Fulham’s Four Key Players Who Powered Their Path to Success

Following Monday’s ecstasy, Fulham fans worldwide have been thinking about Harry Wilson’s game-changing cameo. Anticipating an ecstatic yell from the Bees after the last whistle, we were presented to our greatest London Derby comeback, if not the greatest in our history.

As Wilson was surrounded by his teammates, the normally cool Marco Silva sprinted out of his box and fist-pumped the crowd. It was made even sweeter when former Brentford player Fabio Carvalho squandered a golden opportunity to earn the club an undeserved three points. Limbs at the Hammersmith End evoked memories of the historic Europa League semi-final versus Hamburg 14 years ago. There was another tidal wave in the Thames.

Marco and his staff, together with the players, deserve full credit for their efforts now that the club is three points away from a Champions League position. Monday’s pandemonium made me ponder when the last time players stepped up to save Fulham, whether in relegation dogfights or promotion pushes. In honour of Harry’s exploits, we look back on four players who took matters into their own hands for the Cottagers.

Neeskens Kebano

Although he only left last year, Neeskens Kebano was an important player for the club, participating in two promotion campaigns, most notably under Scott Parker in 2019/20. As the team suffered at the conclusion of the season with back-to-back defeats to Leeds and Brentford, Kebano snatched our campaign by the scruff of the neck, scoring direct free-kicks in three successive games, exhibiting technical artistry that James Ward-Prowse would have admired.

His free kick against Cardiff in the first leg of the play-off semi-finals sent us on our way, and when the nerves were frayed at the Cottage after Cardiff halved the deficit, Kebano buried a strike in the bottom corner to send Fulham to the final. Who could forget the humorous Neeskens Diaries? He needs to be on this list because he had his own YouTube series, which allowed viewers to receive inside access to Motspur Park’s antics.

Joe Bryan

From the player who led us to Wembley to the man who dragged us across the final line. While our wingers dithered against Brentford in the play-off final, Joe Bryan took the initiative, producing two wonderful moments that drove the Fulham fans into a frenzy.
After a dismal 90 minutes, risks would be necessary to reach the promised land. Bryan took a massive one, tricking now-Arsenal veteran David Raya with a free kick from 40 yards for lift-off. Brentford were no mugs, with England’s Euros semi-final hero Ollie Watkins, the dependable Christian Norgaard and Mathias Jensen, and Premier League’s current second-highest goal scorer Bryan Mbeumo.

In the final moments, a maze-like run and one-two with Mitrovic saw him clean through before sliding past Raya into the far corner. Fingers pointed to the heavens in celebration, as if great Brazilian left back Nilton Santos was smiling down on the Bristol man. Joe Bryan, the beekeeper, should never be forgotten.

Pavel Pogrebynak

As a club, we don’t usually adopt chants for specific players, but who can forget the version of ‘Who let the Pog out’ inspired by Baha Men’s ‘Who let the Dogs Out’?
In January, the lanky Russian striker signed on loan from Stuttgart until the end of the season and quickly established himself. His start couldn’t have been better, scoring on his debut in a 2-1 win against Stoke and completing a hat-trick against Wolves.

Those goals were sandwiched by a memorable winner at Loftus Road in a 1-0 victory over QPR, eliciting jubilation in the away end and left former Fulham boss Mark Hughes fuming on the touchline. However, following that, Pog left the scene as swiftly as he appeared as quickly as he burst on. But he’ll never be forgotten.

Diomansy Kamara

Rewind to April 2008. Fulham were 19th in the Premier League, battling relegation and in serious need of points following a 2-0 home loss to Liverpool. All eyes were on Manchester, as failure versus Manchester City would almost certainly result in relegation. Things didn’t go exactly as planned. Fulham faced a hurdle to climb after falling behind 2-0 at halftime and already being relegated. Roy Hodgson’s team would need nothing more than a slight miracle. Diomansy Kamara went forward.

Six minutes after being introduced, the substitute made an immediate impact by squeezing a low shot between Joe Hart’s legs. The Fulham fans found their voice when Danny Murphy equalised after Joe Hart’s penalty save deflected in his way. Surely there wasn’t time for late drama? Clearly, Kamara missed the memo.

Deep into extra time, the striker surged forward once more, latching onto Murphy’s cutting pass and slamming the ball beyond Hart into the roof of the net. Victory sparked Fulham’s incredible ‘Great Escape’, as they went on to upset relegation rivals Birmingham and Portsmouth on the penultimate day of the season. Survival was ours.

Without the Kamara brace, our remarkable European excursion to Hamburg in 2010 would not have been feasible. Instead of facing Juventus, Wolfsburg, and Shakhtar, Fulham could have played a midweek slugfest versus Scunthorpe United. Undaunted Diomansy needs to be remembered.

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