Brentford 3 - 0 Fulham

Scott Hogan’s explosive brace inspired Brentford to an emphatic derby victory over an insipid Fulham at Griffin Park.

Sam Saunders opened the scoring after just five minutes to set the tone, before Hogan - making his first Bees start - slid home his first two minutes later.

The 24-year-old then volleyed home his fifth goal of the season just before the interval to seal the points for Dean Smith’s men .

And the result will surely ignite Bees fans’ promotion hopes for next season, while adding to Slavisa Jokanovic’s already vast list of woes.

The hosts started brightly but were nearly made to pay for a blind back pass which found Ross McCormack and Lasse Vigen Christensen, but the visitors were wasteful.

Brentford’s high pressing approach reaped dividends soon after, however, when Saunders finished a slick counter attacking move by lofting the ball over the onrushing Marcus Bettinelli.

Jokanovic’s men were still reeling when Hogan, making his first Brentford start, slotted underneath the Whites keeper to double the Bees’ lead following a pinpoint Konstantin Kerschbaumer through ball.

The Whites’ lethargic attitude was epitomised when Maxime Colin picked up the ball on the halfway line and strolled, at a canter, through four Fulham players.

And, to the hosts’ delight, Hogan volleyed home from the resulting corner to ensure Brentford’s recent voodoo over the Cottagers was on course to continue.

McCormack should have given the visitors a glimmer of hope before the interval, though, when played through on goal - only to see his effort bounce back off the woodwork.

The Scottish forward was again unfortunate not to pull a goal back in the second half after his delicate lob over keeper David Button rebounded off the crossbar.

And Moussa Dembele, on as a half time substitute, should have registered on the scoresheet moments later when clean through, but was denied by Yoann Barbet’s last-ditch sliding tackle.

Nico Yennaris tested Bettinelli once more with a stinging effort which was tipped over the bar, before McCormack tested Button's reflexes with a 25-yard free kick, but Brentford ultimately settled for a comfortable victory.

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