Bernd Leno’s point blank save at the death denied Brentford all three points as Saturday’s West London derby with Fulham ended 0-0.
How much the Fulham keeper actually knew about it remains up for debate, but what looked a certain goal from yards out after the sweetest of connections with KLP’s cross turned out to be nothing more than an ‘if only’ moment. The opportunity to take all three points and overtake Chelsea (who would subsequently lose 1-0 to Manchester United) fluttering away in the lunchtime sunshine. The Bees at least ending the day level on points with the sixth-placed Blues.
In truth, there was only one side in this game. Brentford battering away at the door but unable to find a way through a visiting team set up to ‘not lose’. Fulham achieved that objective after ending the game with zero shots on target, whilst not even coming close to threatening Caoimhin Kelleher in nets. The Cottagers’ frontline as impotent as their support from the stands.
The Bees, by contrast, at least tried to score. Thiago glancing a header just wide in the opening minutes. It was a good effort, even allowing for the close attentions of Joachim Andersen. The centre-back climbing all over the Brentford front man as though he was his personal Mount Everest.
KLP working an opportunity through sublime skill on the ball, but then dinking it over just prior to half time. Nathan Collins with a couple of chances from set-pieces, heading over and also against Thiago in the second half. Dango Ouattara, with the best of the efforts, even prior to that save. Creating room and twice firing goalwards, only to see Leno in the right place at the right time to gather comfortably.
In the end, though, there was no way through. The visitors defending deep. The Bees struggling to work multiple opportunities with the ball going backwards and sideways as much as it did forwards. Keith opting to leave the potential of Donovan and Nelson on the bench rather than freshen up any tired legs. Kelleher’s goal never under serious threat as the visitors seemed content to kill the ball rather than grind towards the Brentford end.
It was a strategy assisted by referee Paul Tierney, who seemed to be moonlighting as a member of the Brice Samba fan club. Restarts were allowed to drag with frustrating regularity, whilst having given an early yellow to Saša Lukić, the man in the middle then seemed to lose his cards.
Harry Wilson, in particular, for scything through Damsgaard, but also Bassey and Chukwueze lucky to avoid censure. The game playing out regardless, rather than because of, the officials, as his assistants provided an equal lack of support.
Strong officiating might have made some difference, but one got the feeling that Fulham could have locked this one out all day long. They had no desire to go and win it. The Bees, despite their best endeavours, unable to find a way through on this occasion. The most celebratory moment of the day, perhaps reserved for the quite incredible pre-match ‘Born to Run’ video. Kudos to whomever at the club put that one together.
That’s football. A fifth draw in a row for Brentford, yet somehow still closing the gap on sixth place and not being overtaken. At least, by close of business Saturday.
Of course, it is frustrating not to get the win, given both the prize at stake and the opposition, but with just five games to go, there could be way, way worse positions to be in. Spurs, we’re looking at you. What must the watching Thomas Frank have been thinking?
Instead, The Bees now have a trip to Manchester United to look forward to next Monday. Keith Andrews will take his team to Old Trafford on a six-match unbeaten run, having not lost since the home reverse to Brighton two months ago.
That’s all to come. But for now, it’s time to look at the top five player ratings from this game. Five points awarded for the star player, four for second, three for third, etc., etc. The overall winner of our player of the season then determined after game 38 when the final tallies are confirmed.
Star player (5 points) Keane Lewis-Potter
Thank goodness Keith stuck with KLP at left wing-back. I had half a thought before kick-off that he may look to mix things up in defence, but, instead, he kept things as was.
The reward for this was Keane playing out of his skin. The tone was set very early doors with a loose ball in front of the North Stand. It looked as though it could spell trouble for the Bees, but was not only won back in the most delightful of styles, it was then turned into one of those gallops up the flank he specialises in.
It was a game where KLP demonstrated every trick in his book. Tackles, runs, nutmegs (oh, delicious), efforts at goal, and playing the ball into the danger zone. His high-tempo movement and touch, on an afternoon when the Bees were playing a lot of short passes between themselves, were standout.
Second (4 points) Mikkel Damsgaard
If Keane was the man ‘most likely to’ down the flanks, then Mikkel scoops the honours through the middle.
Aside from his also looking like he might have scored in the second half – what a connection as the ball went just wide – he worked his socks off. Running. Driving. Probing. Pushing. Tackling, too. The post-match stat count showing that nobody made more interceptions than Mikkel. Asking questions all the time and reducing his opponents to foul means rather than fair.
It was a shame that he was so off his game last time out, albeit that was subsequently explained, but how nice to have him back to his best for the final push.
Third (3 points) Mathias Jensen
Another of those games where Mathias shows his consistency. On a hard-fought afternoon, it looked as though he may also have the power to unlock the Fulham backline.
Alas, not, but it was the sort of game where even towards the death, he still gave the impression that anything could happen when he was on the ball. Indeed, with Brentford having passed the period of ‘We’ve scored too early” (there is no pessimism like football pessimism), Jensen seemed to step up another gear in the last gasp search for that winning goal.
Alas, it wasn’t to be. Perhaps he’s just saving them for Old Trafford.
Fourth (2 points) Michael Kayode
Thunderous. His work rate once more second to none. The perpetual motion machine at right back in a constant state of readiness to try and lock out any attempt by the visitors down that side. Charging down the wing himself like his life depended on it. This chaser of lost causes is giving it his all.
Fifth (1 point) Sepp van den Berg
For all Fulham couldn’t hit a barn door with a banjo, they still had their moments of threat. When they did, Sepp was outstanding in the middle. Snuffing out the merest hint but then taking it forward.
Thinking back on this one, anybody could have entered the top five. Nathan Collins equally strong. Schade put a shift in for little reward. Yarmo filling the Vitaly ‘unsung hero’ role. Dango keeping Leno’s hands warm. Kelleher with no saves to make but totally unflappable when the ball was in the area. Thiago working so hard, at both ends.
Yet for me, Sepp stood out just ahead of all these and so takes the final point.
All of which means there is no change in the top five, although Kayode’s consistency sees him stretch further ahead of our leading goal scorer. Next stop, Manchester…
- 1st Michael Kayode – 61 points
- 2nd Igor Thiago – 55 points
- 3rd Caoimhín Kelleher – 43 points
- 4th Mikkel Damsgaard – 42 points
- 5th Mathias Jensen – 40 points
