Bernd Leno: Rodak can feel a little hard done by missing out today after two pretty solid starts and a clean sheet at wolves last week and in all honesty I don’t think the result would’ve been different if Rodak kept his place. However, Leno came in and provided a fairly solid showing, on numerous occasions his positioning allowed him to come out of his area and deal with some dangerous looking Brentford attacks, something which we haven’t seen enough of from Rodak but we’ll have to wait another week to really asses his shot stopping ability, there’ll be plenty of opportunities for that at the Emirates next week. 7
Kenny Tete: Another solid showing from Tete particularly in the first half, he dealt with Wissa well and was untroubled for the first 45, his legs started to run out a little in the second half though and Brentford were starting to find a worrying amount of space on Tete’s flank until he was replaced with Mbabu. 7
Tosin Adarabioyo: Dealt well with Toney in the first half and won everything thrown at him but struggled to keep him as close in the second and at times seemed to lack a little concentration but overall a solid performance with some really nice passes thrown in there, something we saw a lot last season. Diop may find it a little harder than expect to break up the partnership forming between Ream and Tosin. 7
Tim Ream: Despite conceding two goals I felt Ream was rock at the back again today, couldn’t be happier for him. He’s been absolutely brilliant so far this season and proved a lot of people wrong. To me he’s solidified his place for the foreseeable and if anyone is to be dropped in that backline, he looks the least likely. Another really solid display today, he looked like winning every 50/50 and it feels great to be shouting REEEAAAAM in the Premier League. 8
Antonee Robinson: Much like Tete on the other side Robinson started the game really well and impressed in the first 45, continuing a really great start this season after a few question marks were raised over whether he was the right player for us in that role. He was solid at the back and caused issues going forward but found himself under more pressure in the second half and struggled slightly to make as much of an impact at both ends but overall a solid display. 7
Joao Palhinha: Let’s start with that bullet header which put us 2 goals to the good after 20 minutes, it looked incredible from the top of the Hammy End and its hard to believe Palhinha is a Fulham player, still not sure how we pulled that off but fair play to whoever secured him! Aside from that he was a constant presence in the middle, perhaps he was fortunate not to see red for an elbow in the first half and he’ll have to watch himself but after the yellow he controlled himself well. 8
Harrison Reed: The combination of Palhinha and Reed is a dream, the work rate between them is absolutely amazing and wherever Palhinha isn’t, Reed is. We saw his ability in the Premier League under Parker so there wasn’t much question about whether he could do it for us again. He was an excellent ball winner today, and moved the ball well from deep. He couldn’t help himself to a speculative shot at 2-0 up but really should’ve slipped in Stansfield, his goal will come one day! 8
Andreas Pereira: I thought Pereira was brilliant today, he tired slightly towards the end but no one can blame him for that. He never stopped running and closing down players which Brentford really struggled with particularly early on. He was also fantastic on the ball, skilful again and manoeuvred his way into some great positions whilst also picking out some lovely passes. His deliveries from corners and free kicks were excellent and he put one right on the money for Palhinha, I’m sure he’ll rack up plenty of assists if he continues like this. 8
Jay Stansfield: A very respectable first premier league start for Jay, at 19 years of age he looked comfortable on the ball and wasn’t afraid to take players on. Early on he caused a lot of problems down the right and was in amongst the chaos before Decordova-Reid put us 1 up inside a minute. Soon after, he found his way past the backline and attempted to go alone when a square ball might’ve provided us a better opportunity but promising signs were there. I felt he began to fade a little and struggled to keep up with the pace but with a few more opportunities I think he could quickly find his feet, didn’t look out of place at all. 7
Aleksandar Mitrovic: It couldn’t have been anyone else. On hand to rise up at the back post and secure a Derby day victory, putting Toney firmly in his place. It was a superb header and throughout the game he caused Mee and Jansson problems, his finishing wasn’t fully up to scratch though as his free header in the first half was placed centrally giving Raya a routine save to make, he also found himself in on goal in the second half but couldn’t covert. Minutes before his winner he had a very similar chance but again couldn’t put it away although credit to Raya on this one as he made a fine save. 8
Bobby Decordova-Reid: A really solid performance, he worked tirelessly back and forth, found the back of the next early on and continued to show us that he’s actually much better player in the Premier League, perhaps where he has less time to think and just do, some great touches and bits of skill helped us get out of tight situations and put us on the front foot. 8
Substitues:
Tom Cairney and Kevin Mbabu: Both substitutes came on and had a massive impact. We were really starting to struggle and Brentford were on top and looking most likely to win the game. We were screaming out for a change and perhaps it should’ve come earlier but bringing these two on was pivotal. Cairney sured up the centre of the park where we had lost our grip and Mbabu’s energy prevented Brentford breaking down the left, he also provided a brilliant cross for the winning goal! 8
Shane Duffy: Came on for Mitrovic to preserve Fulham’s advantage during four minutes of stoppage time – winning a number of vital headers. 6
A quick note on Marco Silva, I really hope he’s here for the long haul. An excellent manager and what he’s done so far this season with little to work with has been incredible. I’m not slating our recruitment as I think we’ve done well and there will be more to come but with the injuries to Wilson, Solomon and now Kebano, to be getting three goals against a decent Brentford defence without them is really brilliant and the way he used the substitutes today impressed me.
Tim Ream has been unbelievable. His distribution is extremely overlooked. His anticipation to cut out passes and make key clearance has been phenomenal. I was completely wrong about him going into this season as were most. Many looking foolish now about comments made during the transfer window.
Thought Leno gave us that extra bit of confidence at the back. Harsh on Rodak but there was a more confident presence.
Agree with Stansfield re the 1st half. In the 2nd half he physically dropped off and found it hard to get in the game. Personally I think it was clear that he should have come off around the hour mark. Maybe if Silva has made the substitutions then we’d have stopped Brentford getting the equaliser. For me the subs stole the momentum back and won us the game. No question the subs were right but could have been earlier
Being a Chiswick lad I have had to put up with my Brentford mates for years telling me how good there team is. Thought we were brilliant yesterday & just deserved to edge it. My only criticism is that our Manager does not seem to make the most out of the 5 subs we can now bring on in a game. I thought the energy & intensity in first 35 mins was immense & I thought it was obvious we couldn’t keep that up for 90 mins. For me Stansfield was a massive bonus & he immediately looked comfortable at this level.Typical Mitro had a bit of an off day but still had the last laugh with an immense header. Positives all round. Ream was excellent at this rate Tosin May have to make way for Diop as he looked lightweight against Toney in the second half. Great performance all round, next week will be a massive test against Arsenal who currently look to be the best team in the league. COYWs!
Brilliant result, put those bees back in their hive, can their manager eating gum be any more disgusting, and finally with the biggest apology allowed, may I congratulate Tim Ream on proving what a good player he is in the top flight and what a bad judge I am. ?????????
Thank heaven its our wingers getting injured and not our midfield. Palhinha and Pereira have become irreplaceable already .
Agree with the players ratings. Have to say like many others that although Tim Ream had not really done it in his previous PL outings and l wasn’t sure about his presence this year…he has been immense hats off to him.
Both full back started well and had not so good second halves. The subs changed the flow of the match and Mitro kept plugging away and now has 3 for 3.
Next few matches will really see how far we have come but will not condem the season.
A more than pleasing start has been made COYW’s