Fulham’s under 21s came from behind to see off a spirited Charlton Athletic outfit and record their fifth consecutive win in the Premier League Cup with an entertaining 4-2 win at Motspur Park tonight.
Steve Wigley’s starting line-up showed six changes from the team that had eased past Nottingham Forest last week. Michael Allen came in for George Wickens in goal, with regular centre back partnership Connor McAvoy and Charlie Robinson being restored and Jay Williams replacing Luciano D’Auria-Henry at right back. George Okkas and Matt Dibley-Dias slotted back into midfield with Sylvester Jasper returning on the wing in place of the rested Ollie O’Neill.
Jasper had the bit between his teeth to make an impression and the winger had the first effort of note on a freezing cold evening shooting straight at goalkeeper Henry Molyneux having stripped a defender of possession. Jason Adigun almost opened the scoring for the Addicks at the other end after wrongfooting the Fulham defence with a fine turn but shot fractionally wide. In a wide-open opening to proceedings, Jasper was denied again by Molyneux, who gathered the loose ball at the second attempt having initially failed to hold a powerful shot.
Fulham went ahead through the clinical Sanderson who turned home an inviting cross from the overlapping Luc de Fougerolles with a modicum of fuss. The Whites might have been two goals to the good had Martial Godo headed in instead of wide after more outstanding wing play from Jasper. The lively winger rattled the crossbar with a fine free-kick shortly afterwards, but Charlton levelled against the run of play with a wonderful strike from Dylan Gavin that left Michael Allen stock still as it flew in off the post.
The visitors went ahead three minutes before the break when Daniel Kanu took advantage of some sloppy defending to race through and round a stranded Allen before tapping into the unguarded net. A stern talking to from Wigley at half-time saw Fulham re-emerge for the second period on the front foot with Dibley-Dias denied by Molyneux shortly after the restart. Allen saved well from Sahid Kamara’s piledriver at the other end as Charlton still carried a serious threat on the break.
Fulham levelled midway through the second half when Adrion Pajaziti won back possession with a strong tackle and fed Japser, who rifled a shot high into the net. The swiftness of the winger’s finish might have surprised Molyneux, who may feel he should have done better in protecting his near post. The hosts went in front after an almighty goalmouth scramble following a Pajaziti corner with the last touch appearing to come off Charlton’s unfortunate right back Harris O’Connor. McAvoy produced a sensational block on the goal-line in the final minute of normal time and Dibley-Dias made sure of the victory in the first minute of stoppage time when he pounced after Molyneux had spilled a cross to fire home the fourth.
FULHAM UNDER 21s (4-2-3-1): Allen; Williams, de Fougerolles, McAvoy, C. Robinson (de Jesus 59); Dibley-Dias, Okkas; Pajaziti, Godo, Jasper (Park 85); Sanderson. Subs (not used): McNally, Nwoko, Olyott.
GOALS: Sanderson (21), Jasper (65), O’Connor (o.g. 78), Dibley-Dias (90+1).
CHARLTON ATHLETIC UNDER 21s (4-2-3-1): Molyneux; O’Connor, Oguntayo, Henry, Olerewe; Asiimwe, Kamara (Reilly 64); Anderson (Kedwell 73), Kanu, Adigan; Gavin (Bower 88). Subs (not used): Kone.
BOOKED: Kamara.
GOALS: Gavin (35), Kanu (42).
REFEREE: Reubyn Ricardo.
