Four players who single-handedly dragged Fulham to glory

Oscar O’Kane chronicles the players who took matters into their own hands in SW6.

After the euphoria of Monday, Fulham fans around the world have been daydreaming about Harry Wilson’s game-changing cameo. Anticipating an elated cry from the Bees at the full-time whistle, we were treated to our greatest London derby comeback if not the greatest in our history.

The normally composed Marco Silva raced out of his box, fist pumping the crowd as Wilson was swarmed by his teammates. It was all made sweeter as former player Fabio Carvalho spurned a great opportunity to get an undeserved three points for Brentford. Limbs in the Hammersmith End were reminiscent of that famous Europa League semi-final bout against Hamburg 14 years ago. There was another tidal wave on the Thames.

Now three points off a Champion’s League spot, Marco and his staff deserve ultimate credit alongside the players. Monday’s madness made me wonder the last time players picked up the gauntlet to rescue Fulham whether or not in relegation dogfights or promotion pushes. In an ode to Harry’s heroics, we look back at four players who took matters into their own hands for the Cottagers.

Neeskens Kebano

Although he only left last year, Neeskens Kebano was an imperative player at the club, involved in two promotion pushes, notably under Scott Parker in 2019/20. As the club struggled at the tail end of the season after back-to-back defeat to Leeds and Brentford, Kebano took our campaign by the scruff of the neck, scoring direct free-kicks in three consecutive games, demonstrating an artistry in technique that James Ward-Prowse would have applauded.   

His free-kick against Cardiff in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals set us on our way and when the nerves jangled at the Cottage after Cardiff halved the deficit, a minute later Kebano buried a shot in the bottom corner to send Fulham to Wembley. Who can forget the comedic Neeskens Diaries? The fact that he had his very own YouTube series, so fans could get inside access to Motspur Park antics means he has to make this list.  

Joe Bryan

From the player who took us to Wembley to a man who dragged us over the finish line. While our wingers dithered against Brentford in the play-off final, Joe Bryan seized initiative, producing two glorious moments that sent the Fulham faithful into pandemonium.

After a drab 90 minutes, risks would have to be taken to get to the promised land. Bryan took an almighty one, deceiving now Arsenal stalwart David Raya with a freekick from 40 yards for lift-off. This Brentford side were no mugs, boasting England’s Euros semi-final hero Ollie Watkins, the dependable Christian Norgaard and Mathias Jensen and current second-top goal scorer in the Premier League Bryan Mbeumo.

In the dying embers, a mazy run and one-two with Mitrovic sent him clear through before coolly slotting past Raya into the far corner. Fingers pointed at the sky in celebration, perhaps legendary Brazilian left back Nilton Santos was smiling down on the man from the Bristol. The keeper of the Bees, Joe Bryan should never be forgotten.

Pavel Pogrebynak

As a club we don’t normally adopt chants for certain players but who can forget the rendition of ‘Who let the Pog out’ inspired by Baha Men’s, ‘Who let the Dogs Out’?

The lanky Russian striker signed from Stuttgart on loan until end of the season in January and burst onto the scene. His start couldn’t have gone any better, netting on his debut in a 2-1 victory against Stoke as well as achieving a complete hat-trick against Wolves.

Those goals were sandwiched by a notable winner at Loftus Road in a 1-0 win against QPR, sparking elation in the away end, leaving former Fulham manager Mark Hughes seething on the touchline. However, after that Pog burst off the scene as quickly as he burst on. But he’ll never be forgotten.

Diomansy Kamara

Rewind to April 2008. Fulham sat 19th in the Premier League, mired in a relegation battle and in desperate needs for points after a 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool. All eyes turned to Manchester, as defeat against Man City would all but assure relegation. Things didn’t exactly go to plan. 2-0 down at halftime and relegated as it stood, Fulham were left with a mountain to climb. Only a minor miracle would do for Roy Hodgson’s men. Up stepped Diomansy Kamara.

The substitute made an instant impact squeezing a low shot between Joe Hart’s legs, six minutes after his introduction. Then as Danny Murphy levelled the contest after Joe Hart’s penalty save rebounded in his path, the Fulham faithful found their voice. Surely there was no time for late drama? Clearly Kamara didn’t get the memo.

Deep in added time, the striker barraged forward once more, latching onto Murphy’s cutting pass to lash the ball past Hart into the roof of the net. Victory catalysed Fulham’s improbable ‘Great Escape’, subsequently defeating relegation rivals Birmingham and then Portsmouth on the final day of the season. Survival was ours.

Without that Kamara brace, our extraordinary European adventure on the road to Hamburg in 2010, wouldn’t have been possible. Instead of battling it out with the likes of Juventus, Wolfsburg and Shakhtar, Fulham could have been in a midweek slugfest against Scunthorpe United. Undaunted Diomansy deserves to be remembered.