Fulham returns to Premier League

LONDON — Fulham secured a return to the English Premier League on Tuesday after one season away by beating west London rival Brentford 2-1 in the Championship playoff final.

Joe Bryan scored twice in extra time at Wembley to give Fulham the win in what is widely called the most lucrative game in soccer. Fulham will receive at least 135 million pounds ($176 million US) over three years after securing promotion, a year after being relegated from the world’s richest football league.

Fulham owner Shahid Khan failed with a bid to buy Wembley a year ago, and his team had to celebrate in an empty stadium on Tuesday due to the coronavirus pandemic.