Europa League match-winner Clint Dempsey may have been quick to share the plaudits, but there was no doubting the importance of the American’s 82nd minute strike.
In what transpired to be another unforgettable night at Craven Cottage, and arguably the Club’s finest ever moment, Fulham fought back to record a famous win against Italian giants and two-time European champions, Juventus.
A 3-1 first-leg defeat in Turin left Roy Hodgson’s side with a mountain to climb, with David Trezeguet’s goal after just two minutes seemingly ending our hopes of progression.
A cool finish from Bobby Zamora levelled proceedings on the night, while Zoltan Gera’s 39th minute strike offered hope going into the interval. With the momentum, the Whites pushed forward after the break and their endeavour was rewarded, with Gera stepping up and slotting home a confident penalty four minutes in.
With the game there for the taking, chances fell for Fulham, before Dempsey stepped off the bench for a sumptuous finish that floated over Antonio Chimenti and into the far corner of the goal. With eight minutes left on the clock, the Cottage was bouncing with euphoria.
“It was a fantastic night, especially when you consider the fact a lot of people had already counted us out,” said Clint, talking exclusively to Fulhamfc.com. “It was a great performance and the players, the Manager and the coaching staff all deserve a lot of credit.
“We took our chances and that was important. Bobby scored another brilliant goal, while Zolly showed his class with two great finishes, particularly the one from the spot. That set it up nicely for me, and I did what I needed to do. But without those strikes from the other guys, I wouldn’t have been in that position.
“This was a great comeback and is without doubt up there in the Club’s greatest ever victories – and it’s amazing to have played a part in that.”
Fans have got used to big name casualties at Craven Cottage, with Manchester United and Liverpool dismissed with relative ease this season. Thursday's result, perhaps takes the 2009-10 season to even greater heights.
“There’s just something about playing at the Cottage,” he explains. “It seems to bring out the best in us. We are always able to create chances here and now we’ve added Juve to a list of great clubs to come unstuck here. We’ve made a bit of a habit of that and it’s a nice feeling.
“We have a lot of confidence at home and tonight was always going to be difficult. That said, we knew we were very much in this game and even when we went a goal down after a couple of minutes we had the belief to turn things around. This is a team that just never gives up.”
It was a welcome return for the 27-year-old, who had missed seven weeks of action following a knee injury. Having returned in first-leg, Dempsey was back to his best, and timing his return to perfection.
“It’s always great to score a goal,” says Clint. “I have said in the past that it is a difficult feeling to describe. That was certainly one of the best goals that I have scored.
“It’s just good to be back and playing my part again. I’ve been working hard in getting back and tonight was a reward for several weeks of frustration – it had been a long wait. But I’ve put the injury behind me, and all I want to do is finish the season strongly.”
With Fulham continuing to impress in the League, and with a FA Cup Quarter-Final Replay with Tottenham up next on Wednesday, the Whites now have another Quarter-Final to look towards, reaching the last eight UEFA Europa League.
“It’s an incredible achievement for the Club,” adds Clint. “You always want to do special things in your career and I think we are on another step to something very memorable. Hopefully we can keep going, and it would be nice to think that our European adventure can keep on track for a while yet.”