Fulham substitute Harry Wilson scored twice in stoppage time to help Marco Silva's side come from behind to beat West London rivals Brentford 2-1 at Craven Cottage in the Premier League.
The Cottagers dominated the contest throughout, but they entered the half-time interval behind after Brentford's Vitaly Janelt fired a magnificent 29-yard rocket into the far corner with the Bees' first shot on goal in the 24th minute.
It was one-way traffic in Fulham's favour for the majority of the second half, but it looked as if the Cottagers would not break down Brentford's stubborn defence, with Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken frustrating the hosts with 10 saves.
However, Welsh winger Wilson - who was brought on in the 82nd minute - came to the rescue for Fulham to turn the game on its head in dramatic fashion within five minutes of stoppage time, scoring an equaliser in unorthodox fashion with an aerial scorpion-kick-like finish that looped over Flekken and into the far corner.
After scoring his first with Fulham's 25th attempt on goal, Wilson triggered pandemonium at Craven Cottage with his winning goal in the 97th minute when he met Antonee Robinson's cross from the left and directed the ball with his shoulder into the top corner.
Fulham's three-game winless run has now come to an end and they have climbed up to ninth in the Premier League table, while Thomas Frank's Brentford have suffered their fifth straight defeat away from home this season and remain 12th in the standings.
FULHAM VS. BRENTFORD HIGHLIGHTS
Vitaly Yanelt goal vs. Fulham (24th min, Fulham 0-1 Brentford)
Vitaly Janelt that is SENSATIONAL! 🙌🔥 pic.twitter.com/oMxmrqyQSK
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 4, 2024
Against the run of play, Brentford win the ball back in midfield and after a few intricate passes in and around Fulham's box, the ball found its way to Vitaly Yanelt who looked up and unleashed a 29-yard rocket into the far corner – Brentford's first shot on goal in the match and Yanelt's first goal of the season.
Harry Wilson goal vs. Fulham (90 + 2 min, Fulham 1-1 Brentford)
"Brentford finally breached" 🗣
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 4, 2024
Harry Wilson with a spectacular finish for his first goal of the season! 👏 pic.twitter.com/y72B2jCz7x
Fulham's persistence in the final third eventually paid off and they deservedly scored an equaliser in the second minute of stoppage time when Adama Traore flashed a cross from the right towards Wilson, who leapt in the air and directed a backheel volley up and over Flekken's head before the ball dropped into the far corner.
Harry Wilson goal vs. Fulham (90 + 7 min, Fulham 2-1 Brentford)
"That is just incredible!" 🤯
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 4, 2024
Harry Wilson STEALS it for Fulham in stoppage time! ⏰ pic.twitter.com/mmf4L5fFVo
Remarkable! Wilson times his run to perfection as he meets Antonee Robinson's cross from the left into the penalty box, and the Welshman somehow directs the ball with his shoulder beyond Flekken into the top corner to snatch all three points for Fulham at the death.
MAN OF THE MATCH - HARRY WILSON
© Imago
Reiss Nelson deserves a special mention for his impressive display in the final third for Fulham, while Brentford duo Yanelt and Flekken were also standout performers on the night, but it if difficult to ignore Wilson's game-changing contributions in the dying embers.
Wilson only came off bench in the 82nd minute, but he took the game by the scruff of the neck and was in the right place at the right time to score two somewhat bizarre yet brilliant goals to help Fulham snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
FULHAM VS. BRENTFORD MATCH STATS
Possession: Fulham 68%-32% Brentford
Shots: Fulham 26-5 Brentford
Shots on target: Fulham 12-2 Brentford
Corners: Fulham 11-3 Brentford
Fouls: Fulham 3-10 Brentford
BEST STATS
The stats from Fulham vs Brentford 📊🤯 pic.twitter.com/SivAsk2qbL
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 4, 2024
WHAT NEXT?
Fulham will now turn their attention to another Premier League game against London-based opposition as they will come up against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Brentford are also in action on November 9 when they welcome high-flying Bournemouth to the Gtech Community Stadium.
Oliver Thomas
