**Marco Silva hailed Harry Wilson after the attacker came off the bench to score the decisive goal in Fulham’s 3-2 win against Brentford.**
Wilson, who found the net twice as a substitute in the reverse fixture at Craven Cottage, was once again influential on derby day as he struck from distance with 20 minutes to play.
The Wales international was making just his fifth appearance after missing almost three months of action with a foot injury.
Whites boss Silva said: “He scores goals. He’s an important player for us. He’s had a bad injury that broke his momentum in the best part of the season.
“I have to say he worked very hard to recover as quickly as he did. To be ready to play, probably not 90 minutes every week, but to be ready to be involved so quickly after a bad injury, is credit to him and the medical staff.
“The feeling for him against Brentford is fantastic. He’s probably thinking right now ‘why don’t I play Brentford every week?’ because he loves it.”
Wilson struck just two minutes after fellow substitute Tom Cairney had drawn Fulham level.
There was praise too for Fulham stalwart Cairney, who delivered for his side in a big game once again.
“He deserves it. Special moments are for people who deserve and he deserves,” said Silva.
“He’s a great footballer and has always given his all for Fulham Football Club. It’s been 10 seasons and he is part of the furniture of the club.”
Cairney’s contract expires this summer and there has been speculation about his future.
But Silva said: “We hope that we have him next season again with us.”
Fulham went ahead through Raul Jimenez but were largely outplayed in a first half that saw Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa score for Brentford either side of Mbeumo missing a Premier League penalty for the first time.
Silva remonstrated with the fourth official and a member of the Brentford staff after referee Jarred Gillett awarded the spot-kick for a Joachim Andersen foul on Kevin Schade.
“It’s the first time I’ve seen a security guard near the benches \[that\] has tried to be involved in the conversations between myself and the fourth official,” Silva said.
“I’ve never seen something like that in the Premier League but it’s not a problem, it was just something emotional in the game and nothing really special.
“I was speaking to the fourth official. I don’t know why the security has to come and do something that for sure is not his role in a football match.”