Brentford 0 Fulham 0
Thomas Frank’s side went into a London derby against Fulham, assured of their Premier League safety. While it had seemed touch and go at times, The Bees had managed to find form at the right time to ensure that they will be in the top-flight next season.
Fulham have struggled on the road this season and have only managed two wins away from Craven Cottage since the first weekend of the campaign. They came close to opening the scoring when Iwobi let fly from distance but his effort whistled over the crossbar, skimming the woodwork on its way.
The game had started off in entertaining fashion and was flowing from end to end. Mbuemo managed to find some room in the box and got a shot away, only to see it come back off the crossbar. Lewis Potter got on the end of rebound but his shot proved an easy save for Leno.
Iwobi was causing problems for the hosts with his direct play. As soon as he received the ball, he was running at the defence with Brentford wary of putting a challenge in. The former Everton winger got a shot away but it was straight at Flekken in the hosts’ goal.
Credit: @FulhamFC
Both of these teams play a passing game that is pleasant on the eye. However, scoring goals is often a problem otherwise they would find themselves much higher in the table. Fulham are still missing the regular goals of Mitrovic that they relied upon so much.
Lewis Potter cut in from the wing late in the first half. As Leno came out to meet him, he did brilliantly to lift the ball over the keeper but Tosin was covering and headed the ball behind for a corner. Had the defender not been as alert, a goal was certain.
Into the second half, Brentford seemed to have more of an attacking threat. As the ball was whipped in, Wissa went to ground, looking for a penalty. The referee was not interested and Fulham immediately hit The Bees on the counter-attack.
Traore got in down the right and put a teasing ball across the Brentford box. Jimenez was completely unmarked at the back post, took one touch to steady himself but then sent his shot over the bar. It was a great opportunity for Marco Silva’s side and the Mexican should have scored.
Since his introduction with half an hour remaining, Traore was causing all sorts of problems with his power and pace. Late on in the game, he managed to get a shot away from a tight angle but Flekken got down well to keep it out.
The points were shared at the Gtech Community Stadium but for a nil-nil draw, this was a highly entertaining game. Both sides will feel they could have won this one but the goalkeepers certainly earned their wages in this West London derby. On reflection, a draw was a fair result.
Credit: @BrentfordFC
Fulham needed a victory to keep their remote chances of forcing themselves into the reckoning for European places but this draw probably puts pay to those dreams. Neither side has any relegation fears and can enjoy their two remaining games of the Premier League season without worry.
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