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You know it's heady times in the Premier League when Brentford versus Fulham makes for can't-miss TV, and that was the case in a Monday Night Football clash at Gtech Community Stadium that outlined why both clubs are safe from relegation and eyeing a place in Europe. The London derby was a five-goal barn burner.
Brentford flew out of the traps and earned a deserved lead in the sixth-minute. A barrage of early balls into Fulham's area had been met by Tim Ream, but the American defender could only watch in horror as his attempted block deflected beyond Bernd Leno.
The Brentford shot deflects off of Tim Ream and IN!#MyPLMorning | #BREFUL pic.twitter.com/Wh2nLmSaZH
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 6, 2023
Ream and defensive compatriot Antonee Robinson were up against a Brentford team that was totally feeling itself — most notably Ivan "The People's FPL Champion" Toney.
He attempted a variant of Ronaldinho's famous back pass, using his bum instead, but Fulhamerica sniffed it out.
Almost completed the pass using his behind! pic.twitter.com/cE9DlrIvvz
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 6, 2023
Even after Manor Solomon brought Fulham level before halftime (we've been telling you about Solomon here at The18 since his Shakhtar Donetsk days), Toney was there to reassert Brentford's advantage from the spot. That's 15 FPL goals for him.
Brentford retake the lead on this Ivan Toney PK.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 6, 2023
He almost scored No. 16 from Chiswick.
FROM WAYYYY DOWNTOWN... that was close. #MyPLMorning | #BREFUL pic.twitter.com/mkDNBXAG0S
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) March 6, 2023
Fulham kept bombing forward with Robinson down the left and Kenny Tete on the right, but Brentford put the game to bed in the 85th minute. Robinson got beat out on the left by Kevin Schade, forcing Ream over to cover and leaving Mathias Jensen open for the finish.
Carlos Vinícius pulled one back for Fulham with the final kick of the match for a final scoreline of 3-2.
Brentford remain unbeaten over a 12-game league span dating back to Oct. 29 (six wins, six draws). The defeat for Fulham is their first since Jan. 23 and ends a four-game unbeaten run. The Cottagers still have an FA Cup quarterfinal to come against Manchester United on March 19.
