Fulham needed extra time to secure their spot in the English Premier League, and there are some facts and stats that are worthy of attention.
The Cottagers return to the EPL after ending the season in fourth place of the Championship, and once the team made it to the playoff stage, Scott Parker's men defeated Cardiff to earn a spot in the promotion match. The game against Brentford was everything but easy, as clearly shown by how the match was decided.
Joe Bryan's brace was crucial to secure the spot in the English top-flight, It was not an easy game for the white and black side, but it capped a massive effort by Scott Parker, who will go down in history with his team's win tonight.
Captained @FulhamFC as a player.
— SPORF (@Sporf) August 4, 2020
128 appearances over 4 years.
1st full season as a manager...
Leads @FulhamFC to promotion back into the @PremierLeague at the first time of asking.
Scott Parker, back in the big time. pic.twitter.com/ICvuRCpEfj
Tonight's win has also set a record in the history of Championship playoff games.
Fulham become first club to win @SkyBetChamp play-off final twice in 3 seasons
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) August 4, 2020
Scott Parker 1st full season as manager:
Promoted to @premierleague pic.twitter.com/uuT04ImaNo
The Cottagers' accuracy when it comes to scoring free kicks has also earned them a spot among the most on-point teams in that department considering all top tiers in English football.
4 - Including play-offs, Fulham have scored four Championship goals via direct free-kicks this season, all coming in their last five matches; only Hull City & Man City (both five) have more league goals via direct free-kicks in England's top four tiers in 2019-20. Source. #BREFUL pic.twitter.com/mfYihb2mFp
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 4, 2020
And of course, this report would not be complete without mentioning Joe Bryan's performance.
Joe Bryan is the first player to score multiple goals in a Championship play-off final since Scott Sinclair netted a hat-trick for Swansea in 2011.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 4, 2020
Fulham are going up. pic.twitter.com/jGjeygTsPh
Joe Bryan in @SkyBetChamp this season (incl. play-off semi-finals)
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) August 4, 2020
40 shots
1 goal
In @SkyBetChamp play-off final
2 shots
2 goals pic.twitter.com/GZbimHPp0B