Sunderland drew a third successive game as they picked up a point at Griffin Park.
Despite conceding early on, Sunderland fought back to level through Lewis Grabban before Brentford keeper Daniel Bentley dropped a Bryan Oviedo corner in his own net.
Grabban made it 3-1 with a penalty on the stroke of half time, but Brentford hit back with a free-kick just after the break before sub Neal Maupay levelled thanks a huge deflection.
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KONE BACK
Sunderland were making their first league trip to Griffin Park since 1993, looking to build on back-to-back draws in the Sky Bet Championship. Simon Grayson opted for two changes to the side which drew with QPR, as Lamine Kone slotted back into central defence, partnering John O'Shea with Billy Jones moving back to right-back and Adam Matthews dropping to the bench. Meanwhile, Grabban started for the first time since returning from injury, preferred to James Vaughan up front. Watmore, George Honeyman and Aiden McGeady were the men tasked with attacking support – the latter looking to become the first Sunderland player since Steven Fletcher to score in four successive matches.
LEWIS GRABBS HIS CHANCE
Watmore had the first opportunity with an overhead kick blocked during a bright start, but the visitors suffered a blow early as Brentford netted with their first real attack. A through ball split the defence to release Florian Jozefzoon whose shot struck the post, but Nico Yennaris was there to slot into an empty net. Calm heads prevailed, though, as the visitors were soon back in the contest. Grabban got behind the defence on the end of Oviedo's crisp through ball and marked his return with a crisp finish into the far corner – Brentford stopper Bentley got a touch but couldn't prevent the ball from nestling into the back of the net. Cue wild scenes in the away end – a vital intervention from the forward.
BACK AND FORTH
With Brentford attacking from wide and Grabban causing chaos at the other end, the game was wide open, with a McGeady corner flashing across the face of goal before Watmore looked to play in Honeyman following a break rather than take a pot-shot of his own. The visitors were quick to counter and the front four were proving willing outlets, breaking into pockets of space behind the home midfield and pressing quickly. Such pressing saw Honeyman win the ball back from a dithering opponent and feed in Watmore, who beat two men but saw his shot blocked as Brentford got players back. It wasn't all Sunderland, though, and Jason Steele had to be alert to gather Josh Clarke's effort from the left-hand apex of the box.
ONE-TWO PUNCH
Two goals in quick succession swung the pendulum in Sunderland's favour in the final five minutes of the first period. Another quick break forced a corner, and Oviedo's corner looked to be gathered cleanly by Bentley – but the keeper committed a howler by dropping the ball into the back of the net. The goal took more than a split second to register amongst the away support at the other end of Griffin Park before the celebrations kicked off. It got even better in stoppage time as Watmore – a thorn in the side – won a foot race with Ryan Woods, who stayed on his shoulder and brought the Roadrunner crashing down in the box. Grabban plundered his fifth goal of the season in cool fashion, clipping the ball down the middle form the spot.
ONE BACK
Brentford needed a quick response and they got it within two minutes of the restart. Jozefzoon profited from a foul on the edge of the box, firing an unstoppable free-kick into the top corner with Steele at full stretch. Just the tonic for the hosts, but back came Sunderland as McGeady saw a shot blocked and Grabban's snapshot was held at the second attempt. McGeady was causing problems when Sunderland managed to feed him on the left-hand side, and the Irishman managed to get one-on-one with the left-back, beating him with neat skill before firing into the side-netting.
LEVEL TERMS
Sunderland were left to rue losing a lead again away from home as Brentford levelled with time running out – Jozefzoon profiting from a massive deflection after a mazy run to beat Steele, although the goal was eventually credited to sub Neal Maupay, who got in the way of the initial effort. Now the task was to defend a point, with substitutes Callum McManaman and James Vaughan looking to provide outlets up front. As expected, Brentford piled on the pressure and Maupay was their brightest spark, twice forcing good saves from Steele – the latter a sharp stop away to his right. Thoughts may have run to what might have been at the final whistle, but it's another away point on the board.
Sunderland: Steele, Jones, Oviedo, Kone, O'Shea, Cattermole (c), Ndong, Honeyman, McGeady (Gooch, 89), Watmore (McManaman, 66), Grabban (Vaughan, 84).
Subs not used: Rodwell, Matthews, Gibson, Ruiter.
Brentford: Bentley, Bjelland, Jozefzoon, Yennaris, Watkins (Canos, 74), Egan, Woods, Sawyers, Clarke, Vibe (Maupay, 74), Dalsgaard.
Subs not used: McEachran, Mokotjo, Barbet, Mepham, Daniels.
Referee: Mr D England