Marco Gabbiadini came back to Craven Cottage to haunt Fulham with a brace as Sunderland sealed a spot in the third round of the League Cup at Fulham’s expense.
The clinical striker, who scored his first goals for Sunderland at Craven Cottage two years ago, opened the scoring in the second minute with a measured finish into the corner of the Hammersmith End goal after a strong run through midfield from Gordon Armstrong. The visitors were denied by a second by a superb save from Jim Stannard to deny Gabbiadini’s strike partner. Eric Gates looked to found the corner of the net with a fierce half volley from Colin Pascoe’s cross but the Fulham number one palmed his shot aside for a corner.
But the Whites were caught dozing from the ensuing set-play as they failed to react to Sunderland taking a short corner, with Paul Bracewell’s clipped cross headed into the top corner of the net by an unmarked Gabbiadini from five yards out. Armstrong rounded off the scoring in the last minute after some calamitous defending from John Marshall and Peter Scott presented Gabbiadini with a chance to complete his hat-trick. This time the centre forward crashed a finish against the near post from close range, but Armstrong was on hand to sweep home the rebound in front of the delirious Sunderland fans.
FULHAM: Stannard; Mauge, Marshall, Eckhardt, G. Thomas, Skinner, Scott, Barnett (Donnellan 62), Walker, Sayer, Watson. Subs (not used): Bremner.
SUNDERLAND: Carter; Kay, MacPhail, Bennett, Hardyman, Owers, Armstrong, Bracewell, Pascoe, Gates (Lemon 87), Gabbiadini. Subs (not used): Cullen.
BOOKED: Kay.
GOALS: Gabbiadini (2, 16), Armstrong (89).
REFEREE: Terence Holbrook.
ATTENDANCE: 6,314.
