Fabio Carvalho Scores as Brentford Beat Reading 2-1

Brentford are through to the fourth round after a 2-1 win at Reading, with Fabio Carvalho scoring on his return from a cruciate ligament injury.

The visitors struck twice before the interval at the Select Car Leasing Stadium. Callum Wilson scored inside the opening three minutes, then Carvalho finished in added time at the end of the first half.

Quick facts

Brentford won 2-1 away at Reading to reach the fourth round.
Dango Ouattara supplied the assists for both Brentford goals.
Fabio Carvalho scored in his first match back after the ACL injury suffered in November 2025.
Paudie O’Connor headed Reading back into contention after the break.
Brentford had 70.9 per cent possession and generated 3.21 expected goals.

Reading made the closing stages uncomfortable when O’Connor reduced the deficit with a second-half header, but Brentford saw out the tie. The scoreline remained narrow despite Brentford’s control for long spells.

Mikkel Damsgaard created four chances in the attacking third as Brentford dictated the ball, while substitute Igor Thiago added another attacking option late on.

Head coach Keith Andrews said Brentford are treating the competition as a priority and intend to push deep into it.

“We treated the previous round seriously and we did the same tonight,” Andrews said. “It is an important competition for us. We want to go as far as possible, and there is no reason we cannot. We will go after it as hard as we can.”

Brentford have exited at the quarter-final stage in each of the past two seasons. Their fourth-round opponent will be confirmed in Wednesday night’s draw.

Carvalho’s return is a timely boost as Andrews manages a busy run of league and cup fixtures. Brentford will also hope further injury returns can strengthen their squad options in the weeks ahead.