Thomas Frank says Saïd Benrahma holds the key to Brentford’s promotion hopes after his side’s 2-0 victory over Fulham.

The Bees toppled Scott Parker’s Championship high-flyers after late goals from Benrahma and Emiliano Marcondes at Craven Cottage, now lying fourth in the table and eight points adrift of the top two spots.

And Frank, whose side host top-of-the-table West Bromwich Albion in a mouthwatering clash on Friday, believes his Algerian striker will need to be on top form if Brentford are to sustain their promotion push.

“We know if we want a chance of achieving what we are thinking about he and our top players need to be on top form,” he said.

“Saïd is a top player in this top division, an extremely important player for our team.

“Today he played a fine game but not a top game - he was a little bit not too sharp on his touches and decision making, but we know he can make a difference.

“What I am very satisfied by really was his goal but he just managed to be patient, stay away from the ball and work the last line of the box.

“It's something we've been constantly working with so I'm very satisfied with that goal.”

Benrahma has netted 11 goals in Championship action this season, forming a menacing attacking trio with Olly Watkins and Bryan Mbeumo - nicknamed ‘BMW’ by Bees fans - who have 22 and 14 league goals respectively.

And the 24-year-old has also notched eight assists across his side’s 38 Championship matches, becoming a talismanic figure for Brentford since his arrival from Nice II back in 2016.

The Bees face another stern test in the form of Slaven Bilić’s Baggies on Friday night, who travel to Griffin Park off the back of a 0-0 stalemate with Birmingham but top the table on goal difference after Leeds’ defeat at Cardiff on Sunday.

Another player Frank will be hoping can fire is Danish attacker Marcondes, who came on as a substitute on Saturday before setting up Benrahma and scoring a fine stoppage time goal in the visitors' smash and grab raid.

And with eight crucial clashes remaining, compatriot Frank says his squad can use the 25-year-old’s behaviour as a shining example to follow.

“I told him, 'Emi, we're going to need you - we need you, you're going to be a big, big part of this and you're going to play a big role and maybe you'll not start as many games as you want,’” he added.

“It's just a good example that everybody needs to act if you want to achieve something and we can only do this together.

Marcondes added: “You look at the best teams in the world and it's never about just the 11 who start, and it's the same with us.

“As a player you must accept you're not playing every game but when you get on the pitch you just do everything you can to help.”