Fulham’s under 21s made it four wins from four in the Premier League 2 with a crushing 5-2 victory over Sunderland at Motspur Park this evening.
The visitors almost took the lead inside the first minute through an audacious effort from Caden Kelly, which bounced back off the bar, but Fulham began to create opportunities of their own as they grew into the contest. Some superb wing play from Terrell Works, then saw him sensationally spin away from his marker, set up their first chance of the evening with visiting goalkeeper Kelichi Chibueze doing well to repel the winger’s powerful finish.
Fulham took the lead from the resultant corner as another devilish delivery from Jon Esenga caused chaos in the Sunderland defence with centre back Ben Kindon unfortunately diverting the ball beyond his own goalkeeper. Josh King almost doubled the home side’s advantage after bursting into space along the right flank but his low strike was well stopped by Chibueze. The England under 18s skipper wasn’t to be denied a goal though – and pounced after the visitors had failed to deal with another Esenga set-piece, firing a clinical half volley into the net inside the box.
Sunderland were just as competitive in the second period and found a route back into the contest on the hour mark through a stupendous curling free-kick from Kelly that left Michael Allen with absolutely no chance. That opened up what had became a cagey contest but the hosts spurned an opportunity to put the game to bed when Chibueze saved Lemar Gordon’s penalty superbly after the winger had been brought down in the box.
Hayden Mullins’ men made sure of all three points three minutes later with Esenga’s third telling set piece of the night ended Sunderland’s challenge. This time another excellent delivery ended up in the net and Kristian Sekularac soon made it fourth after tucking home from close range after superb play from substitute Callum Osmand laid the goal on a plate for the Swiss midfielder. Osmand would have had a deserved goal four minutes from time – had his effort not taken a wicked deflection off Tom Lavery, but the Whites were well and truly home and dry by now.
Sunderland, who kept battling until the end, earned a further consolation deep into stoppage time when Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi tapped home after Allen had made a smart save from Elias Lenz’s effort. The under-21s are back in action on Tuesday evening when they begin their National League campaign at Maidenhead United.
FULHAM UNDER 21s (4-2-3-1): Allen; de Jesus, Slade, de Fougerolles, Esenga (Park 82); Donnell, King (Nwoko 62); Works, Gordon, Sekularac (Gofford 82); Loupalo-Bi (Osmand 62). Subs (not used): McNally.
BOOKED: de Fougerolles, Gordon.
GOALS: Kindon (o.g. 10), King (27), Esenga (70), Sekularac (76), Lavery (o.g. 86).
SUNDERLAND UNDER 21s (4-2-3-1): Chibueze; Lavery, J. Jones, Kindon, Bell; Middlemass, Burke (Mitchell 65), Walsh, Kelly, Lenz; Samuel-Ogunsuyi. Subs (not used): Parker, Cameron, Scott, Hester.
BOOKED: J. Jones, Walsh, Burke.
GOALS: Kelly (60), Samuel-Ogunsuyi (90+5).
REFEREE: Elliott Swallow.Â
