equaliser. However, his crosses were being dealt with by Salamon and the defence.

The R's secured the win in the 91st-minute as centre-back Wilkie headed in a delightful in-swinging cross by Murphy to put the game out of sight.

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