Alex Iwobi delivered a sensational performance at Craven Cottage on Saturday night, inspiring Fulham to a thrilling 3-1 comeback victory over Brentford in the English Premier League. The Nigerian international produced a breathtaking display of skill and composure, scoring a well-taken equalizer and then setting up a goal just 98 seconds later, completely transforming the momentum of the game in his team’s favor.
The London derby began with Fulham looking shaky, and Brentford capitalized when Mikkel Damsgaard opened the scoring for the visitors in the 20th minute. The early setback silenced the home supporters and gave Brentford confidence as they dictated play in the opening exchanges. However, Marco Silva’s men gradually grew into the contest, with Iwobi at the heart of their attacking moves, constantly testing the Bees’ defense with his movement and quick decision-making.
Iwobi’s brilliance shifts the balance
The turning point came in the 38th minute when Iwobi showed his poacher’s instinct, reacting quickest to a loose ball after Saša Lukić’s deflected effort caused chaos in the Brentford box. Without hesitation, the Super Eagles star smashed the ball into the net to level the score at 1-1, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Barely had the celebrations ended when Iwobi struck again—this time with his vision. Picking up possession near the halfway line, he split Brentford’s defense with a perfectly timed through ball for Harry Wilson. The Welsh winger kept his composure and slotted a low drive past goalkeeper Mark Flekken to hand Fulham the lead. In less than two minutes, Iwobi had turned the game on its head, igniting wild celebrations among the Craven Cottage faithful.
The quickfire double stunned Brentford, who struggled to regain their composure. Fulham, buoyed by the energy of their supporters, pressed high and maintained control of the game going into halftime. In the second half, Silva’s men continued to dominate, and their persistence paid off when Rodrigo Muniz added a third goal, effectively killing off Brentford’s hopes of a comeback.
Iwobi’s consistency shines through
With his goal and assist, Iwobi now has three direct goal contributions in Fulham’s opening five league matches of the season. His growing influence highlights his consistency, having ended the previous campaign with nine goals and six assists in 38 appearances—a record that made him one of Fulham’s standout performers as they narrowly missed out on European football.
Marco Silva has often praised Iwobi’s versatility, intelligence, and relentless work rate, qualities that were on full display against Brentford. Whether operating as an attacking midfielder, wide playmaker, or deeper midfielder, Iwobi has become indispensable to Fulham’s setup, and his match-winning performance further cements his reputation as one of the Premier League’s most reliable African stars.
Nigerian stars in focus
While Iwobi stole the headlines with his dazzling display, other Nigerians also featured in the matchday discussions. Calvin Bassey played his part in Fulham’s defense, helping keep Brentford’s attack under control after their early goal. For Brentford, Frank Onyeka remained an unused substitute, while Fulham’s Samuel Chukwueze was also left on the bench as Silva opted for a more settled lineup.
The spotlight, however, belonged to Iwobi, whose brilliance ensured Fulham not only secured three crucial points but also maintained their strong start to the season. His display left fans, pundits, and neutrals alike in awe, proving once again why he continues to be a vital figure for both club and country.
For Fulham supporters, it was more than just a win—it was a reminder of the magic that Iwobi can produce in a matter of seconds, a quality that could be pivotal as the season progresses.