On a Saturday night at the Cottage, Fulham and Brentford look like teams going in very different directions
- By Kaz Mochlinski
- 29 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Fulham (2) 3 v Brentford (1) 1
Premier League
Matchweek 5
Talking Points
By Kaz Mochlinski at Craven Cottage
There is definitely something special about reaching for records from a century ago, and Fulham equalled one which had stood for 96 years when beating Brentford 3-1 in the Saturday night meeting between West London’s two riverside clubs.
It was the third consecutive league match won by Fulham against Brentford, and they had not achieved that feat since 1929, when the Cottagers were victorious in every one of the first three games they played with the Bees.
Fulham were much more aware of matching last season’s unforgettable autumn comeback success at Craven Cottage over their neighbours with two stoppage time goals in the 92nd and 97th minutes for a 2-1 triumph.
They had managed that by half-time on this occasion, with the two-goal hero from a year ago, Harry Wilson, revelling in once again putting Fulham 2-1 ahead, to add to his folkloric status which had got him onto the front cover of the official match programme.
In November last year on that memorable Monday evening there were more than five minutes between Wilson’s double strikes. This time only 98 seconds separated Fulham’s two first half goals, in the 38th and 40th minutes.
Whereas the previous time Wilson had been the outstanding contributor in scoring twice, now Brentford’s biggest tormentor was Alex Iwobi, who scored the equaliser and then provided the assist for his fellow Fulham winger to take them into the lead.
The home side’s head coach, Marco Silva, was unrestrained in his praise for Iwobi, but he also had positive news for Fulham fans about Wilson, as he believes that his first signing for the Cottagers is keen to stay and extend his contract beyond this season.
Silva could not help but recognise the immense improvement in the mood around the club within the space of one week. Never mind the successful turnaround against Brentford, the whole season could have hinged on a stoppage time own goal.
That lucky late winner to overcome Leeds United was built on in the subsequent encounter with Brentford seven days later. There was visibly growing confidence among the Fulham players as they determinedly battled back against the Bees.
Two victories in eight days make the Cottagers’ season so far feel decidedly better. The contrast with the Brentford side on the night could hardly have been greater, as the visitors crumbled quickly, both on the scoreboard and in their self-belief.
This was only one match but it did not look good. Like in 2025 at Craven Cottage, Brentford scored first, midway through the first half. However, once Fulham had levelled, there did appear to be much of a further threat from the away team.
The hosts easily repelled all the set-pieces they faced, while at the other end repeated moments of indecision and panic meant that the final scoreline could have been distinctly worse than 3-1.
