Fulham’s under 21s roared back from a goal down to beat Leicester City 3-1 at Motspur Park this afternoon and continue their flawless start to the new season
Former Chelsea forward Michael Golding fired the Foxes in front on 28 minutes with an emphatic finish after Hayden Cartwright had prised open the home defence far too easily with a through ball, but the hosts needed just ten minutes to level as Kristian Šekularac pounced on a defensive error.
Golding then saw a second half penalty crash back off the crossbar after Chris Donnell handled in the box and the game remained in the balance until four minutes from time when Chibby Nwoko’s deflected drive from distance nestled in the top corner. Fulham midfielder Josh King capped a memorable week by making sure of all three points deep into added time when powered in the decisive goal from close range having been teed up by Lemar Gordon.
Fulham made the stronger start in the New Malden sunshine but Harry French dealt easily enough with an Eddy Nsasi header from Jon Esenga’s free kick. The Leicester keeper’s legs then denied Terrell Works an opener before Sekularac drew a superb stop with a fierce strike from just outside the box.
The visitors soon created chances of their own. Leicester’s own Josh King fired wide when well placed before being thwarted when Alfie McNally threw himself at centre forward’s feet but Golding did eventually make the breakthrough. After Sekularac’s leveller, the former Juventus midfielder was frustrated by another fine French save with the visiting keeper somehow tipping over the Swiss under-21 international’s curling effort.
Leicester had the better of the chances immediately after the interval with McNally getting his angles right to deny Golding. The attacking midfielder will regret his cheeky chip from the penalty spot that bounced away to safety – and Fulham made him pay as Nwoko and King struck in quick succession as the visitors tired in the closing stages.
FULHAM UNDER 21s (4-3-3):Â McNally, Gofford, Nsasi, Amissah, Esenga; Donnell, Sekularac, Josh King; Works (Nwoko 61), Osmand (Loupalo-Bi 69′), Gordon. Subs (not used): Mayer, Park, de Jesus.
BOOKED: Amissah, McNally, Nsasi, Esenga.
GOALS: Sekularac (38), Nwoko (86), King (90+3).
LEICESTER CITY UNDER 21s (4-2-3-1): French; Wormleighton, Lindsay (Hill 71), Godsmark-Ford, Grist; Cartwright, Grist; Joseph, Briggs (Onanaye 75), Golding; Josh King (Pennant 45). Subs (not used): McAlinney, Amartey.
BOOKED: Cartwright, Wormleighton.
GOAL: Golding (28).
REFEREE: Stephen Parkinson.
