Keith Andrews highlights Brentford’s progress after draw with Fulham

By Andy Sims, Press Association

Keith Andrews felt Brentford showed just how far they have come this season in the goalless draw with Fulham.

Former Bees boss Thomas Frank was back to watch his old club for the first time since he was sacked by Tottenham in February, with the side he left behind last summer now pushing for Europe.

They were only denied revenge for their derby defeat at Craven Cottage in September, and a place in the top six, by a stunning late save from Fulham keeper Bernd Leno to deny Dango Ouattara.

Andrews, the surprise choice to replace Frank in June, said: “It’s really good that he’s come back to watch the game because he’s been a huge part of this club’s recent history, as everybody knows.

“I think that this game is quite a poignant one because it showcases for me where we’ve come in the space of seven months.

“At Craven Cottage on September 20, Fulham were the better team and deserved to win the game.

“I think you can see the evolution of our team. They’d been together for numerous years under the same head coach. and now we are a team that can compete with anybody in this league.”

The Bees have now drawn each of their last five matches, but Andrews added: “It’s five draws where I’m struggling right now to think of a game that we deserve to lose.

“So that will give you an indication around the opposition that we faced within that time and the performance levels.”

Fulham failed to register a single shot on target with Ryan Sessegnon firing their best chance over the crossbar, while they lost Alex Iwobi to a hamstring injury before half-time.

“It was not the result we wanted,” said boss Marco Silva. “We came with a mission to win the game, something we have done three times in a row.

“We drew and we should not be pleased. We were more dominant first half. The moment we lost Alex had an impact.

“They had a big chance, a big save from Leno after we lost the ball. But Leno popped up in the game and showed his quality. We are talking about a top goalkeeper.”

Leno was not even certain he had kept the ball out after Ouattara swept Keane Lewis-Potter’s low cross goalwards from point-blank range.

“These moments in the last minute are always the best,” said the German keeper on TNT Sports.

“It was a difficult one. I wasn’t even sure if the ball was in or not but then I saw all my team-mates coming over to me.

“It was a good moment and it was important for us because I think we deserved a point today.”