Brentford’s impressive Premier League season continued as they overcame west London derby rivals Fulham at the Gtech Community Stadium to keep their hopes of European football very much alive.
Bees’ striker Ivan Toney was the talisman once more, making it 22 successes out of 22 from the penalty spot for Brentford as they closed to within three points of sixth-placed Newcastle United.
Toney is playing under a cloud as he faces a ban after accepting breaking Football Association betting rules, but he was outstanding here as Brentford secured a deserved three points.
Thomas Frank’s side made a lightning start and could have scored three times even before Ethan Pinnock’s shot deflected off Tim Ream to put Brentford ahead after only six minutes.
Fulham are having an outstanding season of their own, and they finally gained a foothold before drawing level six minutes before the break when Israel forward Manor Solomon continued his rich vein of form, heading in the rebound after Andreas Pereira’s free-kick struck the post.
Brentford regained the momentum, with both Bryan Mbeumo and Toney hitting the woodwork with free-kicks, and were awarded a 53rd-minute penalty when Issa Diop fouled Christian Norgaard.
Toney, as is his custom, beat Bernd Leno with ease.
Mathias Jensen sealed the win from close range five minutes from time following good work by Kevin Schade with Carlos Vinicius’ stoppage-time goal for Fulham nothing more than a consolation.
Brentford’s eyes on Europe
Brentford’s supporters finished this game singing about the prospect of a place in Europe next season and why not as this remarkable story goes on?
Manager Frank has done a superb job, leading a group of players inspired by Toney, who now has 16 goals in 24 appearances across all competitions this season.
Toney’s immediate future is under that cloud after breaking betting rules and there is no doubt any absence would be a huge setback, but such is the spirit, character and ability built by Frank in this side that they could yet take it in their stride.
Brentford started with so much pace and intensity they threatened to blow Fulham away, and then showed their self-belief and resilience to regather their forces after Marco Silva’s side forced their way back into contention with an equaliser.
Those supporters who pack into the Gtech Community Stadium are living the dream and it shows no sign of ending yet.
More to follow.
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Brentford
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Squad number1Player nameRaya
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Squad number2Player nameHickey
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Squad number5Player namePinnock
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Squad number16Player nameMee
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Squad number3Player nameHenry
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Squad number24Player nameDamsgaard
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Squad number6Player nameNørgaard
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Squad number8Player nameJensen
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Squad number19Player nameMbeumo
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Squad number17Player nameToney
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Squad number11Player nameWissa
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Squad number9Player nameSchade
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Squad number10Player nameDasilva
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Squad number27Player nameJanelt
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Squad number30Player nameRoerslev
Fulham
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Squad number17Player nameLeno
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Squad number2Player nameTete
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Squad number31Player nameDiop
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Squad number13Player nameReam
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Squad number33Player nameRobinson
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Squad number6Player nameReed
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Squad number28Player nameLukic
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Squad number20Player nameWillian
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Squad number18Player nameAndreas Pereira
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Squad number11Player nameSolomon
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Squad number9Player nameMitrovic
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Squad number8Player nameWilson
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Squad number12Player nameCédric Soares
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Squad number14Player nameDe Cordova-Reid
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Squad number30Player nameCarlos Vinícius
Line-ups
Brentford
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Raya
- 2HickeySubstituted forRoerslevat 90+1′minutes
- 5Pinnock
- 16Mee
- 3Henry
- 24DamsgaardSubstituted forJaneltat 76′minutes
- 6Nørgaard
- 8Jensen
- 19MbeumoSubstituted forDasilvaat 90+1′minutes
- 17Toney
- 11WissaSubstituted forSchadeat 77′minutes
Substitutes
- 9Schade
- 10Dasilva
- 15Onyeka
- 18Jansson
- 20Ajer
- 26Baptiste
- 27Janelt
- 30Roerslev
- 34Cox
Fulham
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 17Leno
- 2TeteSubstituted forCédric Soaresat 83′minutes
- 31Diop
- 13Ream
- 33Robinson
- 6Reed
- 28LukicBooked at 35minsSubstituted forDe Cordova-Reidat 75′minutes
- 20WillianBooked at 25minsSubstituted forAlves Moraisat 83′minutes
- 18Pereira
- 11SolomonSubstituted forWilsonat 75′minutes
- 9MitrovicBooked at 61mins
Substitutes
- 1Rodák
- 4Tosin
- 8Wilson
- 12Cédric Soares
- 14De Cordova-Reid
- 21James
- 30Alves Morais
- 38Harris
- 40Wickens
- Referee:
- Anthony Taylor
- Attendance:
- 17,025
Live Text
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Match ends, Brentford 3, Fulham 2.
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Second Half ends, Brentford 3, Fulham 2.
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Goal! Brentford 3, Fulham 2. Carlos Vinícius (Fulham) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal.
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Attempt saved. Andreas Pereira (Fulham) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
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Offside, Brentford. Ivan Toney tries a through ball, but Kevin Schade is caught offside.
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Foul by Carlos Vinícius (Fulham).
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Ethan Pinnock (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt saved. Harrison Reed (Fulham) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
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Substitution, Brentford. Mads Roerslev replaces Aaron Hickey.
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Substitution, Brentford. Josh Dasilva replaces Bryan Mbeumo.
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Offside, Fulham. Cédric Soares tries a through ball, but Aleksandar Mitrovic is caught offside.
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Corner, Fulham. Conceded by David Raya.
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Attempt saved. Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Antonee Robinson with a cross.
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Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Rico Henry (Brentford).
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Goal! Brentford 3, Fulham 1. Mathias Jensen (Brentford) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Kevin Schade.
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Substitution, Fulham. Cédric Soares replaces Kenny Tete.
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Substitution, Fulham. Carlos Vinícius replaces Willian.
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Attempt missed. Mathias Jensen (Brentford) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the right following a set piece situation.
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Attempt blocked. Ben Mee (Brentford) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Bryan Mbeumo with a cross.
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