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Fulham’s Harry Wilson strikes in 92nd and 97th minute to leave Brentford reeling
Among the Craven Cottage faithful, Harry Wilson has just earned himself a new nickname. Step forward the Miracle Man. Or perhaps the King of the Rescue Mission.
The substitute was only gifted nine minutes of normal time in which to affect the game but he completely changed the course of this compulsive west London derby.
Until the winger entered the action, almost incessant attacking pressure had delivered precisely zero to the Fulham cause. Brentford, defending an early lead with steadfast conviction, looked set to win for the seventh time in their past 13 visits to Craven Cottage.
But first Wilson deftly flicked Alex Iwobi’s cross beyond Mark Flekken to equalise, then with time almost over, sent the stadium doolally with a brilliant diving header from Antonee Robinson’s cross. “The manager told me to find space and when the ball gets wide try and get in the box,” he explained afterwards. “And that’s what I did.”
As he scored his second, just down the touchline from his delighted, bouncing manager Marco Silva, Brentford’s Thomas Frank looked utterly crestfallen.
“That was brutal,” he said. “Maybe the better team won. But when you are leading 1-0 with 92 minutes gone, and when the effort and mentality was unbelievable, it hurts.”
After securing an early lead through Vitaly Janelt’s long-range effort, Frank’s team seemed destined for victory thanks to a magnificently obdurate back line. Yet, in rapturous scenes of home delight, it was Fulham who took everything.
The several fans in front of the press box who had left with five minutes to go, grumbling as they sought the exit, must have been stupefied by what they heard unfolding from outside the stadium. In truth, they were not alone.
This was a clash between two football managers more than capable of extracting a tune from their teams. Though, it was Frank’s side that took a first-half lead.
The goal came thanks to a Fulham error. Taking a pass from Bernd Leno, Calvin Bassey overran the ball in his own half, Brentford seized possession and the ball was played to Janelt. His shot beat German countryman Leno with rather alarming ease.
Albeit that the goal came after 21 minutes rather than their usual 21 seconds, this was classic Brentford: seizing advantage against the overwhelming run of play.
Until that point, Craven Cottage had been witnessing what was in effect an Arsenal tribute act. Behind the striker Raul Jimenez, Silva had begun with three alumni of the Emirates youth system.
Emile Smith Rowe, Alex Iwobi and Reiss Nelson were involved in everything productive Fulham created, Smith Rowe’s ability to roll a pass with perfect pace into the path of a team mate particularly effective. He and Nelson both conjured a series of good chances, none of which were seized upon.
Anxious to make amends for the errors that led to the Brentford goal, Fulham continued to attack incessantly. But Frank’s side know how to defend. Nathan Collins was not alone in making a habit of last-second interventions. Flekken, too, somehow got in front of Nelson as he bore down on an Iwobi cross.
It made for a compelling spectacle, the question troubling the home fans was whether Fulham’s guile could find a route through their visitors’ four-square back line.
The second half started as the first had finished. Fulham poured forward. Iwobi shot wide; Jimenez redirected an Andreas Pereira free-kick across the mouth of goal; Robinson miscued when arriving to meet a cross.
Silva, his face growing more forlorn by the minute, sent on Adama Traore to inject some pace into things. The Spaniard was soon skipping across the front of the Brentford area. But his invitation of a pass was hit tamely by Bassey into Flekken’s arms.
He then confused himself at the end of a sequence of step-overs. It just did not appear to be Fulham’s night.
Until, that is, Wilson intervened and turned everything on its head. “It is going to be tough to leave him out,” said Silva of his match-winner. “It is tough to leave out any of my players. The competition is hard.”
Though you expect after that performance he might well get another game soon enough.
10:35 PM GMT
More from Thomas Frank
Sky Sports asked the Brentford boss if it would be fair to say his team didn’t reach their usual level today, to which he responded:
“That would be more than fair. Every game has its own story - we mainly look at ourselves, but there’s another team on the pitch who did well today.
“Let’s look at the end of the season and see how many wins we’ve got on the road. On paper Fulham probably aren’t the biggest team we’ve played, but they probably did the best against us in terms of dominating the game.”
10:33 PM GMT
What a moment
Watch Dimitar Berbatov's hilarious reaction to Fulham's 97th minute winner! 😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/OiEOKa4nq3
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 4, 2024
10:31 PM GMT
Thomas Frank reacts to his side’s defeat
Speaking to Sky Sports, the Brentford boss said:
“That was of course tough, emotionally very tough right now. When you’re leading in the 92nd minute it would be tough to even draw, and then we lose it.
