Superb Bees thrash Fulham in derby

Fulham 1 Brentford 4


Brentford stormed to victory in the west London derby to boost their play-off hopes.

Stuart Dallas unleashed unstoppable drives in either half to put the visitors in command at Craven Cottage, where Alan Judge and Jota [pictured] also found the net.

Fulham dominated in patches but lacked a cutting edge until they were awarded a contentious penalty midway through the second half, which Ross McCormack converted.

However, two goals in stoppage time guaranteed the win for Brentford, as Judge’s impeccable free-kick and Jota’s finish added a sheen to the scoreline.

Victory lifts Brentford back into the top five, while Fulham are seven points clear of the relegation zone with five matches to play.

The Whites, who made five changes including debuts for loan signings James Husband and Danny Guthrie, began brightly with Alex Kacaniklic forcing an early save from Bees keeper David Button.

Having sat back in the first 15 minutes, Brentford gradually gained a hold on midfield, and went ahead when Dallas – afforded acres of space 22 yards out – arrowed a shot into the far corner.

The home side responded strongly to going behind. Kacaniklic curled a left-footed shot just over the bar, Cauley Woodrow’s drive produced a save from Button and Seko Fofana drilled wastefully wide when well placed.

Just shy of the hour mark, though, Brentford doubled the lead with another Dallas special as he picked up a clearance before rifling it with venom beyond a helpless Marcus Bettinelli.

Andre Gray then somehow spooned over when he could have made it 3-0 after good work by Moses Odubajo.

The introduction of Matt Smith gave Brentford’s defence a new challenge and Fulham were given a lifeline when Toumani Diagouraga’s challenge on Husband was deemed a foul, even though he appeared to take the ball.

McCormack converted the penalty and a minute later Smith went agonisingly close to an equaliser as he chased a long ball and guided a lob just past the far post.

Judge, on for Alex Pritchard, made more of an impact than the on-loan Tottenham man, capping an impressive cameo with a superb free-kick and then setting up Jota to add the fourth.

Fulham: Bettinelli; Grimmer (Hoogland 46), Bodurov, Turner, Husband; Fofana, Tunnicliffe, Guthrie, Kacaniklic (Kavanagh 79); R. McCormack, Woodrow (Smith 62).
Subs not used: Kiraly, Stafylidis, Burn, Rodallega.

Brentford: Button; Odubajo, Tarkowski, Dean, Bidwell; Diagouraga, Douglas; Jota, Pritchard (Judge 60), Dallas (Smith 82); Gray (Long 73).
Subs not used: Bonham, Craig, A. McCormack, Toral.

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