Fulham beat Brentford in the Championship play-off final to secure an immediate return to the Premier League thanks to two extra-time goals from Joe Bryan.
The left-back caught Bees goalkeeper David Raya off guard from 40 yards in the 105th minute of the game at Wembley, with the Spaniard expecting a cross and then unable to scamper back and save Bryan's skidding low effort.
With the Bees pouring forward in search of an equaliser, Bryan burst forward and combined with Aleksandar Mitrovic before stabbing past Raya to make the game safe with three minutes remaining.
Henrik Dalsgaard pulled a goal back with a header from eight yards out in the fourth minute of added time, but it was too late for the Bees to spark a comeback.
The goals from Bryan were two rare moments of quality and quick-thinking in an otherwise cagey encounter between the two west London rivals, which finished goalless after 90 minutes.
Scott Parker celebrated wildly at full-time after leading Fulham to promotion in his first full season as manager.
The 39-year-old was unable to save them from top-flight relegation after replacing Claudio Ranieri in February 2019, but they can now prepare for a 15th campaign in the Premier League.
Parker was unable to call on top scorer Mitrovic, returning from injury, from the start - but the Serbia international showed composure to tee-up Bryan for the crucial second goal with a slick one-two inside the box.
Ivan Cavaleiro almost made it 3-0 for Fulham in the closing stages when he was denied by Raya, and Dalsgaard's header came far too late to set up a Bees comeback.
Bryan had only scored one goal this season for the Whites heading into the game, but proved to be the hero as his strikes secured a promotion which could be worth £135m to Fulham over the next three years.
Latest Stories
-
‘Taxpayers prefer credibility over cost savings’ – EC’s Bossman Asare on ballot reprint
2 mins -
Somaliland opposition leader Irro wins presidential election
21 mins -
Cisse exit ‘very sad’ for Senegal football president
50 mins -
Ugandan opposition figure reportedly detained
1 hour -
‘You’re claiming our girl,’ South Africans, Nigerians clash over Adetshina’s Miss Universe prize
1 hour -
Government blocks pension funds from offshore investment on currency concerns, sources say
1 hour -
Botswana, Mozambique & Tanzania complete Afcon 2025 field
2 hours -
‘Prove your competence’ – Martin Amidu to Bawumia over security failures
2 hours -
‘Lives lost in Bawku are votes silenced by government strategy, says Martin Amidu
2 hours -
Gisèle Pelicot condemns rape accused and says French society must change
2 hours -
Diddy faces more than two dozen lawsuits as he sits in jail
3 hours -
Thousands of postal workers in Canada strike over wages
3 hours -
Catholic Church rejects $40,000 from Kenya’s president
3 hours -
Jaguar unveils new logo ahead of electric relaunch
3 hours -
Bank of Ghana’s new head office: A misguided investment
4 hours