“I think we hit our highest level, on the day Fulham were better but of course when you lead 1-0 there is also a lot of resilience, a lot of defending, and a lot of effort which I think should have given us the win if I’m honest. Then comes the unbelievable touch from Wilson which 99 times out of 100 would never go in, but it did today. Then we could have won then obviously we lost it, which is brutal.”
10:23 PM GMT
Dimitar Berbatov on Sky Sports
Reacting to Harry Wilson’s first goal, the former Fulham striker said:
“I think it is a great touch. It is a beautiful touch and it deserved to go into the back of the net.
“Whether he meant it or not, who cares?! It’s a goal.”
10:14 PM GMT
Harry Wilson speaks to Sky Sports
“It was an amazing feeling to come on and score the two goals to win us the game. Throughout the course of the game, I feel it was what we deserved. We penned them in during the second half.
“Marco told me to play in the pocket and try to find space in the box and that’s what I tried to do for both goals. Both of them went in, maybe not quite as I’d have planned!”
On his first goal:
“It went wide to Adama and he put it in first time. I just tried to get across the front and I was just trying to help it on really and hopefully someone could get onto it at the far post! When I saw it fly in, it was an amazing feeling. I tried to get something on that.”
On his second goal:
“The second goal was a bit luckier. I think it was meant to go the other way! It came off my shoulder but they all count.”
10:07 PM GMT
What a turnaround
"That is why we love football" ❤️
What an end to the game! pic.twitter.com/lcxCdOR1FR— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 4, 2024
10:00 PM GMT
Full-time: Fulham 2 Brentford 1
And there goes the final whistle!
It’s absolute heartbreak for Brentford who did so well to dig in and deny Fulham’s relentless pressure in the second half.
But Fulham’s bright play was eventually rewarded thanks to super-sub Wilson. He came off the bench in the 81st minute, equalised in the 92nd and then scored the winner for the home side in the 97th. What a performance!
09:57 PM GMT
GOAL!
Fulham 2 Brentford 1 (Wilson, 90+7)
Wilson at the double!!!
What a turnaround from Fulham deep in stoppage time.
After trailing from the 24th minute all the way to the 91st, substitute Wilson has managed to secure a six-minute brace to put the hosts on top.
Robinson crosses the ball into the area and Wilson arrives to head it home. The home fans go wild - what an ending!
"That is just incredible!" 🤯
Harry Wilson STEALS it for Fulham in stoppage time! ⏰ pic.twitter.com/mmf4L5fFVo— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 4, 2024
09:55 PM GMT
90+5 mins: Fulham 1 Brentford 1
A rare attack from Brentford in these closing stages and they are close to going ahead again.
Roerslev crosses it into Carvalho who shoots but Leno denies him with an excellent save.
After some scrambling in the box it is sent out for a corner which Leno eventually manages to gather.
09:51 PM GMT
GOAL!
Fulham 1 Brentford 1 (Wilson, 90+2)
Fulham’s hard work finally pays off - and Wilson’s equalising goal is a stunner as he scores with his back turned!
Traore crosses from the right and Wilson meets it at the near post. He pulls off a back-heeled flick which loops over Flekken and finds the back of the net.
What a way to mark his first goal of the season!
"Brentford finally breached" 🗣
Harry Wilson with a spectacular finish for his first goal of the season! 👏 pic.twitter.com/y72B2jCz7x— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 4, 2024
09:49 PM GMT
90 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Pinnock blocks Wilson’s shot behind for a corner, which is quickly cleared.
The fourth official announces a minimum of six minutes of additional time.
09:48 PM GMT
88 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Bassey fizzes in a shot from 25 yards out. It is a strong hit but flies straight into the goalkeeper’s hands. However he can’t collect it and the ball goes back into play. He manages to gather on second attempt.
09:47 PM GMT
87 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Brentford have put in a remarkable shift in defence this evening.
Fulham have two chances in quick succession as both Traore and Castagne go for goal. But their opponents are continually putting their bodies on the line and they just can’t find a way through.
Another Fulham corner is easily dealt with by Flekken. The hosts have really wasted their set-piece opportunities this evening.
09:45 PM GMT
86 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Mbeumo is replaced by Mee for the closing stages of this game.
