Lowdown on Fulham 2 Brentford 1 : Wilson’s sensational double stuns west London rivals

Fulham had 68 per cent of the ball and peppered the Brentford goal. Yet it looked for all the world that it would count for nothing as a disciplined and stubborn Bees rearguard frustrated them throughout. A goal out of the blue in the 24th minute from a rare Bees attack by Vitaly Janelt – a beauty from 30 yards – looked likely to settle the outcome. But then came 90+2 an 90+7…and a night Harry Wilson won’t forget in a hurry.

Here is Yann Tear’s lowdown on the match:

THE LINE-UPS

Fulham: Leno – Tete (Castagne 73), Andersen, Bassey, Robinson – Pereira (Traore 65), Berge – Nelson (Wilson 82), Smith Rowe (Cairney 82), Iwobi – Jimenez (Muniz 72)

Unused subs: Benda, Diop, Reed, Sessegnon

Brentford: Flekken – Roerslev, Collins, Pinnock, van den Berg – Norgaard, Janelt (Yarmoliuk 90+3)- Mbeumo (Mee 86), Damsgaard (Jensen 72), Lewis-Potter (Carvalho 72) – Wissa (Schade 72)

Unused subs: Konak, Maghoma, Meghoma, Valdimarsson, Yarmoliuk

SNAPSHOT OF THE GAME

It was one of those nights when you feared the worst for Fulham. They started really brightly but spurned some great chances before being sucker-punched by Janelt’s thunderbolt. As we entered injury time at the end of the 90, all that possession and a final shot count of 26-5 appeared futile. But as it happens, two of those shots made all the difference. First Wilson stole into the near post ahead of Ben Mee to acrobatically turn in a cross from Adama Traore, then after Bernd Leno had made a crucial stop to deny Fabio Carvalho, Wilson was on hand once more to head in an Antonee Robinson cross from the left. Cue pandemonium.

TACTICAL APPROACH

Fulham identified their best avenue of attack as the left flank through the triumvirate of Robinson, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson. They created plenty of danger. Brentford set up like Fulham in a 4-2-3-1 but were much more intent on a first clean sheet of the season in the Premier League and an end to a run of four successive away defeats. The Whites’ approach deserved to bear fruit but Marco Silva had to change it when it became clear it wasn’t working and that his side looked to be sliding to an inevitable defeat. The introduction of Traore provided greater width, power and pace and gave the Bees much more to deal with.

STAR MAN

The ex-Arsenal duo did their very best to get Fulham the goal they craved and were arguably the stand-out players. That was until Wilson came on to steal the limelight entirely. It was as memorable a cameo as you could get. And what a time for the 27-year-old Welshman to claim his first goals of the season. Emile Smith Rowe’s fitness has improved and he was always involved and available to set up new lines of attack. Reiss Nelson came close to scoring on a couple of occasions and full of energy and daring. Robinson was immense too.

BEST MOMENT

Probably the moment of the season, let alone the match. Wilson’s header to break Brentford hearts and kill the hoodoo the visitors have over them. It was only one win in the past nine against them before tonight and six defeats in their past seven Monday night games. They had also only claimed two wins in the past 21 home games against the Gtech men. What a way to torpedo that curse against those upstart rivals from down the road. Hammy End fans had to wait a long time for their moment, but boy was it worth it.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

For the fans, it was the sight of Fabio Carvalho warming up and then coming off the bench. The former Fulham player’s defection to Liverpool felt bad enough but then pitching up at one of the clubs they hate most….But on night’s like these there will be no real moans, just plenty of joy to soak up.

TALKING POINTS DOWN THE PUB

Just when they were thinking to themselves that they were badly missing Aleksandr Mitrovic, the narrative changed, leaving them with only cheerful upbeat things to talk about. It will be more about toasting the night than having a gripe.

WHAT THE BOSS HAD TO SAY

“We definitely deserved the three points – no doubt about it. We know this win will make us more confident in the next game.”

“The game was like our season so far, where we dominate and create many more chances than the opposition but we didn’t get so far the points we deserved from our games.”

“It was a very good performance from us. We were the team that tried to win the game. It was a great night for the fans and the main thing is to give them these kind of moments.

“Harry [Wilson] is probably not getting the moments he wants. It’s been tough for him. He has to wait and be patient. He deserved the moment. He’s a top guy.”

Bees boss Thomas Frank said: “It’s brutal to lose this way. But I think it’s fair to say the better team won.”

Pictured top: Harry Wilson wheel away in triumph after his incredible late winner (Picture: PA)