Analysis: Clean sheet and control against Fulham highlights Brentford progress

A ninth shutout of the campaign eclipsed the Bees' eight clean sheets in 2024/25, and the underlying data points to clear defensive improvement under Andrews.

On average, Brentford conceded 5.45 shots on target per 90 last season. That figure has dropped significantly this term, with the Bees allowing just 119 shots on target (3.61 per 90) - only Liverpool (118), Manchester United (117), Manchester City (103) and Arsenal (75) have conceded fewer.

That Fulham goalkeeper Leno won the Playmaker Man of the Match award told its own story. His save in the 89th minute was out of the ordinary. The Gtech tensed in anticipation when Ouattara lashed Keane Lewis-Potter's low cross goalwards after a flowing move down Brentford's left - only for Leno to somehow claw the ball over the bar with a strong left hand.

It was the moment of the match, and it sent Lewis-Potter to his knees, with Brentford's no.23 balling his shorts up in his fists in exasperation.

Lewis-Potter delivered an outstanding all-round display at left-back, supporting the Bees' defensive efforts while adding quality in the final third.

Mathias Jensen was again a font of creativity, finishing with more key passes (four) than any player on the park. Sepp van den Berg, meanwhile, completed more passes (49) than any Brentford player and won 71 per cent of his aerial duels without conceding a foul.

As Andrews remarked afterwards, “there was a lot to like” about the performance, and Brentford will take those positives ahead of their trip to Manchester United next weekend.