Brentford 0-0 Fulham: Ivan Toney’s goal drought continues as west London rivals deliver derby to forget

Brentford and Fulham played out a goalless draw that was so dull that most of the 17,090 people who witnessed it had forgotten it by the time they left the Brentford Community Stadium.

Both clubs’ ambitions were largely met for another campaign leading to an anemic encounter on a sleepy afternoon.

It was a game that counted for west London’s bragging rights and extra income for Thomas Frank and Marco Silva to spend on new signings this summer, given every final place in the Premier table League is worth over £3 million more than the position below. .

Beyond that, neither set of players seemed too concerned about the first half result. There were investigations, but little concerned the motivation that comes from knowing that a season’s ambitions depended on it.

The first half hour saw plenty of effort, but only one notable goal attempt from either side. A poor clearance from Mikkel Damsgaard went straight to Alex Iwobi on the edge of the Brentford area. His right-footed shot was firm and true, but went narrowly over the crossbar.

Brentford and Fulham played out a goalless draw at the Gtech Community Stadium

Bees star Ivan Toney has now gone 10 Premier League games without a goal

Bryan Mbeumo came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half when his shot hit the bar.

At the other end, Bryan Mbeumo broke clear, but his shot clipped the outstretched boot of Fulham centre-back Calvin Bassey.

This touch was enough to send the ball against the bar.

The only other notable opportunities happened more by accident than consistent passing moves.

An Ethan Pinnock header supporting a Brentford foray looped towards Christian Norgaard on the right side of the area, but his volley from a falling ball was skewed just wide of the far post.

Then, just before half-time, Keane Lewis-Potter found himself confronted by Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.

The striker’s lob was heading towards goal until it was cleared under his own crossbar by covering Issa Diop.

The game was so placid that even the usually combative Joao Palhinha did not mount a challenge that would have even threatened to warrant a yellow card.

The Fulham midfielder came into the game on a booking to become the first player to collect 14 yellow cards in two separate seasons.

The second half began in a similarly relaxed manner, although Rodrigo Muniz should have given Fulham the lead six minutes after the break. His downward header from Iwobi’s cross lacked conviction and was easily kept out by Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken.

Timothy Castagne then headed needlessly over from a corner as the visitors missed another chance.

Alex Iwobi struggled to inspire Fulham in a dreary west London derby on Saturday

Raul Jimenez had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock in the closing stages

An even more glaring miss came in the 72nd minute when a substitute, Adama, found another Raul Jimenez, in space at the far post, before the Mexican striker infamously lifted his shot.

Brentford woke up to push for a late winner, but as with the match, they lacked the necessary creative spark.