First half goals from Adrion Pajaziti and Kristian Šekularac ensured that Fulham’s under 21s topped their Premier League International Cup group as the young Whites beat AS Monaco II 2-1 in freezing temperatures at Motspur Park tonight.
Romaric Etonde drilled home a reply for the French side midway through the second period, but Hayden Mullins’ men made sure of their place in the last eight of the prestigious continental competition despite a nervy moment at the death when Alex Borto claimed another Etonde effort after Caelan Avenall’s clearance cannoned off Valentin Decarpentrie and into the goalscorer’s path.
Monaco had enjoyed the best chances in the early stages of the contest as both teams acclimatised to the challenging conditions. Lucas Michal should have done better than spooning a shot over the crossbar when he latched onto a corner, but Fulham grew into the contest and began to dominate possession. Callum McFarlane headed an excellent cross from George Okkas, who again deputised at left back, straight at the goalkeeper but the hosts hit the front six minutes later.
Some probing passing created the space for McFarlane to tee up the Albanian under-21 international, who fired into the bottom corner with aplomb. Monaco mustered a riposte but the lively Etonde couldn’t test Borto having worked an opening for himself before the visitors were fortunate to avoid conceding a penalty when Šekularac appeared to have been fouled in the area. Referee Emily Heaslip consulted her assistant and awarded a free-kick outside the box.
Damien Perrinelle’s charges almost made the most of that piece of good fortune with Borto forced into a smart save to prevent winger Enzo Baglieri powering in a long-range leveller. Fulham found themselves some breathing space before the break when Swiss youth international Šekularac picked his spot superbly to double the hosts’ lead.
Mullins’ side could have made the game safe early in the second half. McFarlane was denied by Yann Lienard when he nodded a free-kick towards goal, but Monaco remained a serious threat on the break. Etonde wasted a good chance to bring his team back into the contest by steering a shot wide when well place, but the striker made no mistake after stepping between the Fulham centre halves to sweep home on 68 minutes.
Baglieri then headed straight at Borto after Idris Odutayo had failed to deal with full back Nazim Babai’s ball in, but Fulham survived both that scare and Etonde’s chance to finish the group stages with four victories from four games. The young Whites are back in action on Monday when they travel to Leicester City in the domestic Premier League Cup.
FULHAM UNDER 21s (4-3-3): Borto; Williams, Okkas, Araujo, Odutayo; Donnell, Pajaziti (Quashie 75), Lanquedoc; Works, Šekularac, McFarlane (Avenall 62). Subs (not used): McNally, Tabares, Picotto, O’Neill.
BOOKED: Araujo, Quashie.
GOALS: Pajaziti (20), Šekularac (34).
AS MONACO II (4-4-1-1): Lienard; Babai, Bakali (Bertolucci 87), Valme, Beri; Bamba, Benama, Michal, Baglieri (Baranik 75); Yacoub (Decarpentrie 61); Etonde. Subs (not used): Kuzmanovic, Gesan, Zadi.
BOOKED: Bery, Valme.
GOAL: Etonde (68).
REFEREE: Emily Heaslip.
