JOE BRYAN scored the two goals of his life to send Fulham back into the Premier League big-time.
The left-back had only netted once in the league for Fulham before his Wembley heroics
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Joe Bryan celebrates his stunning free-kick to break the deadlock in the Championship play-off finalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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The left-back was the hero with both goals for Fulham to secure their spot back in the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
But when the game moved into extra-time he came up with extra-special goals that any world-class striker, let alone a defender, would be proud of.
After 105-minutes of cagey football that did not live up to expectations, the Cottagers won a free-kick 35 yards out to the left of goal.
Bryan looked up towards the likes of star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic – who had only come on at the end of normal time – and everyone was waiting for him to swing the ball in.
Brentford keeper David Raya was anticipating the cross – but, as he ran up to take, he completely deceived him by firing straight towards goal.
The Spaniard desperately tried to recover by diving backwards – but it was too late. The ball nestled into the net and boss Scott Parker punched the air and celebrated as though he had scored the goal himself.
Then, with two minutes left, you would never have thought Bryan had played 118 minutes as he sprinted up field to play a quick one-two with Mitrovic before slotting past Raya with a classy finish.
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Brentford goalkeeper David Raya could only scramble across his goal in vain as Bryan’s long-range effort hit the back of the netCredit: PA:Press Association
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Bryan kept his cool when he raced clear and slotted into the back of the net with his weaker right footCredit: Reuters
He will probably never score twice again in a match – let alone net goals as valuable with Fulham set to pocket at least £135million for regaining their place in the Premier League.
Henrik Dalsgaard pulled one back with seconds left – but it was not going to dampen Fulham’s night.
The only thing that was going to do that was the champagne itself, which was spraying freely in all directions.
Parker – who has won a promotion in his first full season as a manager – was lifted and thrown up and down by the team.
“We’re going up, Fulham are going up,” they chanted.
Parker deserved this night. Never once did he panic or flinch when the going got tough in the Championship. But that is just typical of the man we have all known from his playing career.
It is rare for a team to bounce back straight away after relegation yet he has turned a team of losers into winners in just 12 months.
And in the showpiece he tactically got it spot on.
He sat Harrison Reed and Tom Cairney in front of the back four and completely suffocated the life out of Brentford.
Much has been made – and rightly so – of the Bees’ frontline of Said Benrahama, Bryan Mbeumo and Ollie Watkins.
But so good were the Cottagers, they made them look more like an old banger. They spluttered and stalled their way through the match.
You now have to wonder if Brentford will be able to hang on to their star assets, who between them scored 59 goals.
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Brentford felt Harrison Reed’s lunge on Christian Norgaard was worthy of a red card rather than the yellow Martin Atkinson showedCredit: Sky Sports
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Scott Parker and Thomas Frank were both aiming to win promotion in their first full season in chargeCredit: Reuters
Benrahma has attracted interest from Chelsea while Watkins is said to be wanted by West Ham and Leeds.
Most neutrals would have loved to have seen Brentford go up – but, just like they did against Stoke and Barnsley in the final two games of the season, they could not come up with the performance to get them over the line.
They will move to their new Kew Bridge home next month playing Championship football – and no doubt will look to continue their fine wheeling and dealing in the transfer market.
Mitrovic only played a cameo role for Fulham – coming on at the death in normal time after not fully recovering from a hamstring injury to play a full part.
But, in Josh Onomah, they have found a fine player who is a real handful.
The striker– who has been outstanding for Fulham in recent weeks – started superbly and got the better of Ethan Pinnock early on before forcing David Raya into a good early save.
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It was a cagey affair at an empty Wembley with few chances for either side during normal timeCredit: Reuters
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Henrik Dalsgaard headed in a consolation in the 124th minute but it proved too little too lateCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Then after picking up a pass from Neeskens Kebano, Onomah turned Pinnock and his angled shot forced another top save from Raya.
Frank complained the EFL did not have VAR in Championship play-offs after Rico Henry was wrongly sent-off at Swansea in their first-leg before it was rescinded.
Well, this would have only strengthened his view when Harrison Reed was lucky to escape with a yellow card after a thunderous late tackle on Norgaard.
And, later, Cairney was fortunate to only be booked after an equally poor tackle on Benrahma.
Both were studs-up challenges.
Kebano came so close to scoring from a free-kick 25 yards out that missed by inches while Bobby Decordova-Reed scuffed an effort when well placed.
Watkins finally had a look when he fired a powerful shot from just inside the box that was pushed over by Marek Rodak.
But then came the thrilling extra-time finale and Fulham are back.
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Skipper Tom Cairney is hoisted in the air as Fulham celebrate at the full-time whistleCredit: Reuters
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Cairney lifts the Championship play-off trophy aloft for the second time in three yearsCredit: Reuters More
