IN theory, this game should have been a thrill a minute.
Two teams fighting for a European spot, separated by just three points in the table and only three miles on a map.
Bernd Leno made a stunning save late on Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
The West London derby failed to catch fire at the Gtech Credit: PA
But this West London derby was about as exciting as you would expect from a Brentford team that has drawn their last six games in all competitions and their visitors that have the fourth-worst away record in the league.
Keith Andrews’ high-flying Bees have overachieved all season, aiming for a place in Europe for the first time in the club’s history.
And they had an opportunity to hold one of their rivals for that place at arm’s length with a win over Fulham.
Victory for the Bees would have piled pressure on the teams above them, effectively ending Fulham’s hopes of returning to Europe for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
But neither team really got going here at the Gtech Community Stadium, with both squandering golden opportunities to take the lead in the first half.
Igor Thiago missed the chance to go level in the golden boot race with Erling Haaland, heading wide just 10 minutes in when Mathias Jensen flicked in a dangerous cross.
The Brazilian, who has already achieved the best ever Prem return of any Brentford player, will have been kicking himself for missing the chance to add to his tally.
Thiago has been the driving force behind Brentford’s success this season, scoring a whopping 44 PER CENT of all their league goals.
But the towering striker seemed to forget his shooting boots, and a few minutes later, Timothy Castagne denied him another chance with a brilliant block.
Fulham missed a huge opportunity of their own when Ryan Sessegnon snatched an effort inside the box that flew over the bar on the half-hour mark.
What had promised to be a slugging match between two European outsiders was turning into a slog for the fans inside the stadium.
Frustration grew in the Brentford crowd as home fans groaned about a lack of creativity from their side.
Those groans only got louder just before half-time when Keane Lewis-Potter missed perhaps the match’s best opportunity from eight yards out.
The makeshift left-back had done all the hard work by sitting down two Fulham defenders with a delicious dragback.
But, in a crowded area, he showed a lack of composure, clipping his effort over Bernd Leno’s bar from point-blank range.
The second half was even more frustrating for Brentford, who missed more opportunities to go ahead through Dango Ouattara and Mikkel Damsgaard.
As time ticked on, Brentford began to turn the screw and started firing a stream of balls into the box.
With just seconds of regulation time remaining, Leno pulled off a sensational reaction save to deny Ouattara from close range and effectively earn his team a point.
Fulham, meanwhile, didn’t even register a shot on target for the entire game.
Their travelling support expected far more, especially since a win could have thrown them right amongst the fight for a place in Europe.
An apparent hamstring injury for Alex Iwobi will also be a blow for Marco Silva’s side.
Brentford, on the other hand, will feel that this is a huge chance wasted to push closer to European qualification.
Not least because the teams around them are seemingly floundering in recent weeks.
However, with former boss Thomas Frank amongst the spectators inside the Gtech, it was a reminder of how far Andrews has already taken this Brentford side.
The Bees, who have only lost once since January, are genuine competitors for the top six places this season, having finished 16th and 10th in their previous two campaigns.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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