Tonight’s west London derby is one of the most hotly-anticipated of all time as ninth hosts seventh in the Premier League for a match-up of two genuine European contenders.
Brentford have not lost a league game since October in a 12-game run that has propelled them into the top half of the table, comfortably dismissing any pre-season talk of second-season syndrome under Thomas Frank. Only leaders Arsenal have got the better of the Bees at the Gtech Community Stadium in the league this campaign.
Yet Fulham have been very impressive themselves, the newly-promoted Cottagers parking themselves inside the European places ahead of this capital clash having won four of their last five in all competitions. Marco Silva’s side do have Aleksandar Mitrovic fit after injury to lead the line tonight after his return in midweek. Follow Brentford vs Fulham live via Standard Sport’s match blog!
Live updates
82 mins: Brentford have dealt with being in the lead at 2-1 far better than they did at 1-0.
Fulham again look to their bench having not really laid a glove on their hosts since Toney’s penalty.
78 mins: Robinson overlaps down the left to win a corner as Fulham look to spark up what is becoming a bit of a low-key ending to this derby.
A short set play is worked to Reed and Toney deals with Mitrovic at the far post.
75 mins: Here come double changes by both teams.
Wilson and Decordova-Reid replace Solomon and Lukic in an attacking move by Fulham.
Brentford bring Schade and Janelt on for Wissa and Damsgaard.
72 mins: Brentford pause their plans for a freshen up as Decordova-Reid is summoned to strip off from his Fulham training gear.
Close!
69 mins: Superb from Toney as he takes a peak from the halfway line and attempts to lob Leno… and it’s only just over the bar as the goalkeeper scrambled back!
He might have just had that one covered.
67 mins: Tete has a cut above his eyebrow patched up after becoming the second Fulham player to pick up a facial wound tonight.
The visitors briefly down to ten as Brentford rouse two troops from their bench.
65 mins: A stoppage in play after a clash of heads between Wissa and Tete.
64 mins: Pinnock does excellently to stretch and divert a cross with Mitrovic lurking right behind him.
Lukic then flies a slash over the bar.
Malik Ouzia at Gtech Community Stadium
I remember being at Griffin Park around halfway through the final season there when Brentford beat QPR in a west London derby and the first chants of “we’re going to win the league” started up.
They proved wide of the mark but I’ve just heard a smattering of “we’re all going on a European tour” here.
61 mins: Mitrovic booked for nagging into the ear of the referee a little too much.
Can’t think there’s been a huge amount for Fulham to complain of with the officiating tonight.