The Tanner Report: Fulham 2 Brentford 1

Nearly 50 years ago the shoulder of John Mitchell forced the ball over the Birmingham line in the dying minutes to take Fulham to their first FA Cup Final.

Last night it was the shoulder of Harry Wilson that presented Fulham with victory in the 97th minute.

Brentford had taken the lead against the run of play through a pile driver by Jarelt and defended stoutly.

With just one forward-Raul Jimenez and then Rodrigo Muniz it was hard to see from where the equaliser would come.

Harry Wilson, acquired from Liverpool, had become a forgotten man behind Adama Traoré, Alex Iwobi and Reiss-Nelson as an attacking wide player but he produced the goods when he came off the bench.

For Wales he has scored in his last 3 matches but his Fulham future seemed up till last night uncertain.

I watched the game on Sky.

In the build up there was a lengthy analysis on why Brentford do not shoot outside the penalty area, which they did. Effectively.

Dmitri Berbatov surprised me with his eloquence. He was signed by Martin Jol but was a moody player of undoubted talent. As he said £they all count …” and praised Wilson for attacking the box if his execution was lucky.

Between the Wilson goals Brentford – in only their second shot on goal – nearly equalised and it took a fine save by Bernd Leno to defy them.

The message is “Don’t leave a game before the end”. Two years ago a late goal by Alex Mitrovic achieved victory.