Brentford’s fans and players united at Craven Cottage yesterday to leave an indelible mark on their West London neighbours.
Mark Warburton’s team, lifted by strong vocal support from the 6000+ travelling fans packed inside the Putney End, smashed their struggling opponents back into a relegation fight with a stunning destruction of the former Premiership side.
Fulham started the game fairly brightly with some useful possession outside the Brentford box, but their final ball consistently failed to permeate the Bees defence, one early save from Button aside.
Brentford started to grow into the game with Stuart Dallas drawing a good save from keeper Betinelli. As the home side relaxed they failed to close down the same player and Dallas rammed a rasping opening goal down their throats from 20 yards.
Fulham continued to huff and puff but struggled repeatedly with the movement of Alex Pritchard and Jota who drew a succession of fouls around the box. Fofana and Kacaniklic were similarly lively for the hosts but neither managed to find the net as Brentford headed into the interval with their lead intact.
The second half saw Brentford begin to completely dominate the match and it was little surprise when another swerving peach of a strike from Dallas saw the Bees advantage doubled.
Brentford sensed blood and continued to pour forward, Moses Odubajo finding space on the right and firing in a cross which was somehow blazed over from 5 yards by Andre Gray. We didn’t mind, we were having a party.
Within minutes, however, Fulham were back in the game, the ref signalling a foul by Diagouraga on Husband in the box. Plump £11m waste of money McCormack fired home the spot kick as the Fulham fans awoke from their tearful slumber.
Sensing that the referee was their best way back into the game, Fulham looked for another penalty shortly afterwards but this time their appeals were waved away as beanpole sub Smith hit the deck under a tackle from the magnificent James Tarkowski.
With Brentford fans starting to count down the clock, Alan Judge decided to settle nerves all round with a frankly sensational inch perfect 90th minute free kick. A wonderful moment from the midfielder who looked back to his best yesterday after injury.
As the roof of the Putney End was blown into The Thames by noise, Fulham fans fell over each other in a mass pile up for the exits.
Those remaining were treated to a last minute Easter present from Jota who smashed a 4th Brentford goal into the top corner in the last minute of stoppage time. The Spaniard just loves scoring against Fulham.
Bees fans stayed standing long after the game to celebrate with the team whilst Police outside kettled fans away from each other, with despondent Fulham supporters keen to throw some out of date quiche in our direction.
What a game, what a team, what a result and what a night of celebration.
With Ipswich and Derby both failing to win, Brentford are back in the play off positions with Forest the visitors to Griffin Park on Monday.
Condorman
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Remarkable match, remarkable video. It perfectly captures yesterday’s sheer joy and elation.
I look forward to these every week but congratulations Billy and Dave – this is your best one yet.
Remarkable game, remarkable video. Perfectly captures yesterday’s joy and elation.
I look forward to these every week but congratulations Billy and Dave – this is your best one yet.
Another great video. For me captured perfectly the emotions of all of us. Even when we went 3-1 up I was nervous. How stupid was that? All the remaining games are going to be hard. I just think we can do it. COYB.