Heartache for Brentford as Fulham Edge Play Off Final

Premier League dream over for this year at least

Brentford's captain Pontus Jansson during the final. Picture: Brentford FC

In the event it was Fulham that won the west London showdown at Wembley to claim a place in the Premier League.

Described as ‘the richest game in football’, the championship play off final has no second prize and now Brentford must face another season in the second tier. They might have to do so without some of their star players who brought them to the brink of promotion.

Fulham played with two holding midfield players which successfully neutralised the threat from Brentford’s ‘BMW’ trio of Benrahma, Mbeumo and Watkins who had scored 59 goals this season.

In a game lacking the quality that has been the hallmark of many of the Bees’ games this season, it was a goalkeeping error that broke the deadlock after the game had gone into extra time. A free kick by Joe Bryan from nearly 40 years out looked quite innocuous but Brentford’s highly rated keeper David Raya lost his bearings.

Then with just two minutes remaining full-back Bryan found himself clear in his opponent’s penalty box after a one-two with Mitrovic and scored his second. His tally of league goals before the final was one.

Brentford pulled one back in injury time through Henrik Dalsgaard but there wasn’t enough time for an equaliser.

Thomas Frank speaking afterwards to Sky Sports congratulated Fulham and said, "Of course it's tough when you lose a final like this in a very tight game but I’m extremely proud of my players.

"We have gone from a mid-table club to a team who, in the league table, was the third-best team.

"We are very fine margins away from the Premier League, which is an incredible achievement from us."

There will be huge disappointment at the club as it was effectively the third chance they had to secure promotion and each time they didn’t play at their best.

Frank now may have to rebuild the squad which achieved this as many of them are likely to be targets for Premier League clubs with Benrahma high on Chelsea’s shopping list and Leeds and West Ham interested in Ollie Watkins. However, Brentford are a selling club and have consistently replaced players they have sold to Premier League sides with those of equivalent or better quality.

Hounslow Council Leader Steve Curran said,“Congratulations to Fulham on the win and well done to Brentford on a hard-fought game. The club has had a great season, without doubt playing some of the best football in the league. The manager and players have been fantastic, particularly the way they responded to the challenging circumstances around lockdown.

“Whilst the team and fans are obviously disappointed to have come so close to promotion, I have no doubt starting next season in their new stadium will give the team the perfect boost to hopefully secure a well-deserved promotion next year. We look forward to cheering on the Bees in their new home."

Brentford can take some solace in the fact that they will start next season in their brand new stadium at Lionel Road and, although there won’t be top flight football played there, rugby fans will be able to see Premiership games hosted by London Irish.

August 7, 2020