Fulham hero Bryan credits Parker and his dad for 40-yard free-kick that caught Brentford keeper out

Two-goal hero Joe Bryan could not hide his emotions after Fulham proved the doubters wrong by sealing an instant Premier League return.

The defender’s extra-time brace earned a 2-1 victory over Brentford in the Championship play-off final at Wembley. 

Scott Parker’s side created the better chances, but had a terrible misjudgement by Bees goalkeeper David Raya to thank for the opener in the 105th minute.

Joe Bryan’s brace earned a 2-1 victory over Brentford in the Championship play-off final

Bryan could not hide his emotions after Fulham proved the doubters wrong at Wembley

Bryan’s set-piece from 40 yards beat Raya at his near post and, while there were further goals in the second period of extra-time, it was this error by Brentford’s Spanish keeper which proved crucial. 

After his opener, Bryan grabbed a second in the 117th minute to confirm the result and, even though Henrik Dalsgaard pulled one back for Brentford, they will start life in their new ground still in the Championship.

Afterwards Bryan: ‘I’m not the hero, every single one of them boys, staff, that’s been with us all season, we’ve been written off 10 times. We took it to them, we f******, excuse me, we bounced back up.  

Bryan celebrates with Fulham boss Scott Parker after sealing instant return to Premier League

‘He (Parker) said whip it in the near post as the keeper comes ridiculously far off his line, that’s what we practiced. 

‘I did that with my dad, he used to give me the eyes in goal.

‘I’m quite fit you know. Lockdown all I could do was run, so it’s paid off today.

The defender scored a brilliant 35-yard free-kick and added a second late in extra-time

‘The team spirit at this place is unbelievable. We had one goal and we’ve achieved it today.’

The Craven Cottage club will earn around £135million for bouncing back from relegation last season and this result also gives rookie boss Parker a first success of his fledgling managerial career.