Jota gives Bees dramatic derby triumph

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Brentford 2 Fulham 1

Jota netted an injury-time winner as Brentford came from behind to snatch a dramatic victory in the West London derby.

Hugo Rodallega put Fulham in front on 57 minutes but Harlee Dean equalised nine minutes from time.

It was Dean’s mistake that lead to Fulham’s goal – the defender slipping and giving away possession to allow Ross McCormack to find Rodallega unmarked inside the box.

But Dean steered a right-footed shot into the top corner before Jota’s effort deflected off Dan Burn and beat unlucky keeper Marcus Bettinelli right at the death.

In-form Brentford should have been ahead at the break but were denied by three excellent saves from Bettinelli.

The 22-year-old, who recovered from a knock that kept him out of the England Under-21s side in midweek, saved well from Jon Toral’s early diving header before pushing the impressive Toumani Diagouraga’s shot around the post.

Bettinelli also saved well from Alan Judge’s free-kick, while Fulham went close in the first half through Rodallega’s close-range header.

The Whites improved after the break, with McCormack testing keeper David Button shortly before he capitalised on Dean’s misplaced pass and set up Rodallega for his seventh goal of the season.

Brentford responded well, however, and Dean scored a rare goal before Jota’s strike sparked scenes of wild celebrations among the home fans.

Brentford (4-3-3): Button; Odubajo, Craig, Dean, Bidwell; Diagouraga (Jota 74), Douglas, Toral (Dallas 64); Pritchard, Gray (Proschwitz 83), Judge.
Subs not used: Bonham, Saunders, Smith, Tarkowski.

Fulham (4-3-3): Bettinelli; Zverotic, Burn, Bodurov, Stafylidis; Williams, Parker, Christensen; Ruiz (Eisfeld 73), Rodallega, McCormack.
Subs not used: Kiraly, Hutchinson, Roberts, Woodrow, Dembele, Hyndman.

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