The attacker struggled to make much of an impact and often found himself putting in a defensive shift for his team.
09:44 PM GMT
84 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Iwobi crosses the ball onto the head of Castagne, but it is a tame effort which drops into the hands of Flekken.
Fulham have another corner. Andersen gets his head to it but it is another tame effort which the Brentford goalkeeper easily collects.
09:40 PM GMT
81 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Smith Rowe and Nelson make way for Wilson and Cairney.
Less than 10 minutes for Fulham to find a way back into this...
09:39 PM GMT
79 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
A clash of heads as Roerslev attempts to beat Robinson to the ball. The Brentford defender goes to the ground and play is stopped.
09:36 PM GMT
76 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
The hosts have had 17 chances and seven on target - it is remarkable that they still haven’t scored. Seven of those attempts have been in the second half.
Meanwhile, Brentford have had just three shots with one on target. That one being Janelt’s wonder-strike that fired them into the lead.
09:34 PM GMT
75 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Nelson attempts a shot which is tapped behind by Collins.
Fulham have another corner. Nelson flicks it into the near post but Mbeumo clears.
09:32 PM GMT
71 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
A flurry of substitutions for both sides.
Jiminez and Tete go off for Fulham and are replaced by Muniz and Castagne.
For Brentford, Wissa, Damsgaaard, and Lewis-Potter are substituted for Jensen, Schade, and Carvalho.
09:29 PM GMT
69 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Brentford just can’t get out of their half at the moment.
A Fulham corner is initially dealt with but the visitors are unable to fully clear the danger. The ball eventually falls to Bassey who attempts yet another shot which Flekken collects.
09:27 PM GMT
67 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Iwobi runs into space, weaves through the Brentford defenders, and attempts a strike from 20 yards out.
Once again, it flies straight into the awaiting hands of the Brentford goalkeeper.
09:26 PM GMT
65 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
As expected, Pereira makes way for Traore - who is immediately involved in a Fulham attack.
He runs into the box and attempts a cross, however it is blocked by Norgaard. There are calls for handball but these are very quickly dismissed - the defender’s arm was tight to his body when the cross struck him.
Fulham quickly attack again. Tete shoots from 25 yards but his effort flies straight into Flekken’s hands.
09:23 PM GMT
64 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Nelson squeezes a pass through to Smith Rowe just outside the box but his attempt is blocked.
The ball flies back into the Brentford box and, sensing the danger posed by Nelson behind him, Mbeumo opts to fire it out for a corner.
Pereira sends his corner in. Norgaard misses the ball at the near post but Flekken manages to punch it away.
09:21 PM GMT
61 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Just over the hour mark - it looks like Silva has seen enough with Traore currently warming up on the touchline. It seems he will be introduced to the game sooner rather than later, with Pereira likely to make way.
09:18 PM GMT
58 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Pereira loses possession to Norgaard who works it out to Lewis-Potter on the left.
He attempts a long-range strike which sails over the crossbar.
09:16 PM GMT
56 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
The first booking of the night goes to Roerslev. He clatters into Smith Rowe as Fulham attempt to counter and the referee immediately produces a yellow card.
09:15 PM GMT
54 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Smith Rowe brings the ball forward and across to Iwobi. He runs in from the left and takes a shot but his effort is firmly blocked.
Brentford break quickly down the left. Janelt finds Lewis-Potter who sends a low cross into the box, but Tete make a solid block to halt the attack. Brentford have a corner which is easily dealt with by the hosts.
09:11 PM GMT
52 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Fulham break down the middle and win a corner. Pereira delivers it into the box but the visitors head it away from danger. Fulham quickly attack again though - Brentford are unable to get out at the moment.
09:10 PM GMT
49 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Plenty of early chances for Fulham in these opening stages.
Pereira passes into the path of Nelson. He runs past Van den Berg and volleys the ball into the box. Jiminez collects but Collins makes a firm tackle to deny him.
VAR quickly check the case for a penalty after that block but it is soon dismissed.
09:08 PM GMT
48 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Nelson beats his man and takes off down the right. He plays the ball across to Iwobi who awaits just outside the box.
He runs into space and shoots but drags his attempt just wide.
09:05 PM GMT
46 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Pereira has an early chance to create an opportunity for his side with a free kick just outside the penalty area.
He boots it into the box from the left but the visitors make a solid block.
09:03 PM GMT
45 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Play is back underway at Craven Cottage.
