Match Report
Fulham (2) 3-1 (1) Brentford
Premier League Match Day 05 25_26 at Craven Cottage
Saturday 20th September 2025, KO: 20:00
Referee:
Michael Oliver (Northumberland)
Sky Sports
|
Fulham recorded another memorable derby day victory over Brentford at Craven Cottage.
Just like in the fixture in SW6 last season, Marco Silva’s side had to come from behind, suffering an early setback as Mikkel Damsgaard struck.
But two goals in two minutes, with Alex Iwobi and Harry Wilson the heroes, sparked first-half pandemonium at the Cottage.
After the break, we were just as relentless as an own goal saw us increase the lead, while further gloss would have been added had Rodrigo Muniz’s rocket not been ruled out VAR.
Using the energy of the Cottage crowd, we pushed forwards in the opening minutes, with Nathan Collins shifting across to make a vital challenge on a rampaging Ryan Sessegnon.
Long throws have been a feature of Brentford’s start to the season - and Michael Kayode’s first launch into the area caused issues, flying over several heads before dropping to Bernd Leno on his goal line.
It was a corner that ultimately unlocked the Leeds defence last weekend - and here it was a Saša Lukic inswinger into a packed six-yard box that found Joachim Andersen, with Caoimhin Kelleher forced to punch away his attempt.
The pressure was being firmly put on Kelleher’s goal as a Lukic piledriver zipped across the turf before sailing wide.
Brentford’s opener was completely against the run of play. Josh King’s loose pass was picked off by Damsgaard, who took one touch before applying a crisp finish into the bottom corner.
That setback only temporarily halted our momentum as Kelleher spilled a low Sessegnon drive, with Muniz’s deft flick from the follow up landing on top of the net.
We got our rewards seven minutes out from the interval. A Lukic cross took a deflection off Ethan Pinnock, which caused chaos among the Brentford defenders, allowing Iwobi to pounce and prod home from close range.
It was a quickfire double as Wilson gave us the lead less than two minutes later. Another defensive error was punished as a relentless Muniz won the ball before laying a pass off to Iwobi. His crisp, incisive pass into the feet of Wilson was taken in the Welshman’s stride, as he struck first time into the far corner past Kelleher.
| Match Stats |
Fulham |
Brentford |
| Goals |
(2) 3 |
1 (1) |
|
| Scorers |
Iwobi 38 |
Damsgaard 20 |
|
Wilson 40 |
- |
|
Pinnock og 50 |
- |
| , |
| Goal attempts |
14 |
8 |
| On target |
3 |
3 |
| Shooting Accuracy |
21% |
38% |
| Possession |
53% |
47% |
| Passes |
448 |
391 |
| Passes Success |
84% |
82% |
| Crosses |
13 |
21 |
| Crosses Success |
38% |
14% |
| Corners |
2 |
10 |
| Tackles |
9 |
7 |
| Tackles Success |
47% |
54% |
| Saves |
2 |
2 |
| Fouls |
11 |
13 |
| Offsides |
2 |
2 |
| Yellows |
4 |
1 |
| Reds |
0 |
0 |
| source: SkySports |
Silva’s side came out with the same attacking intent after the break – and the advantage was soon doubled. Andersen’s pinpoint diagonal set the sensational Sessegnon free, with his wicked, flat cross too much for Pinnock, who headed into his own net.
The only thing missing from this complete display was a goal for the selfless Muniz.
The striker thought he’d got on the scoresheet on the hour mark with a thunderous half volley into the near corner, only for VAR to disallow the goal following a review, with Muniz adjudged to have fouled Collins before bearing down on goal.
Another marginal call went against Muniz moments later. The left foot of Kelleher produced a fine stop as Muniz rifled another strike towards the goalkeeper's near corner, although the offside flag was up against the Brazilian.
Three straight wins over our neighbours and back-to-back victories in the Premier League. A perfect evening at the Cottage.
Fulham: Leno, Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon, Lukic (Cairney 86), Berge, Wilson (Cuenca 86), King (Kevin 67), Iwobi (Smith Rowe 80), Muniz (Jimenez 80)
Unused substitutes: Traore, Chukwueze, Castagne, Lecomte
Goals:
Iwobi 38 (PARITY RESTORED! It seems only fitting it's a mess of an equaliser, as Iwobi smashes home a loose ball after Collins makes an absolute hash of clearing Lukic's deflected shot.
The Bees captain is off-balance after tussling with Muniz but gets a couple of stabs at the bouncing ball, before scuffing it to Iwobi - who is not missing this one from eight yards.)
Wilson 40 (Hang on, is this deja vu?
Two goals in as many minutes has turned this game on its head - and it's the man who is Brentford's kryptonite that's done it again.
Three in two last season against the Bees in just 32 minutes - two in a quickfire double at Craven Cottage, of course - and now back on the scoresheet again.
This is the finest move of the match to add to his tally, with Iwobi's lovely slide-rule pass turned past Kelleher with a fine first-time finish.)
Pinnock og 50 (Pinnock cannot believe it!
It's a diagonal ball to Sessegnon who then fires in a delicious cross.
Everyone misses it which seems to catch Pinnock off guard. He can't get his header right and it loops into the far corner!)
Yellow Card: King (43,sim), Lukic (53,f), Leno (81,timwast), Kevin (delayed restart,93)
Brentford : Kelleher, Kayode, van den Berg, Collins, Pinnock (Ajer 74), Lewis-Potter (Henry 66), Yarmoliuk, Henderson (Janelt 74), Damsgaard (Carvalho 87), Thiago (Ouattara 65), Schade
Unused substitutes: Hickey, Jensen, Valdimarsson, Onyeka
Goals:
Damsgaard 19 (Calamity at the back!
Leno's ball out to King isn't exactly what he would've wanted facing his own goal 25 yards out, but he has to do better than this.
The youngster's blind pass to his left is straight at Damsgaard, with no idea he's there.
Probably the one player on the pitch you would least like to give a run at goal. And after a couple of touches, he reaches the edge of the box and beats Leno with a fine finish into the far corner.)
Yellow Card: Collins (69,f)
Referee:
Michael Oliver (Northumberland)
Attendance: 26,113
Fulham are next in action at
19.45 next Tuesday, 23rd September, when they welcome Cambridge United to The Cottage in Round Three of the Carabao Cup, live on SkySports+.