Joe Bryan’s two extra-time goals secured Fulham an immediate return to the Premier League, after beating Brentford 2-1 in the Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Final.
Josh Onomah and Ollie Watkins drew good saves from their opposition goalkeepers in normal time, but most of the action was saved for the additional 30 minutes.
Joe Bryan was the hero for the Whites, pearling in a stunning free-kick before slotting home a striker’s finish to put his side in control.
Henrik Dalsgaard pulled one back for the Bees at the death, but they didn’t have enough time to threaten a comeback, and so the bragging rights – and promotion – belonged to Fulham.
The Brentford defence was under intense pressure in the 10th minute when Kamara’s fast press scared Raya into passing straight to Bobby De Cordova-Reid, but we were eventually crowded out when he tried to feed Onomah for a shot.
The Whites had started superbly and fashioned another chance on 17 minutes when Tom Cairney played a reverse pass to Onomah who angled a shot towards the far post. Raya, though, showed fine agility to get down and palm it away.
The Bees’ first sniff of goal came just before the drinks break. First, Bryan Mbeumo sent in a looping header which was comfortable for Marek Rodák, before the same man was almost presented with a tap-in from Mathias Jensen’s in-swinging cross, only for Michael Hector to make a vital last gasp intervention.
Many of the Fulham staff were on their feet celebrating within three minutes of the restart when it looked as though Kebano had curled in yet another free-kick. It was a very similar angle to his effort in Cardiff, but the net was rippling due to the ball hitting it from the wrong side of the post.
A half chance came De Cordova-Reid’s way shortly before the half mark when Kebano’s cross diverted his way, but he had to take the shot quickly and could only volley wide.
Ollie Watkins had been anonymous all game, but the Championship’s second top scorer went close in the 71st minute with a driving strike from the edge of the box. Rodák watched it all the way, though, and was able to parry over the bar with relative ease.
Good chances were at a premium for a while after that, although Harrison Reed and Onomah did both send efforts over from range.
Fulham introduced Knockaert and Mitrović before normal time was up.
A great chance came Watkins’ way a minute into extra-time when Brentford substitute Sergi Canos bent a dangerous ball towards the six yard box, but Michael Hector did well to put him off and he screwed it wide.
Right at the end of the first half of extra-time, Bryan put his side in front in scandalous fashion. Raya left his goal gaping expecting the left-back to swing his free-kick in, and Bryan tried his luck from 40 yards – a gamble which paid phenomenal dividends as it crept inside the near post.
The remainder of the tie was as nervy as you would expect, until Bryan popped up to calm the nerves, playing a one-two with Mitrović before sliding in a cool as you like finish.
Dalsgaard did head in a consolation at the death, but that was all it was, as Fulham confirmed their place back in the Premier League.
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