Brentford Manager Mark Warburton said he was delighted with the “tremendous” way his team fought back from a goal down to beat Fulham in a West London derby last night.
The Bees dominated most of the match but fell behind to a Hugo Rodallega goal after Harlee Dean conceded possession in his own half.
Dean responded to level inside the final ten minutes and Jota, on as a substitute, fired home the winner in stoppage time, with the help of a deflection from Fulham defender Dan Burn.
Mark, speaking after the match, said his team were “excellent” in the first half and hailed Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli for his performance including a save from Toumani Diagouraga that was described as “magnificent”.
He said they dropped a little for a section of the second half, when Fulham scored, but responded, added energy and won the match.
“I was delighted,” said Mark.
“I thought we were excellent in the first half.
“We had no problem at half time, we had created lots of chances and their keeper was outstanding.
“The save from Toumani, especially, was magnificent, a world class save.
“That was good; we were playing in the right areas, moving the ball quickly and with quality and we were delighted at half time.
“All we lacked was reward for our efforts.
“We started off brightly in the second half, which was good, but then we had a period, from 55 minutes to 70 where we were deeper, weren’t moving the ball with the same purpose and precision and we paid the price.
“They scored and we had to recognise that.
“We wanted to be higher and wanted more energy from the substitutes – Stuart Dallas, Jota, Nick Proschwitz – and we got that.
“To come back in that manner was tremendous.”
Fulham’s goal came when Dean slipped and passed straight to George Williams, the midfield player moved it on to Ross McCormack in the inside left channel and when the ball was played square, Rodallega slotted home.
Mark said he had no problem with his players making errors looking to play that way.
“We have to be brave,” he said.
“I am not concerned about a mistake from Harlee; I am more concerned if he doesn’t want the ball.
“Mistakes will come and he will learn.
“There was a tremendous reaction to go and get the goal.
“You can’t say ‘Be brave, get on the ball but don’t make a mistake’, it doesn’t work that way.
“It is about the character and commitment of the players but also their fitness levels, which is worked on every day in training with the medical and conditioning staff.”
Mark said his side dropped deeper, particularly Diagouraga and Jonathan Douglas in the centre of midfield, for a section of the second half.
He said he called on them to get further up the pitch and praised the way they didn’t hide.
The Bees equalised when Dean strode forward and played it wide to Dallas before heading in to the penalty area, when the ball came back in the centre half was there to lash in to the top corner.
They then won it as the clock ticked past the 90th minute.
Alan Judge played a superb cross field pass to Jota on the right touchline and the Spaniard killed it first time and set off, he weaved his way inside and let fly with a shot that flicked off Burn and beat Bettinelli.
“We were a bit deeper,” said Mark.
“Toumani and Dougie were deeper and they are influential players so we were ten yards deeper as a team.
“We won’t hurt the opposition from there.
“We wanted to be higher and play with more energy, be brave and want the ball.
“The players didn’t hide after conceding a goal.
“We showed good quality and we threatened.
“I was delighted for Harlee and for Jota to come on and finish in that fashion was tremendous.”
Mark said his side needed to lift the crowd in the second half.
“We were very good in the first half,” he said.
“This is becoming a tough place to come to.
“We have to maintain that and then go on the road and get the results we hope.
“The players are delighted for the supporters.
“When the winning goal went in it was tremendous.
“The fans went a bit quiet as we took our foot off the pedal.
“It was important for us to get Griffin Park rocking again.
“The goal from Harlee was a great strike and it was intimidating again, Fulham dropped deeper and we could impose ourselves.
“The supporters play a massive role in what we do.”
Brentford climbed to fourth in the table after the win and Mark said his side could get better.
“There is more to come,” he said.
“The belief is starting to flow now, which is excellent.
“We have to be more clinical and take the chances.
“We have Jon Toral, who is 19, Jota adjusting to life in England, Marcos Tébar, Sam Saunders, Tommy Smith and James Tarkowski, all not involved tonight.
“We are doing OK; we have to make sure we have cover.
“There is more to come and hopefully we can maximise what there is in the squad.
Full post-match reaction from Mark Warburton is available here for Bees Player subscribers.