Joe Bryan the perfect symbol of Scott Parker's Fulham transformation

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In a season of transformation, rebuilding and vindication, few could have epitomised Scott Parker's work at Fulham than Joe Bryan.

The full-back sent Fulham back to the Premier League at the first time of asking with a nerve-defying moment of genius before transforming into a rampaging winger deep into extra time at Wembley after a season of struggle in west London.

David Raya may forever rue his mistake under the arch, but it took a moment of pure inspiration and near perfect execution from Bryan to find the gap and whip home his free-kick from almost 40 yards.

The full-back, signed from Bristol City as part of Fulham's £100million spending spree after they won this contest two years ago, has not quite hit the heights expected of him in a white shirt, but will forever be written into Fulham folklore after a season of rebuilding in west London.

Bryan had two goals in 77 Fulham appearances before tonight; some way to double your tally.

Action Images via Reuters

Parker was first appointed Fulham manager in February last year, the club in free fall and heading straight back to the Championship. He could not prevent that slide, but the transformation since has been remarkable.

The former Fulham captain has often spoken about overhauling the mentality not just of the squad but the entire club, healing the significant wounds of that relegation, something that has shone through across this play-off campaign.

The confidence has been ingrained chiefly through Parker's style and plan, which has grown and developed all season and saw them through here. Brentford had gone into the contest as favourites, but all the talk of how dangerous Thomas Frank's forward line would be belied quite how canny Parker's Fulham could be.

The plan was clear: press high and fast off the ball and take your time on it, taking the sting out of the Bees famed front three.

Denis Odoi, brought in ahead of Cyrus Christie, sat a touch deeper to counter the threat of Said Benrahma, Harrison Reed - lucky to avoid a red card for his first half challenge on Christian Norgaard - was dominant in midfield, allowing Josh Onomah to push forward and trouble the Bees back line.

PA

Without Mitrovic until injury time before the additional half hour, Parker's side had to be patient going forward, and boy were they patient here.

Despite dominating the game there was very little bite about their play with the Championship top scorer absent, but their plan had the Bees muzzled, even in the rare moments that Frank's side looked the more purposeful.

As they had done in the semi-final, second leg against Cardiff, Fulham had to battle here as the game became stretched, Tom Cairney, Anthony Knockaert and Michael Hector adding to Reed's booking with some strong challenges.

Action Images via Reuters

At the core of things, they continued to play their way - Parker's way - and that came to the fore with Bryan's second to seal the top flight return, quick passing scything through the Bees.

Their rearguard too put in the hard work early on, and the late lapse for Brentford's goal will be quickly forgotten.

Many will point to the money spent over the years, the quality of their squad, and striker, marking them out as promotion contenders before a ball was kicked.

But Parker inherited a club in a mess, with little experience of how to go about correcting things. He has built the club in his image, across this strangest and longest of season that - of course - would end with extra time at Wembley.

Action Images via Reuters

This was not the game or night many expected from these two expansive, attractive sides. Parker will not care a jot, this was a night of vindication for more than a year's work.

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