Fulham 3-1 Brentford Player Ratings: Alex Iwobi 8.5/10 Rated as Cottagers Come From Behind in a 3-1 Derby Win

What a comeback win by the host at Craven Cottage! This match was a classic tale of two halves, or more accurately, a tale of two frantic minutes. Brentford came out of the blocks looking sharp, and they deservedly took the lead through a smart finish from Mikkel Damsgaard. At that point, you could feel a bit of tension around the ground. The home fans were getting restless.

But then, football happened. Fulham, who had been knocking on the door with several blocked shots, just exploded into life. The turnaround was breathtakingly quick. First, Alex Iwobi bundled home an equalizer, and before we could even catch our breath, Harry Wilson curled in a beauty to completely flip the script before halftime. It was an incredible response that showed real character.

The second half felt a lot more controlled by the home side, especially after an unfortunate own goal from Ethan Pinnock gifted them a two-goal cushion. Rodrigo Muniz thought he'd added a fourth, only for VAR to cruelly deny him, but it didn't matter in the end. It was a deserved victory for Fulham, built on a blistering first-half comeback and a solid second-half performance. Brentford will be kicking themselves for letting that lead slip so dramatically. Here are the Fulham vs Brentford player ratings.

Fulham Player Ratings vs Brentford

Here are the Fulham player ratings vs Brentford.

Goalkeeper

Bernd Leno - 6.5: We felt he couldn't have done much about Damsgaard’s opener; it was a well-placed shot. He made a couple of important saves when called upon, particularly one in the second half. His distribution was decent, though he got a booking late on for time-wasting, which seemed a bit unnecessary given the scoreline.

Defenders

Kenny Tete - 7.0: A really solid and reliable performance from Tete. He was composed on the ball, boasting a high pass completion rate, and he won the majority of his duels. What stood out was his calmness under pressure. He didn't offer a huge amount going forward, but his defensive solidity was key to snuffing out Brentford's attacks on his flank.

Calvin Bassey - 7.5: From our perspective, Bassey was a colossal presence at the back. He seemed to be in the way of everything, making two crucial blocked shots and numerous clearances. His passing was near-perfect, allowing Fulham to build from the back with confidence. He was strong, decisive, and looked every bit the top-class defender.

Joachim Andersen - 7.0: The captain led by example with a commanding defensive display. His stats speak for themselves, with a staggering 11 clearances. He was dominant in the air and his long-range passing helped launch several Fulham attacks. He was the organizer and the rock on which the defence was built.

Ryan Sessegnon - 6.5: It was a decent outing against his former club, though maybe not his most influential. He got forward to support the attack and had one shot on target that was saved. Defensively, he was mostly solid, making four tackles. However, he did lose possession a few too many times for our liking.

Midfielders

Harry Wilson - 8.0: What a strike for the go-ahead goal. It was a moment of pure quality that defined the match. Beyond the goal, he was a constant creative force, creating three chances for his teammates. He was buzzing with energy and his left foot was a weapon all evening. A fantastic performance.

Sander Berge - 6.5: A quiet but very important performance in the middle of the park. He did the dirty work, breaking up play and keeping possession ticking over with simple, effective passes. You don't always notice him, but his presence provided the balance that allows the more creative players to shine.

Alex Iwobi - 8.5: Our man of the match, without a doubt. He dragged Fulham back into the game with a crucial goal and provided an assist. He was simply electric, driving forward with the ball and linking up play beautifully. His energy was infectious, and he was at the heart of everything good Fulham did. A superb, all-action display.

Saša Lukić - 6.0: A very mixed performance from Lukić. He was certainly involved, getting into shooting positions and trying to make things happen. However, he was also erratic, conceding fouls, picking up a yellow card, and making a costly error that led to a chance for Brentford. A bit too much chaos in his game tonight.

Josh King - 5.5: A difficult night for King, which was a disappointment to see. The data shows an error leading to a goal, a major mark against his name. He also received a yellow card for simulation, which never looks good. He struggled to impose himself on the game before being substituted.

