Fulham beat Brentford 3-1 on Saturday at Craven Cottage as Marco Silva’s side kicked their season on.
WATCH — Full match replay Fulham v Brentford
Brentford took the lead through Mikkel Damsgaard but Fulham scored twice quickly through Alex Iwobi and Harry Wilson.
Ethan Pinnock scored an own goal early in the second half and Fulham never looked back.
With the win Fulham are now on eight points, Brentford are on four points.
Fulham ready to kick on
This is the kind of win and performance which shows you Fulham are ready to kick on this season. Last season they would have probably drawn this game but Marco Silva’s side are ruthless, more direct and are finding ways to get it done. They aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing side to watch in the Premier League but they are efficient and Fulham’s squad has been improved step by step this summer and Silva finally got some reinforcements later in the window and winger Kevin looks like a real find. The best thing about this Fulham side is they have so many talented players all at a similar level who all seemingly seem very happy to rotate and play their part for the team. That atmosphere coupled with another season together, some new additions, an extra efficiency and almost half the Premier League playing in Europe this season is why they are in such a great place to push for European qualification this season.
What’s next?
Fulham head to Aston Villa next Sunday, while Brentford host Manchester United on Saturday.
Fulham vs Brentford score: 3-1
Iwobi 38’, Wilson 40’, Pinnock OG 50’; Damsgaard 21’
VAR intervenes and Muniz has a great strike disallowed
After a fine strike from Rodrigo Muniz, the referee is called to the monitor by VAR. Muniz and Collins collided just before the goal, and the referee Michael Oliver decides that was a foul for a whack in the face and the goal should be disallowed. Seems harsh on Muniz.
Oh dear, a very unfortunate own goal from Pinnock
A cross from Sessegnon on the left comes in and Collins misses it. That means Pinnock had no time to react and it hits his back and somehow flies into the top corner. Fulham are cruising.
Lovely finishes from Iwobi and Wilson!
Wow. What a turnaround! Iwobi scores after a poor mistake at the back, then moments later he knocks over a wonderful pass to Wilson and first time he slots home. Brilliant goal. Fulham lead!
Damsgaard scores after a poor mistake
Oh no. Josh King gives the ball away on the edge of his own box, straight to Damsgaard, who keeps his calm to slot home. Brentford lead and Fulham have themselves to blame.
Kelleher saves well!
A corner is whipped in and Kelleher pushes the ball away after it deflects off a defender.
Fulham lineup
Leno; Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Sessegnon; Lukic, Berge; Wilson, King, Iwobi; Muniz
Brentford lineup
Kelleher; Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter; Yarmoliuk, Henderson, Damasgaard; Thiago, Schade
Fulham team news, focus
QUESTIONABLE: Alex Iwobi (knock)
Brentford team news, focus
OUT: Gustavo Nunes (thigh), Paris Maghoma (other)
Fulham vs Brentford preview
Fulham got their first win of the campaign last weekend, beating Leeds 1-0 courtesy of Gabriel Gudmundsson’s 94th-minute own goal. That win came on the heels of a 2-0 defeat to Chelsea and a pair of 1-1 draws with Brighton and Manchester United. Marco Silva’s side isn’t creating quite as many scoring chances as they’d like (just 36 shots taken in four games), but they aren’t exactly giving up a ton either (just 43 attempts allowed). Sasa Lukic and Sander Berge make up one of the league’s most dogged defensive midfield duos, making the Cottagers one of the least enjoyable sides to come up against once again.
Roughly three miles further west, Brentford are slowly but surely finding their footing in the Keith Andrews era. The Bees fought back to steal a point against Chelsea last weekend (after letting a first-half lead get away) and added a bit more positive momentum by bouncing Aston Villa from the League Cup (in a penalty shootout) on Tuesday. Kevin Schade scored the opener, was a constant threat throughout the game and the 23-year-old Germany might just be capable of filling (part of) the void after Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa departed this summer.
How to watch Fulham vs Brentford live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET, Saturday
Venue: Craven Cottage
TV Channel: USA
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com
Fulham vs Brentford prediction
It’s going to be really hard for Brentford to get the ball into the final third without Fulham shooting themselves in the foot repeatedly, and that’s something that they just don’t do. Fulham 2-0 Brentford.
