Irish international Cyrus Christie helps Fulham back to Premier League with play-off win over Brentford

Cyrus Christie was an extra-time substitute as Fulham won promotion back to the English Premier League with a dramatic 2-1 win over Brentford in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

A goal in either half of extra time from left-back Joe Bryan sealed the Cottagers’ return to the top flight at the first attempt after failing to beat the drop last year.

Henrik Dalsgaard pulled back a goal in the fourth minute of the four allotted minutes of injury time but it was too little too late for a side who missed out on automatic promotion on the final day.

On-loan Irish international Harry Arter was omitted from the line-up as he looks to sort out his club future with Bournemouth but shared in the celebrations.

Christie was introduced with ten minutes remaining in extra time to shore up the defence as the west London side defended a one-goal lead at the time.

Brentford went into the game with confidence, having beaten Fulham twice during the regular season, but the sides were evenly matched having both finished on 81 points.

90 scoreless minutes called for an extra half-hour and it was Fulham who made the breakthrough late in the first extra period.

Bryan lined up a free kick from all of 35 yards and caught Brentford keeper David Raya off his line anticipated a cross and looped the set piece into the unguarded net.

And as Brentford piled forward in search of a late equaliser, the defender doubled his tally after a mazy give-and-go with Aleksandr Mitrovic before slotting past Raya from close range.

There was late drama when Danish international Dalsgaard nodded home but there was no time to rally for a second and Scott Parker’s side lifted the trophy for the second time in three years.