Fulham super-sub Harry Wilson stepped off the bench to score two incredible goals in stoppage time and grab a sensational 2-1 comeback win over west London rivals Brentford amid remarkable scenes at Craven Cottage.
Marco Silva’s side looked set to be beaten by Vitaly Janelt’s stunning first-half effort and had been repeatedly repelled by their local rivals. But by the end it was Wilson being held aloft by team-mates as the home fans revelled in what appeared an unlikely victory over their near-neighbours going into added time.
The game was in the 92rd minute when Wilson came up with a goal-of-the-season contender to get Fulham back into it. Adama Traore found his fellow sub with a cross from the right and Wilson ingeniously flicked the ball with his heel up and over Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken to huge roars. “I was just trying to help it on really,” he revealed later.
Fabio Carvalho – booed on his return to Fulham – almost restored Brentford’s lead with a close-range effort but Bernd Leno produced a huge moment of his own to block the shot.
Seconds later, Wilson was jumping through the Monday night sky to head in Antonee Robinson’s centre with 90+7 on the clock. Off his shoulder? Certainly. But no one supporting Fulham inside the stadium cared one bit about that.
Fulham leapfrog their rivals and go into ninth. Brentford – who have now blown a league-high 14 points from winning positions this season – slip to 12th.
Wilson: I was just trying to help it on!
Fulham midfielder Harry Wilson told Sky Sports:
“It was an amazing feeling to come on and score the two goals to win us the game. Throughout the course of the game, I feel it was what we deserved. We penned them in during the second half.
“Marco told me to play in the pocket and try to find space in the box and that’s what I tried to do for both goals. Both of them went in, maybe not quite as I’d have planned!”
On his first goal: “It went wide to Adama and he put it in first time. I just tied to get across the front and I was just trying to help it on really and hopefully someone could get onto it at the far post! When I saw it fly in, it was an amazing feeling.”
On his second goal: “The second goal was a bit luckier. I think it was meant to go the other way! It came off my shoulder but they all count.”
Carra: A deserved win for Fulham
Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher told MNF:
“I thought Marco Silva’s side were outstanding. I felt it was very unfortunate that they went in at half-time behind.
“They totally dominated the game. Brentford weren’t really at the races and they’ll be bitterly disappointed to lose.
“When you make a substitution, this is precisely what you want from players off the bench.”
