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BIR vs FUL
Carabao Cup
St Andrew's Knighthead Park, Birmingham
Birmingham City
vs
Fulham
0
FT
2
Action
Lineups
All
Facts Only
All
Full-Time: 0 - 2
Thanks for joining me here on Tribe as Fulham reached the third round of the Carabao Cup. For now, though, I’ve been Rory Morrow and I look forward to your company again soon for another live text commentary here on Tribe!
Up Next - Back to league action for both on Saturday afternoon as Birmingham host Wigan Athletic here in League One whilst Fulham travel to Portman Road to take on Ipswich Town in the Premier League.
As for Fulham, well, manager, Marco Silva will feel vindicated after he made eleven changes. It was still a very strong team, however with the debutants all impressing. Andersen dominated defensively with many key headers away whilst his partner, Cuenca, goalkeeper, Benda and full-backs, Sessegnon and Castagne, all contributed to a hard-earned clean sheet. Both goals were very well taken as Jimenez maintained his composure to dispatch the penalty whilst Stansfield dazzled with his strike, demonstrating just why he was selected. Smith Rowe was bright in his brief time off the bench, as well, as Fulham aspire to another lengthy Cup run this season.
The Blues played well for large spells, tonight. Laird, in particular, caught the eye with several impressive runs and deliveries from the right wing. They'll rue Castagne's sublime clearance and Willumsson's misfortune in clipping the crossbar but Birmingham City certainly gave as good as they got against Premier League opposition. Yokoyama had an impact off the bench and the League One side's first defeat of the season is certainly not one for them to get too dispirited about.
FULHAM REACH THE THIRD ROUND - One of last season's beaten semi-finalists have successfully navigated their way into the Carabao Cup third round as early, first half goals from Jimenez and Stansfield ensure safe passage for Fulham. The goals came within four minutes of each other, Jimenez first rifling a penalty home after Cochrane was penalised for handball. Then, former Blue, Stansfield swept a stunning, right-footed curler into the bottom corner to put daylight between the teams. Birmingham pushed, with Castagne clearing off the line and Willumsson hitting the bar, but couldn't muster a goal back as Fulham professionally saw out the second half.
90+7'
CHANCE - That should have been setting up a nervy finish for Fulham! Yokoyama eases clear of Castagne down the left wing. He alertly pulls the ball back where Willumsson, having made an excellent run, lets fly from outside the area. The ball flies miles over the top to the groans of the home faithful.
90+5'
Smith Rowe goes on a spellbinding, mazy run, cutting in from the left before being upended by Cochrane, having initially sold the defender with a lovely dip of the shoulder. Lukic's free kick is deflected easily into Allsop's waiting arms.
90+4'
Iwobi feeds Jimenez, who passes back to Lukic who spins it wide left to Sessegnon. Fulham are hogging the ball as they look to add a third goal.
90+1'
Traore's first significant act is to be booked for deliberately stopping Birmingham taking a free-kick quickly on the left side of the halfway line.