London, Nov 5: In a dramatic turn of events at Craven Cottage, Fulham emerged victorious with a 2-1 win over Brentford, thanks to substitute Harry Wilson’s last-minute heroics. Wilson’s two goals in added time sparked wild celebrations, handing Fulham a crucial home win that propels them to ninth place in the Premier League standings.
Coming off the bench in the 82nd minute, Wilson took only minutes to make his impact, equalizing in the second minute of injury time. His opener came after a well-placed cross from Adama Traore found him in the box, where, with his back to goal, he deftly flicked the ball toward the far post, catching Brentford’s defense off guard and sparking renewed hope for the home crowd.
Not content with a draw, Fulham continued pressing forward, and just four minutes later, Wilson found the net again. This time, he stooped low to meet a cross from Antonee Robinson, heading the ball past goalkeeper Mark Flekken to seal the stunning comeback.Fulham’s resilience marked a high point for manager Marco Silva, whose side controlled much of the match yet found themselves trailing after an unexpected goal from Brentford.
The visitors took the lead in the 24th minute, capitalizing on a rare error in Fulham’s midfield.
German midfielder Vitaly Janelt picked up a loose ball and launched a powerful strike from nearly 30 meters out, sending it arrowing into the bottom left corner of Bernd Leno’s goal. It was a moment of brilliance against the run of play, and Brentford looked poised to steal a victory from their London rivals.Despite trailing, Fulham dictated the tempo for most of the game.
They pressed relentlessly and dominated possession, but their final pass was lacking, and Brentford’s defense stood firm under pressure.
Wilson’s late brace, however, changed the complexion of the game entirely, validating Fulham’s persistence and finally delivering a result that seemed to elude them for most of the evening.
The defeat was a bitter pill for Brentford manager Thomas Frank, whose side had defended resiliently and looked poised to take all three points until Wilson’s intervention. “It’s emotionally very tough right now,” said Frank in his post-match interview. “When you’re leading in the 92nd minute, even a draw feels tough – and then to lose it, it’s brutal. Fulham were better on the day, and they played well, but I thought our resilience could see us through.” Frank reflected on Wilson’s first goal with disbelief, calling it “an unbelievable touch where 99 times out of 100, it doesn’t go in.”With this hard-fought victory, Fulham moves up to ninth place, adding three points that could prove crucial in the tightly packed mid-table.
Meanwhile, Brentford remains in 13th, left to rue a match that slipped away at the last possible moment.
For Fulham, the late victory underscores their growing resilience and determination under Marco Silva, signaling their intent to compete among the Premier League’s mid-tier teams.
This comeback win not only boosts their league position but also bolsters team morale heading into a challenging stretch of fixtures.
Meanwhile, Brentford will face tough questions about their ability to close out games, particularly after such a gut-wrenching defeat.
As both London clubs continue their campaigns, Fulham’s spirited finish serves as a reminder of the thrilling unpredictability that makes the Premier League so captivating.
Fulham fans will savor this victory, not just for the late drama but for what it signifies about the club’s ambitions this season. Under Silva’s guidance, Fulham has shown an attacking flair and a refusal to settle for draws. (AP)
