Fulham quickly returned to the English Premier League after
two goals in overtime by left-back Joe Bryan to win 2-1 against
Brentford in the final promotion match at Wembley Stadium, Tuesday.
Brian opened the score near the end of the first overtime when
he noticed a goal away from Brentford keeper David Raya,
waiting for a cross from a long distance, but he took the free
kick directly into the net.
The Spanish goalkeeper reacted slowly to Brian’s shot,
but progress was due for coach Scott Parker, who was the best
party for most of the match.
Brian decided the victory for Fulham by scoring the second goal
three minutes before the end of the second extra time after he
paid close range after exchanging the ball with substitute striker Alexander Mitrovic.
Henrik Dalsgård narrowed the gap in the last moments, but there
was insufficient time to level the tie for Brentford, who were
looking for an appearance in the Premier League for
the first time since 1947.
“I am not the champion,” Brian said as his teammates celebrated
a quick return to the English Premier League, an achievement
that would give the club about 135 million pounds
($ 176.34 million) over three years.
“Each of these players, all of the technical staff and the fans
were with us during the whole season. This is really unbelievable.”
