West London Derby, Brentford 3 v Fulham 2, Monty Seager, Hampton School

The game began just how Brentford wanted it. Following a corner that was swung towards the back post targeting Ben Mee that was then cleared by Mitrovic before the ball fell to the up-and-coming youngster Aaron Hickey who scuffed a driven shot in towards the penalty area. This ball bobbled around eventually finding the Jamaican centre back Ethan Pinnock who as if he was a striker was clinical and within 6 minutes Brentford, were on the score sheet. Although it was a deflected shot off of the American International Tim Read’s thigh, the shot gave Bernd Leno no chance and it was the perfect start for the side who were previously unbeaten in 11 games.

A Fulham response was greatly needed, and they would need to try to wake up and fight back into the game. However, chances would continue to fall in Brentford’s favour after a conceded free kick would see a shot narrowly fly over the bar by Brian Mbeumo, trying to score his first Premier League free kick, which would root Bernd Leno to the spot, who could only watch as the ball grazed over the bar.  Shortly after, another free kick would be conceded in a similar area outside of the Fulham box however this time it was Ivan Toney who would step up, but just a bit too much power was put on the shot as it would hit the top of the net. Toney has been in some controversy lately with his betting accusations that have been happening off the pitch. However, he is flying and thriving within this Brentford side having already scored fifteen goals in all competitions for Brentford leading the charge up top. 

Thankfully for the travelling Fulham fans they would see their side score following a free kick, again just outside the Brentford area, would hit the corner between the post and the crossbar, luckily falling to Mano Solomon who would head home the composed finish. The Israeli born youngster has now scored in Fulham’s last four games providing them with vital wins or well fought out draws. VAR would check the goal however it would be Solomon who reacted quickest out of both sides’ players which would inevitably pay off. It was now 1-1

Soon after this goal, a scare would come to Fulham fans as the previously already booked Sasa Lukic would foul Wissa on the halfway line. This could be seen as denying of a goal scoring opportunity as he was travelling at speed between the defenders on the Brentford counter. However thankfully he did make a genuine attempt at the ball and Anthony Taylor decided to not show him the second yellow. 

Following a Sunday league like long throwing towards the box, Christian Norgaard, the Denmark captain for Brentford, would be fouled by Issa Diop in the penalty area. Anthony Taylor, who has had many experiences within the Premier League, immediately blew his whistle and pointed to the penalty spot. Norgaard showed attacker like instincts to try and touch down the ball which would lead to Diop being second best. This penalty would lead to Ivan Toney stepping up with his as ever composed penalty style, and he would slot the pen into the bottom right corner just pass the outstretched glove of Leno. 

With Brentford leading 2-1 Thomas Frank would swap Mikkel Damsgaard and Yoane Wissa for the young Kevin Schade and Vitaly Janelt. Janelt would have an immediate impact winning the ball within the Brentford half setting up Ivan Tony for a tremendously ambitious halfway line shot which almost caught Bernd Leno off guard. 

As impactful as Janelt was, the other substitute Kevin Schade would be arguably even more as in the 85th minute he would get the ball on the right flank and speed past the substituted Cedric Soares, who is on loan from Arsenal, and drive into the box finding the cut back to Mathias Jensen to put the game to bed. 

However, as Fulham have showed this season they will never give up until the final whistle blows and this can be seen when in the 99th minute the Brazilian born Andreas Pereira would take an ambitious shot outside the penalty area. The strike would catch David Raya by surprise as he would parry the shot down, but Carlos Vinicius would react the fastest meeting the ball at just the right time to loft it over Raya who was still recovering from the first save. 

A very tight cagey match that demonstrated the powerful attacking of Brentford and the relentless tenacity of Fulham would end 3-2.  With 63.8% possession Fulham would have been expected to have won this match based on the stats however Brentford were just more clinical. This result would push Brentford further away from the struggling Chelsea and raise eyebrows as to whether they could compete for European football. It will be interesting to see if Brentford can come complete the unbelievable run of unbeaten games that would if not certainly push them into contention for Europe. 

Whereas for Fulham this was a much-needed game to win as they are currently now 7th but have played one or two games more than the teams around them such as Newcastle who are two points ahead in 6th and Brighton who are one point behind in 8th. Fulham have been playing some very good football at the moment and would need to continue to do so if they would like to finish in the top eight by the end of the season. 

Brentford Team: Raya, Henry Pinnock, Mee, Hickey, Norgaard ©, Jensen, Damsgaard, Wissa, Mbuemo, Toney. Used Subs: Janelt (76’), Schade (77’), Dasilva (91’) and Roerslev (91’). Unused Subs: Onyeka, Baptiste, Cox, Jansson, Ajer

Fulham Team: Leno, Robinson, Ream ©, Diop, Tete, Solomon, Reed, Pereira, Lukic, Willian, Mitrovic. Used Subs: Wilson (75’), De Cordova-Reid (75’), Soares (83’), Vinicius (83’). Unused Subs: James, Harris, Rodak, Wickens, Adarabioyo

Referee: Anthony Taylor

Assistant Referees: Gary Beswick, Lee Betts

Fourth official: Stuart Attwell. 

VAR: Craig Pawson. 

Assistant VAR: Ian Hussin.

Stadium: Gtech Community Stadium

Attendance: 17,025 (98.7%)

Date: Monday 6th March