Brentford delivered a ruthless performance to end Grimsby Town’s fairytale Carabao Cup run, storming to a 5-0 victory at Blundell Park and booking their place in the quarter-finals.
Grimsby’s Dream Start Quickly Unravels
For the first 20 minutes, it looked like League Two’s Grimsby Town might script another cup shock. The Mariners dominated possession, holding over
60% of the ball, and threatened Brentford’s goal with early efforts from Charles Vernam and Evan Khouri. The home crowd dared to dream of a repeat of their famous win over Manchester United earlier in the competition.
But the Premier League side’s class soon told. A costly mistake on the edge of Grimsby’s box gifted Mathias Jensen the ball, and he punished the hosts with a stunning long-range finish to open the scoring. From that moment, Brentford seized control and never looked back.
Reiss Nelson Shines on Brentford Debut
The night belonged to
Reiss Nelson, making his first start for Brentford after joining on loan from Arsenal. Nelson was electric, notching a goal and an assist in a dazzling display. He set up Keane Lewis-Potter for Brentford’s second with a surging run and pinpoint cross, then capped a sweeping move with a composed finish for the third—his first goal in over a year after an injury-hit spell at Fulham.
By halftime, Brentford were 3-0 up, and the contest was effectively over. The Bees added two more after the break, with Grimsby unable to stem the tide against their top-flight opponents.
What This Means for Both Clubs
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Brentford: The win marks a statement of intent under new manager Keith Andrews, who has quickly found form with the squad. The Bees now advance to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, keeping hopes alive for a first major trophy in the club’s modern era.
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Grimsby Town: Despite the heavy defeat, the Mariners can hold their heads high after a remarkable cup run that captured national attention. Their early dominance against Brentford showed the gap between the divisions can still be bridged—at least for a while.
Key Moments and Stats
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Mathias Jensen: Opened the scoring with a spectacular strike.
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Reiss Nelson: Goal and assist on debut, central to Brentford’s attacking threat.
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Keane Lewis-Potter: Added Brentford’s second goal.
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Possession: Grimsby had over 60% in the opening 20 minutes before Brentford took control.
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Final Score: Grimsby Town 0, Brentford 5.
Expert Commentary
Brentford’s clinical edge and squad depth ultimately overwhelmed Grimsby, but the Mariners’ early performance was a reminder of the magic the Carabao Cup can still produce. As one analyst put it,
“For 20 minutes, Grimsby looked every bit the giant-killer. But Brentford’s quality shone through, and Reiss Nelson’s debut was the icing on the cake.”What’s Next?
Brentford will look to carry this momentum into the quarter-finals, while Grimsby return to League Two action with memories of a cup run that will live long in club folklore.
Sources
1. Grimsby 0-5 Brentford (Oct 28, 2025) Final Score - ESPN
2. Take 5 with Keith Niebuhr - 247 Sports
3. Grimsby 0-5 Brentford: Reiss Nelson gets goal and assist on first ...
4. Arsenal Membership: Everything You Need to Know in 2025
5. Grimsby Town vs. Brentford: | Carabao Cup Fourth Round - YouTube
6. Liverpool Season Ticket Waiting List - Ticket-Compare.com
7. FIVE GOALS! | Grimsby Town v Brentford Extended Highlights
8. Sunday, May 22: A $1 Million Prize Is on the Line in NASCAR's All ...
9. Grimsby Town 0-5 Brentford | Carabao Cup Highlights - Sky Sports