Can Brentford hang on or will Fulham begin to make their chances count?
Let’s find out.
08:51 PM GMT
Half-time: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Brentford lead at the break, despite Fulham being the stronger side for the majority of the first half.
The hosts created plenty of good chances but struggled with a lack of quality inside the Brentford box.
Janelt’s rocket against the run of play put the visitors in the lead and they managed to sustain that until the break.
A frustrating game so far for Fulham.
08:47 PM GMT
45 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Janelt goes again!
After scoring just his second Premier League goal in 60 appearances earlier in the game, the midfielder creates another dangerous chance for the visitors.
His side-footed effort from the edge of the box deflects narrowly past the left post.
There will be two minutes of added time at the end of this first half.
08:46 PM GMT
41 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
A great save from Flekken to deny the hosts.
Smith Rowe collects the ball in plenty of space and drives forward. He crosses it out and runs into the box, where the ball is sent on to his head. He fires his header towards goal but Flekken parries it away before Pinnock arrives to nullify any danger on the rebound.
08:41 PM GMT
39 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Fulham are starting to create their fair share of chances but need to get more bodies in the box.
Crosses are being wasted with no one there to run on to them at the moment.
The hosts are certainly starting to reassert themselves in this game though - can they find a breakthrough before half-time?
08:38 PM GMT
36 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Pereira whips a ball into the box from the right but it is neatly hooked out by Pinnock.
The hosts are starting to re-build a bit of pressure here...
08:37 PM GMT
34 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Fulham have struggled to re-establish their rhythm since falling behind.
Jiminez runs on to a ball in the Brentford box and gets caught up with two defenders. He goes to ground but his protests to the referee are very quickly dismissed.
08:33 PM GMT
30 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
Marco Silva is up on his feet and seems to think his side have been unfairly denied a thrown-in just in front of the dugouts.
Brentford look much more confident now. They are comfortable in possession and are attempting to play out from the back.
All the noise inside the stadium is currently coming from the away end.
08:30 PM GMT
27 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 1
The hosts win a corner which is taken by Jiminez. He swings it towards the near post but Brentford clear it behind for another.
The second corner is taken short but, frustratingly for the hosts, comes to nothing.
08:26 PM GMT
GOAL!
Fulham 0 Brentford 1 (Janelt, 24)
Where has that come from?!
Against the run of play, the visitors are ahead!
Janelt collects the ball from Norgaard and runs into space. He shoots from around 25 yards out and his excellent strike finds the back of the net.
It is Brentford’s first shot - the hosts have been punished here for not taking their chances.
Vitaly Janelt that is SENSATIONAL! 🙌🔥 pic.twitter.com/oMxmrqyQSK
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 4, 2024
08:25 PM GMT
21 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 0
Mbeumo attempts to build from the back. He passes to Noorgard who fires it forward to Potter.
He attempts a weak shot from the left but his effort is easily collected by Leno.
08:22 PM GMT
19 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 0
Nelson is excruciatingly close to opening the scoring for the hosts.
He’s getting his full-back time and time again at the moment - Brentford looking incredibly sloppy at the back.
He collects the ball just outside the box, and fires his effort towards goal but it goes wide of the left post.
08:18 PM GMT
15 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 0
It’s all Fulham so far - the visitors are still trying to find their feet in these opening stages.
Robinson makes a neat pass to Smith Rowe who runs into the box from the left. He tries to side-foot his attempt into the bottom corner but Collins manages to deflect it just wide.
Smith Rowe, Nelson, and Robinson are dominating that left channel at the moment.
08:14 PM GMT
13 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 0
Nelson breaks and leads the charge for Fulham down the centre of the pitch.
He does well to reach the box after breaking from his own half, but a heavy touch puts the ball out of play and means his efforts are wasted.
A good start, however, from the Arsenal loanee.
08:12 PM GMT
9 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 0
Flekken is down on the ground clutching his right knee and is receiving treatment. After a few anxious minutes for the Brentford fans, it looks like he is able to continue.
08:10 PM GMT
8 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 0
Mbeumo makes a well-timed run into the box and tries to get on the end of a cross, however Robinson manages to track the forward and lurches in front of him to clear the danger.
08:08 PM GMT
6 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 0
Nelson beats his man and drives into the box from the left. He takes a fierce shot at the near post which is pushed away by Flekken.
