Silva praises players after Fulham’s derby triumph

Marco Silva praised his Fulham side after their dramatic win over Brentford in the west London derby. 

Aleksandar Mitrovic headed in a winner in added time after the Bees had fought their way back from 2-0 down to level the score.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s goal from Fulham’s first attack and a header from Joao Palhinha put Fulham two up inside the first 20 minutes, before goals from Christian Norgaard and Ivan Toney.

“I would like to win in a different way, to be honest,” Silva joked.

“But it was a great afternoon for us. The way we played that first half, everybody at this football club has to be really pleased.

“We were the best team. I’m really pleased for the players with the way we played in the first half and the way we reacted after the equaliser as well.

“The reaction was really, really good. Our fans are, for sure, happy and proud of the team.”

Silva handed 19-year-old forward Jay Stansfield a start out wide due to an injury to winger Neeskens Kebano, while Manor Solomon and Harry Wilson also remain out long-term.

But the Fulham boss says Kebano’s injury is “not serious”, though he is hoping for more reinforcements in the attacking areas soon.

“All the injuries are coming at the same time for the same position,” Silva said.

“It’s creating a big problem for us. Of course we have to do something in the next (few) days in the market.

“Kebano will be nothing really serious, I hope. It will be some days and let’s see if he ready, not for the Carabao Cup, but for the next match against Arsenal.

“But let’s see what we can do as well. The other two (Solomon and Wilson) we know, unfortunately, will be long-term.

“Let’s see what will happen. Jay did well but of course we need more solutions because it was a really intense game and in the second half we needed more solutions on the bench, with more quick players in the attack line to give even more problems to them.”