25/04 - 20:00
Fulham bounced back into the Premier League at the first attempt with a 2-1 Championship play-off final win against Brentford - thanks to two extra-time goals from defender Joe Bryan.
The enterprising left-back caught out Bees goalkeeper David Raya with a near post free-kick from all of 40 yards in the first period of extra time at Wembley - and then added a second to make the game safe with three minutes left on the clock.
Brentford defender Henrik Dalsgaard scored at the death, but it proved nothing more than a consolation for Thomas Frank's Bees, who will be devastated after finishing third in the table, a place above Fulham at the end of the regular season.
An understandably cagey game was ultimately settled by two moments of inspiration from 26-year-old Bryan - who had only scored one Championship goal all season prior to his matchwinning double.
⬆ @joebryan in 2019/20 (C'ship inc. P/Os; #FFC players):
— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) August 4, 2020
💥 121 tackles 🔝
💥 50 interceptions 🔝
💥 28 crosses blocked 🔝
💥 7 assists 🔝
💥 3715 mins played (2nd)
💥 55 key passes (4th)
💥 93 clearances (4th)
🔥 3 goals...inc. a matchwinning double at Wembley!🔥 pic.twitter.com/V0Ms49W3x0
Parker vindicated
Fulham manager Scott Parker has been criticised in some quarters for Fulham's possession-based game, some questioning whether the West Londoners were making the most of the undoubted quality in their ranks.
The 39-year-old was unable to save the Cottagers from Premier League relegation after replacing Claudio Ranieri in February 2019, but - after a controlled and classy performance at Wembley - has now earned another crack at the big time.
THAT ONE WAS FOR ALL OF YOU AT HOME! 🏆#FULFORCE pic.twitter.com/GvBKlwnAto
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) August 4, 2020
