Latest news with #WestLondonDerby
The Guardian
18-05-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Harry Wilson grabs winner as Fulham sink Brentford in seesaw thriller
Harry Wilson haunted Brentford once again as Fulham scored twice in two minutes to come from behind and claim west London bragging rights at the Gtech Community Stadium. Wilson scored a stoppage-time double in November's reverse fixture to snatch victory and his 70th-minute effort, moments after Tom Cairney equalised, proved decisive. Raúl Jiménez had opened the scoring for the visitors before Bryan Mbeumo – who had a first-half penalty saved – and Yoane Wissa both netted their 19th goals of the campaign. Cairney, who is yet to be offered a new deal at Craven Cottage with his contract expiring in the summer, forced parity before his fellow substitute Wilson repeated his heroics. Both sides have been vying for an eighth-place finish and what is now an outside possibility of a Conference League spot in recent weeks, after Crystal Palace's FA Cup win. Wissa squandered a golden chance from a one-on-one at one end moments before Fulham converted in the 16th minute. Adama Traoré, whose contract at Craven Cottage was extended by a year this week, whipped in a looping delivery and Jiménez produced enough power on his header to prevent Mark Flekken from keeping the ball out. The crowd was playing its part in a feisty affair, with both sides opting to go end to end. But it was Brentford who pounced not long after Jiménez's goal to level the scores in the 22nd minute. Traoré went from hero to villain when he had his pocket picked in midfield and Wissa linked with Mbeumo on the right of the box before the latter drilled his effort with his weaker right foot into the bottom-left corner. Minutes later Joachim Andersen brought Kevin Schade down in the area but Mbeumo saw his penalty saved by Bernd Leno. Brentford's persistence was eventually rewarded, however, with their physical advantage paying dividends off a set piece. Fulham failed to deal with a long throw and the Brentford captain, Christian Nørgaard, was on hand at the back post to nod his effort through the palms of Leno before Wissa prodded the ball over the line. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Fulham forced a 68th-minute leveller through Cairney, who nodded home from close range. Two minutes later, shouts of 'shoot' from the away fans rung around the stadium, with Wilson obliging with a curved effort from distance that left Flekken rooted to the spot.
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Brentford 2 Fulham 3: Harry Wilson scores screamer to seal win in thrilling clash after falling 2-1 behind
HARRY WILSON returned to haunt Brentford yet again and cap a spectacular turnaround in a feisty West London derby. Wilson scored a sensational winner from outside the box only four minutes after coming on as a sub. And it came just 60 seconds after club captain Tom Cairney had pulled the visitors level in what could become a fitting farewell before he leaves at the end of the season. In addition to five goals and a saved penalty, there were also moans and drones as Fulham boss Marco Silva lost the plot in the first half. And a low flying drone which appeared over the roof of the away end also delayed the start of the second half. Brentford will be kicking themselves for chucking away their hard earned lead with defeat landing a major blow on their already outside hopes of playing European football next season. They remain eighth but need a complex combination of events involving Newcastle, Chelsea and the Conference League final to combine for them to qualify. And they could be caught by Brighton who are level on points with them. Wilson's stunning winner was the last word in a gripping game between two neighbours. The Wales wideman scored twice in second half added time at Craven Cottage back in November when Fulham turned a losing position into a winning one. Wilson also had his contract extended by a year last week along with Raul Jimenez who got things under way with a powerful 16th minute header to put the visitors ahead. Brentford then levelled six minutes later from a classy finish by Bryan Mbeumo then took the lead through Yoane Wissa three minutes before half time. In between, ref Jarred Gillett - who let Crystal Palace keeper Dean Henderson off the hook as VAR in yesterday's (SAT) FA Cup Final - gave the home team a penalty. Silva was furious with the decision but seemed to have the particular hump with a Brentford security guard standing behind his dugout. The earpiece-wearing official was moved further away. But Silva lost his cool again when Bernd Leno saved Mbeumo's spot kick. He was also angry at several of the ref's decisions. Cairney was introduced after the break and headed home Kenny Tete's deflected cross 68 minutes into a crazy match. The Scottish veteran, 34, is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a £50K a week move to Championship newcomers Wrexham. Fulham's breathless victory means they have set a new record of 54 Premier League points in one season, beating the previous high of 53 under Roy Hodgson set in 2009.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Confirmed Team News and Predicted Chelsea XI Ahead of Brentford Derby
Confirmed Team News and Predicted Chelsea XI Ahead of Brentford Derby Chelsea XI Predicted as West London Derby Looms The turnaround is tight, the decisions significant. Chelsea's narrow but gritty 1-0 win over Tottenham on Thursday has lifted spirits and expectations. But fewer than 72 hours later, the west London derby away at Brentford now beckons, and Enzo Maresca must once again reshape a squad teetering on the edge of full fitness. Managing Minutes After Tottenham Enzo Fernandez's headed winner underlined Chelsea's recent grit, edging them back into the Premier League's top four with just eight games remaining. But victory came at a price. Maresca now finds himself balancing freshness with form. Advertisement Nicolas Jackson returned after a two-month absence with a hamstring injury and showed flashes of sharpness before fatigue took over. 'It remains to be seen whether he is risked again so soon' against Brentford, with rotation almost certain up front. There was also a welcome cameo from Noni Madueke. Returning from his own hamstring issue, the winger is now 'pushing to make his first start since February's 3-0 defeat at Brighton.' His return places Jadon Sancho under pressure to retain his spot. Photo: IMAGO Defence Faces Tight Turnaround In defence, Reece James was a surprise omission from the Spurs starting XI despite solid showings prior to and during the international break. With freshness key, he's expected to be restored to the line-up, potentially alongside Marc Cucurella and Levi Colwill. Maresca has managed to keep Chelsea compact and tactically sound in recent weeks — but Brentford, always aggressive at home, will test that. Advertisement Tosin Adarabioyo could again anchor the defence with Colwill, as Wesley Fofana remains out. There's further concern with Romeo Lavia, who missed Thursday's match and won't return for this fixture either. '[Fofana had] a muscle problem a few days ago and we are waiting for more checks,' said Maresca. '[Lavia] for Sunday is out. We don't know [about a timeline] yet. Romeo looks a little bit better injury compared to Wes, in terms of Romeo will probably be back more quickly than Wes.' Photo IMAGO Mudryk also remains unavailable and was not involved against Spurs. Chelsea XI Prediction for Brentford With the congested schedule, Maresca's expected to shuffle several key roles while maintaining a structure that has proven resilient in recent matches. The midfield axis of Moises Caicedo and Fernandez remains untouched, with Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto providing support in attack. Advertisement Madueke looks set to be rewarded with a start, offering pace and directness from the right, while Jackson is likely to be risked again through the middle unless a late change is forced. Predicted Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto; Jackson Match Details and Broadcast Information Injured: Fofana, Lavia Unavailable: Mudryk Date and Time: Sunday 6 April 2025, 2:00pm BST Venue: Gtech Community Stadium, London How to Watch: Not televised live in the UK Chelsea enter this fixture on a run of improved form and with a top-four spot in their grasp. Brentford, battling for consistency, will relish the chance to disrupt the Blues' rhythm. For Maresca, the challenge is not just physical recovery, but psychological sharpness — and ensuring his Chelsea XI can meet the moment, again.
