HARRY WILSON emerged as the unsung hero for Fulham, leading a sensational revival during a gripping west London derby on Monday night, much to the delight of the 24,931 in attendance at the historic Craven Cottage.
With just eight minutes on the clock and his team trailing 1-0 thanks to an exceptional strike from Brentford’s Vitaly Janelt, Fulham manager Marco Silva turned to Wilson, who promptly transformed the course of the game.
As the match ticked into added time, Wilson’s sensational brace turned the tide, sparking wild celebrations among the home supporters and lifting the Cottagers to ninth in the Premier League standings.
Post-match, Silva expressed his relief: “It was undoubtedly a deserved victory,” he stated, asserting his side’s dominance throughout the encounter. “We came out strong and controlled the game. It should have happened much earlier, but that’s just football for you.”
Before kick-off, an exquisite rendition of The Last Post resonated around The Cottage, paying homage to the occasion.
The action kicked off with Reiss Nelson testing Brentford’s keeper, Mark Flekken, just five minutes in with a well-placed shot, following a slick exchange with former teammate, Emile Smith Rowe, on the left flank.
Nelson was eager to impress after his switch from north to west London, displaying his skill with a bright start, but faltering as he reached the end of his run. Smith Rowe soon tried his luck, working in tandem with Antonee Robinson, only to have his shot blocked as he homed in on goal.
Despite the home side’s pressure, the first goal arrived entirely against the run of play. Janelt unleashed a stunning left-footed effort from distance that found the back of the net, sending the Bees into the lead after 24 minutes.
The game intensified as Alex Iwobi, another former Arsenal player, swapped flanks and set up a dangerous cross. Smith Rowe almost turned it in, but Flekken made a brave stop to deny Nelson just before half-time.
Janelt tried to double the lead shortly after, but Fulham keeper Bernd Leno was up to the challenge, pushing his low attempt past the post as Brentford headed for the break with a 1-0 advantage.
As the second half began, Iwobi fired narrowly wide, while Kenny Tete put Flekken to the test on 66 minutes. Brentford’s Keane Lewis-Potter also threatened with an effort that skimmed past the far post, indicating that the visitors were still very much in the hunt.
As the clock wound down, Calvin Bassey had a chance that Flekken comfortably gathered, and it appeared hope was fading for the Cottagers. However, Wilson had other ideas.
In the dying moments of the match, he unleashed a moment of brilliance two minutes into stoppage time, skillfully pulling off a back-heel flick from a Adama Traore cross, leaving Flekken helpless.
Enthusiasm erupted in the Stevenage Road end as the home crowd erupted with joy, but Wilson was not finished yet. His towering header found the net just moments later, sealing a remarkable 2-1 turnaround.
In a dramatic finale, the Bees nearly salvaged a point, but Leno’s heroic save from Fabio Carvalho’s strike ensured Fulham held on to their lead.
Reflecting on the late twists, Brentford boss Thomas Frank lamented the brutality of the late goals, candidly admitting, “It’s fair to say the better team won today,” after witnessing his side’s familiar struggles.
Speaking of the opening goal, he added, “It was an incredible strike – one you rarely see, and we tried to claim a victory again – but ultimately fell short.”
