Aleksandar Mitrovic’s late header helps Fulham end Brentford fightback

Aleksandar Mitrovic’s last-minute powerhouse header snatched Fulham a 3-2 win over local rivals Brentford at a rocking Craven Cottage. The Serbia striker converted Kevin Mbabu’s teasing far-post cross at the last, just as Fulham were fearing they had squandered victory after surrendering the 2-0 lead they established inside the opening 20 minutes.

Marco Silva’s team sealed their first win of the new Premier League campaign thanks to Mitrovic’s second goal of the term.

Brentford striker Ivan Toney saw two fine finishes ruled out for offside, only to make it what he thought would be third time lucky when he tapped home to level the scores at 2-2 in 71st minute. However Mitrovic grabbed the last word for Fulham in a hugely entertaining and high-quality top-flight battle.

Bobby Decordova-Reid had Fulham 1-0 to the good after just 45 seconds, before João Palhinha doubled that lead with a powerful header. Christian Nørgaard and Toney dragged Thomas Frank’s impressive Brentford back into the equation, but despite that commendable rally Fulham still found another gear.

Fulham can now look proudly back on an opening three games comprising creditable draws against Liverpool and Wolves, and now a win snatched in front of watching owner Shahid Khan.

Decordova-Reid had Fulham in front before Brentford had hardly even blinked. Mitrovic cut a low ball square into the six-yard box, Jay Stansfield’s strike was deflected on to the bar and back into the goalmouth where Decordova-Reid broke first from the melee to tap home.

Mitrovic thought he had doubled the lead by tapping in after David Raya palmed away his header but the striker was offside from the initial cross and the goal was chalked off. Palhinha did make it 2-0 a matter of