SAMBA KING THIAGO SINKS SORRY CATS

IGOR THIAGO scored twice to keep Brentford's unlikely European push on track and become the top-scoring Brazilian in a Premier League season.

- BY ANDY SIMS

The striker, 24, notched his 15th and 16th goals of a sparkling campaign, taking him past the season's-best tallies of countrymen Roberto Firmino, Gabriel Martinelli and Matheus Cunha.

Yehor Yarmolyuk added a third to sink fellow surprise packages Sunderland, who were left to rue Enzo Le Fee making a mess of a Panenka penalty when he could have made it 1-1.

Moments later Thiago, Sunday's hat-trick hero against Everton, grabbed his second to set up the Bees for a fourth win in five matches.