The Brentford backline struggle to clear it and Nelson tries again on the rebound, but Flekken manages to make an important second save for his side.
08:04 PM GMT
2 mins: Fulham 0 Brentford 0
Smith Rowe breaks quickly on the counter after a period of early pressure from Brentford.
He sends a ball to Robinson who crosses into the box but there is no one there to collect it.
Fulham attack again and Pereira crosses to Jiminez. He attempts a tame shot from the edge of the box but it is easily gathered by Flekken.
08:01 PM GMT
Kick-off!
The visitors get the game underway at Craven Cottage.
07:56 PM GMT
Here come the teams
The Fulham and Brentford players emerge from the tunnel and make their way on to the Craven Cottage pitch.
Remembrance Day commemorations are taking place and there will be a minute’s silence before kick-off.
07:55 PM GMT
Pre-match mind games?
"I'm just thinking what the thinking is, I'm intrigued by it" 🤔
Is this mind games from Brentford or genuine?... 🤨 pic.twitter.com/vbklnC387b— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 4, 2024
07:51 PM GMT
10 minutes to go...
Here is a reminder of the starting line-ups:
Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson, Berge, Pereira, Nelson, Smith Rowe, Iwobi, Jimenez.
Brentford XI: Flekken, Van den Berg, Collins, Pinnock, Roerslev, Norgaard, Janelt, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter, Wissa, Mbeumo.
07:45 PM GMT
‘I’m shy but I turn into a monster on the pitch’
Fulham midfielder Emile Smith Rowe recently sat down with Telegraph Sport to give his first major interview since leaving Arsenal.
Self-confessed “shy” Smith Rowe told Chief Football Correspondent Jason Burt that he becomes something else when he steps onto a football pitch. “I kind of just turn into a monster,” the 24-year-old explained. “I just try to let it all out. I just try to put in as good a performance as I can. I try to play every game as if it is my last. I just try to give everything for the team. That’s important.”
It is, surely, also exhausting to play like that? “No, not really,” Smith Rowe said. “Because I am so relaxed and reserved, my energy builds up. So, when the game comes, I am ready to release it all.”
Ahead of his side’s game this evening, check out Smith Rowe’s full interview with Jason here.
07:41 PM GMT
The home side get warm
07:35 PM GMT
And how Brentford have fared
Won Brentford 4 Ipswich 3
Lost Manchester United 2 Brentford 1
Won Brentford 5 Wolves 3
Drew Brentford 1 West Ham 1
Lost Tottenham 3 Brentford 1
A win tonight would build some much-needed consistency for Thomas Frank’s side.
They are still searching for their first away win of the season, and victory tonight could move them from 11th up to eighth or ninth in the Premier League table.
07:32 PM GMT
The form book for Fulham in the Premier League
Drew Everton 1 Fulham 1
Lost Fulham 1 Aston Villa 3
Lost Manchester City 3 Fulham 2
Won Nottingham Forest 0 Fulham 1
Won Fulham 3 Newcastle 1
They were on the verge of victory in their clash against Everton last weekend, until Beto scored a last-gasp equaliser to ensure the points were shared at Goodison Park.
A win in tonight’s London derby could boost Marco Silva’s side from the bottom half of the table up into ninth place.
07:23 PM GMT
Brentford topping the charts
In the Premier League this season, Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo have the highest shot conversion rates.
The former has scored five goals this season, with a conversion rate of 38.5 percent. He has been involved in 10 goals in his last eight Premier League appearances for Brentford and, across these, has scored or assisted every 52 minutes. Meanwhile the latter has eight goals to his name this season, with an ever-so-slightly lower conversion rate of 38.1 per cent.
Let’s see if the pair can provide a further boost to those stats this evening.
07:16 PM GMT
‘It’s an entertainment business, isn’t it?’
Thomas Frank, speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the match, said:
“Of course we would love a clean sheet. But hey, it’s an entertainment business isn’t it?
“I think in some of the games we deserved a bit more but we have had tough opponents. Then next in line is Fulham away and it’s going to be tough. We know what we are capable of so if we can put 90 good minutes tonight I am confident we can get the three points.
“The good thing is that I have had a lot of players for a long time and it is harder for new players coming in to get used to our principles. I have no problem if we shoot outside the box.”
07:14 PM GMT
Thomas Frank’s pre-match thoughts
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the match, the Brentford boss said:
“It’s a local derby and, in recent years, it has been very tight between the two teams - we have had some fantastic games against each other.