Forwards

Rodrigo Muniz - 7.0: A tireless performance from the frontman. He didn't score, but he provided the crucial assist for Iwobi's equalizer and was a nightmare for Brentford's defenders. He won an incredible number of aerial duels and held the ball up brilliantly. He was so unlucky to have his second-half goal chalked off by VAR.

Substitutes

A raft of substitutes came on for Fulham, including Raúl Jiménez, Emile Smith Rowe, and Tom Cairney, to see the game out. They helped maintain control and ensured there were no late scares for the home side. They did their jobs professionally as the game was already won.

Manager

M. Saraiva da Silva - 8.0: We have to give him huge credit. His side went a goal down in a derby, but he clearly has instilled a belief in this squad. The reaction was immediate and decisive. His tactics allowed his key attacking players to find space and hurt Brentford, leading to a comfortable win in the end. A great day at the office for the gaffer.

Brentford Player Ratings vs Fulham

Here are the Brentford player ratings vs Fulham.

Goalkeeper

Caoimhín Kelleher - 5.5: A tough evening for the keeper. While he couldn't do much for Wilson's brilliant finish, he looked a bit shaky on the other goals. Conceding three is never good, and he only made two saves all game. He didn't seem to command his box with the authority we've seen from him in the past.

Defenders

Sepp van den Berg - 6.0: He had a difficult assignment against a fluid Fulham attack. His passing was tidy, but he struggled in his one-on-one duels and was part of a backline that looked vulnerable. Not a disastrous performance, but he was on the back foot for most of the game.

Ethan Pinnock - 4.5: It was a horror show for the defender, and you have to feel for him. The own goal was a truly unfortunate moment that effectively ended the contest. Before that, he looked uncharacteristically nervous. Being subbed off after that moment summed up his terrible night.

Nathan Collins - 6.0: He fought hard and tried to keep the defence organised. He made some key clearances and blocks to prevent further damage. However, he also committed several fouls, picked up a yellow card, and ultimately captained a side that conceded three goals. A battling but ultimately losing effort.

Keane Lewis-Potter - 5.5: From our perspective, he really struggled to get into the game. He offered very little going forward and was defensively suspect at times. It was no surprise to see him substituted in the second half as he just wasn't making an impact.

Michael Kayode - 6.0: He was one of the few Brentford players who looked like they might create something. He was busy, attempted several dribbles, and put in a couple of key passes. However, the flip side was that he lost possession far too frequently, which often put his team under pressure.

Midfielders

Jordan Henderson - 6.0: A surprisingly quiet game from the veteran midfielder. He was neat in possession but failed to stamp his authority on the match. We expected him to grab the game by the scruff of the neck after they scored, but it just didn't happen for him.

Yegor Yarmolyuk - 6.5: A decent showing amidst a poor team performance. He looked composed on the ball and worked hard to break up Fulham's attacks. He was one of the few who could walk off the pitch with his head held relatively high. A tidy player.

Mikkel Damsgaard - 7.5: Brentford's shining light. He took his goal brilliantly and was their most dangerous player by a country mile. His delivery from set-pieces and open play caused problems, but he couldn't do it all on his own. His influence waned as Fulham took control of the game.

Forwards

Kevin Schade - 6.0: A frustrating night for the forward. He showed plenty of effort and running but lacked the final product. He lost the ball far too many times and never really looked like scoring. The desire was there, but the quality wasn't.

Igor Thiago - 6.0: He was tasked with a difficult job, battling against Andersen and Bassey with little support. He won a few physical duels but was isolated and starved of service. He had one header saved but was otherwise kept very quiet before his substitution.

Substitutes

Brentford made several changes, with players like Kristoffer Ajer and Vitaly Janelt coming on. However, they were introduced at a time when the game was already slipping away. They failed to change the momentum of the match, as Fulham were already in cruise control.

Manager

K. Andrews - 5.0: It all started so well. The game plan worked perfectly for 20 minutes, and they got their goal. But the way his team collapsed defensively in those two minutes before halftime is a massive concern. He seemed unable to rally his troops in the second half, and his side looked beaten long before the final whistle.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Alex Iwobi