Fulham's Joe Bryan is congratulated by goalkeeper Marek Rodak after he scores his second goal during the English Championship Play Off soccer final between Fulham and Brentford, at Wembley Stadium, in London, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
LONDON (AP) - Fulham secured an instant return to the Premier League on Tuesday after one season away by beating west London rival Brentford 2-1 in the Championship playoff final.
Joe Bryan scored twice in extra time at Wembley to give Fulham the win in what is widely called the most lucrative game in football. Fulham will receive at least 135 million pounds ($176 million) over three years after securing promotion, a year after being relegated from the world's richest football league.
Fulham owner Shahid Khan failed with a bid to buy Wembley a year ago, and his team had to celebrate in an empty stadium on Tuesday due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Bryan broke the deadlock after catching goalkeeper David Raya by surprise with a free kick from nearly 35 yards in the 105th minute as both teams expected a cross into the box.
'œThe goalkeeper comes ridiculously far off his line,'ť Bryan said.
The left back netted again in the 117th minute after playing a one-two with Aleksandar Mitrovic to clinch promotion in Scott Parker's first full season in charge of Fulham.
Brentford, which boasted a 59-goal strike force in Said Benrahma, Bryan Mbeumo and Ollie Watkins, was kept in check in the most important match of the season.
Henrik Dalsgaard's header in the third minute of stoppage time was too late for Brentford, which was trying to return to the top division after a 73-year absence.
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Fulham's Joe Bryan, third left, celebrates scoring his team's first goal of the game with his teammates during the English Championship Play Off soccer final between Fulham and Brentford, at Wembley Stadium, in London, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
Brentford goalkeeper David Raya Martin, left, misses the ball from Fulham's Joe Bryan for the opening goal during the English Championship Play Off soccer final between Fulham and Brentford, at Wembley Stadium, in London, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
Brentford's Josh Dasilva, in air and Fulham's Joe Bryan battle for the ball , during the English Championship Play Off soccer final between Fulham and Brentford, at Wembley Stadium, in London, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
Brentford's Josh Dasilva, left, and Fulham's Bobby Decordova-Reid vie for the ball, during the English Championship Play Off soccer final between Fulham and Brentford, at Wembley Stadium, in London, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)
The Associated Press
Fulham's Bobby Decordova-Reid shoots during the English Championship Play Off soccer final between Fulham and Brentford, at Wembley Stadium, in London, Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)
The Associated Press