“Now, we’re going to play Monday night, under the floodlights, Craven Cottage - a historic stadium - we’re bringing 3,000 fans, and we’ll do everything we can for them to get the win. I’m really looking forward to it.
“We’re facing a very, very, very good opponent. Fulham have done very well over the last few years, I think Marco Silva and his coaching staff have done a top job in the way they have built them.”
“They have started this season flying and they have probably deserved more points than they’ve got so far.
“They also did fantastically in the transfer market: Joachim Andersen and Emile Smith Rowe are top signings.
“Adama Traore has also had a revival and is doing quite well, [Alex] Iwobi is doing well, Raul Jimenez looks like the player he was before the head injury.
“It’s going to be a tough test - but, on the flip side, we’re pretty good as well! I’m just excited, I think it will be a top game.
“I also like that it’s an evening game, I like that it’s under the floodlights, I like that it’s a local derby - I think that all adds a little bit of spice to it.”
07:08 PM GMT
Marco Silva speaks to Sky Sports
The Fulham boss said:
“The signs are there, the performances are there.
“The dressing room was sad after the Everton match. The way we started the season is positive, but we have to punish teams more when we have good moments.”
On Reiss Nelson’s first Premier League start with the club, he said:
“Let’s hope Reiss tonight can have an impact in our team. He was clearly knocking on the door, the way he had an impact when he came on in the last few games. Let’s hope he can have an impact - we have a strategy behind it so we hope he can have an impact.”
07:00 PM GMT
Ethan Pinnock speaks to Sky Sports
The Brentford defender said:
“On the attacking side, it’s been very good and we’re going to try and use that again today. We’ve got quick strikers, very busy and we’re going to try and use that.
“Also set pieces - we have made good use of them this season so we’re going to look to do that as well.”
On his team still looking for a first clean sheet this season:
“There are small bits that we can improve on so trying to get back under the ball and - after winning that first header - the second phases.
“Just being aware of our surroundings, trying to stop more crosses, trying to get tighter in the box. I think it’s just little improvements we can make and hopefully that can make a big difference.”
06:55 PM GMT
Team news explained
Thomas Frank has named an unchanged starting XI from the side that beat Ipswich in dramatic fashion last weekend. Yoane Wissa is back upfront after he returned from injury in that last fixture.
Marco Silva has made a few changes to his side, most notably dropping Adama Traore to the bench to give Arsenal loanee Reiss Nelson his first Premier League start with the club. Joachim Andersen is back from suspension and replaces Issa Diop at centre-back.
06:47 PM GMT
Brentford starting XI
Your Bees for the derby 🐝#FULBRE pic.twitter.com/tTrX6qtEQA
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) November 4, 2024
06:46 PM GMT
Fulham starting XI
Marco Silva's Fulham. 🤍#FULBRE pic.twitter.com/4POOPm5A8u
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) November 4, 2024
06:38 PM GMT
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06:31 PM GMT
Preview
Good evening and welcome to our coverage of the Premier League as Fulham host Brentford at Craven Cottage.
Just one point separates the west London rivals, with Brentford sitting 11th in the table with 13 points and Fulham just behind with 12.
The visitors managed to secure a last-minute win last time out in the Premier League against Ipswich. Their opponents were seconds away from holding Brentford to a 3-3 draw until Bryan Mbeumo struck in the 96th minute, securing all three points for his side. Brentford fans will be hoping he strikes again tonight – he has been their star man so far this season, with his eight Premier League goals bettered only by Erling Haaland.
Fulham were on the opposite side of last-minute heroics in their most recent Premier League clash against Everton. Alex Iwobi’s goal meant they were leading 1-0 until the 94th minute, when Everton’s Beto scored the all-important strike for his side to ensure the points were shared.
Fans of the visitors will be excited to see Yoane Wissa in action once again tonight after he returned last weekend, following a month on the sidelines due to injury. He yielded a brace in his first start back against Ipswich. Alongside Mbeumo, the top-class partnership is likely to cause problems for Fulham’s backline this evening.
However, Brentford are one of only two teams – along with Southampton – yet to pick up a point on the road this season. Meanwhile for Fulham, clashes with fellow London sides have become somewhat of a speciality. They are unbeaten in each of their last five Premier League London derbies and have lost just one of their last eight top-flight games against rivals from the city.
We will have team news for you shortly.
