Football | Brentford 2 - 3 Fulham

Fulham stun Brentford with spirited comeback to keep European hopes alive.

The away side produced a stirring second-half display to come from behind and end Brentford’s four-match winning streak in the Premier League, a result that keeps Marco Silva’s side just about in contention for European football next season.

Author - Craig H

Needing all three points to have any hope of finishing eighth, the Cottagers started brightly and took a deserved lead when Raúl Jiménez rose highest to meet Adama Traoré’s cross, planting a firm header past Mark Flekken.

Brentford hit back almost immediately. Bryan Mbeumo capitalised on a loose touch from Traoré, played a quick one-two with Yoane Wissa and drilled a low finish into the far corner. The hosts soon had a chance to take the lead, but Mbeumo’s penalty was saved by Bernd Leno. Moments later, Wissa tapped in from close range after Fulham failed to deal with a long throw, giving the Bees a half-time advantage.

The game lost some of its intensity after the break, but Fulham struck back in the 68th minute through club captain Tom Cairney, who steered a glancing header into the corner. The midfielder, whose contract expires this summer, has been linked with League One side Wrexham. 

READ MORE | West Ham United 1 - 2 Nottingham Forest

READ MORE | About London Super News

With Brentford struggling to regain control, Harry Wilson – who scored twice in stoppage time in the reverse fixture – stepped up again. The Welsh winger curled a brilliant strike into the bottom corner, sealing the turnaround and setting a new Premier League points record for Fulham.

The result leaves Brentford eighth in the table, just one point above Fulham in tenth, with the battle for European qualification set to go to the wire.

Late-season resilience gives Fulham a glimmer of hope

Fulham host Manchester City on the final day of the season, but their chances of securing eighth could be over before then. If Brighton defeat Liverpool on Monday, Marco Silva’s side will be out of the running.

European qualification for the team in eighth hinges on multiple outcomes. City’s FA Cup final win over Crystal Palace means the final UEFA Conference League place will now only go to eighth if Chelsea finish seventh in the Premier League and defeat Real Betis in the competition’s final on 28 May.

Speaking ahead of the match, Silva had urged his side to respond to a dismal second-half showing in the 3–1 loss to Everton last weekend, their fourth defeat in five games. The manager will have been pleased with their energy and intent, especially early on as Traoré and Jiménez caused problems down the right. The Mexican forward saw two chances go begging before eventually opening the scoring.

While Fulham will rue the defensive lapses that allowed Brentford to lead at the break, Silva will be encouraged by his team’s fightback. Cairney’s equaliser was a moment to savour, celebrated passionately in front of the away end, and Wilson’s late winner capped a dramatic and deserved victory.

Brentford's momentum stalls at a crucial stage

Brentford had been targeting a fifth straight Premier League win (a feat they last achieved in 1939) and looked well placed after goals from Mbeumo and Wissa gave them a 2–1 lead at the interval.

But Thomas Frank’s side faded after the break, registering just one effort on goal after the 74th minute. Their best chance of an equaliser came when Christian Nørgaard’s header was tipped over by Leno in the closing stages.

Mbeumo’s saved penalty proved a turning point. The Cameroonian had converted all 11 of his previous spot-kicks in the league, but Leno guessed correctly and kept Fulham in the game.

Despite their attacking flair (only Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle have scored more goals this season) Brentford’s defensive vulnerability at home continues to undermine their progress.

With just one game remaining, the race for eighth remains finely poised. Fulham’s spirit and quality on the day proved decisive, while Brentford will need to regroup quickly if they are to salvage European qualification.