Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 25/08/21...

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Birmingham City 0-2 Fulham

Teenager Jay Stansfield rifled into the top corner for his first senior goal

Jay Stansfield's stunning strike crowned a dominant display for Fulham as they knocked Birmingham City out of the Carabao Cup at St Andrew's.

The 18-year-old found the top corner from the edge of the box for his first senior goal before the break.

Substitute Antonee Robinson cut inside and drilled home to secure Fulham's third successive away win late on.

The hosts failed to register a single shot on target as Fulham dominated possession throughout.

Both teams were much-changed for the tie, with Birmingham manager Lee Bowyer making nine changes and Fulham boss Marco Silva making 10.

The Blues' best chance fell to midfielder Riley McGree, who blazed a volley over the bar early on, one of only two efforts on goal for the hosts compared to 17 from Fulham.

The Cottagers' victory maintained an unbeaten start to the season for Silva's side, who top the Championship table after beating Hull 2-0 on Saturday.

They progress to the third round of the Carabao Cup, already bettering last year's run when they were beaten by Southampton in the second round.

Birmingham manager Lee Bowyer:

"A lot of the players will have got an unbelievable experience from that. A lot of these lads that were playing tonight for Fulham played in the Premier League last season.

"They should take so much home tonight, they haven't disgraced the football club or themselves, they gave everything."

Fulham boss Marco Silva:

"We made 10 changes, we deserved the win as we were the best team on the pitch. We respect the competition, we respect our opponent, our attitude and commitment was there."It was not the best performance for both teams, for sure, but creating a winning mentality is really important for us, winning with a clean sheet again is really important as well."



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58239544

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Post-Birmingham Press Conference

Marco Silva was satisfied with a job well done at St Andrew's on Tuesday evening.

First Fulham goals for Jay Stansfield and Antonee Robinson secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Birmingham City, to book our place in the Third Round of the Carabao Cup.

"It was our aim to come here and match Birmingham, to try to get the job done and go through in the competition," Silva said. "And that's what we did.

"We made 10 changes, we deserved the win as we were the best team on the pitch. We respect the competition, we respect our opponent, our attitude and commitment was there.

"It was not the best performance for both teams, for sure, but creating a winning mentality is really important for us, winning with a clean sheet again is really important as well.

"Job done, and we prepare now for the next one."

Stansfield's finish was absolutely devastating as he drilled an accurate shot high into the corner from the edge of the box – the perfect way for the Academy graduate to mark his first start for the Club.

"He deserved the chance," Silva said of the 18-year-old. "He's been working with me since I arrived at this football club.

"In some pre-season games he did really well. He's working really hard to get the chance, tonight he got it, and he did well.

"He scored a really good goal, and we know he has the capacity to do that.

"In those areas, if he has the chance to finalise the action, he is really strong. And he did it.

"In that moment we pressed well as our opponents built up, and we got the ball and finalised the action well."

Stansfield wasn't the only teenager impressing for the Whites, with Adrion Pajaziti getting a full 90 minutes on his Fulham debut.

"Again, he's a boy that deserved the chance," our Head Coach explained. "He's not working every single day with us, but we did some games against the Under-23s and he's a player that always did well.

"As you know, we have some problems in our midfield, some injuries in that zone.

"Tonight we played a fourth game in 11 days, which is many, many games, and the other two midfielders [Seri & Onomah] played 90 minutes in the last three games, Fabio was not with us as well, and of course we have to change the two midfielders in that position.

"Even Bobby played in a different position tonight, and Bobby did well.

"They deserved the chance, and these games, doing things well, making mistakes, they will learn and they will grow as football players."



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/august/Post-Birmingham-Press-Conference/

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Harry Wilson backed to help fire Fulham back to the Premier League

David Healy is adamant that Fulham's new marquee signing Harry Wilson can spearhead their promotion charge.

The Cottagers achieved safety by the skin of their collective teeth in Healy's solitary season in west London back in 2008, finishing level on points with relegated Reading thanks to a slightly superior goal difference.

High-flying Fulham parted with £12.6million to land Wilson from Premier League giants Liverpool and for Healy he has the ability to become a household Premier League name in future.

"I like the signings that they made, obviously Harry Wilson, who has ability and technically he's very good", said Healy who is currently the head coach of Northern Ireland outfit Linfield FC.

"Probably Harry will eventually go and be a Premier League player, because he's got all the attributes. He will help Fulham to get where they need to get to this year, to the Premier League. It's a tough league but it would be great if they get promoted."

And the shrewd appointment of former Watford and Everton manager Marco Silva could do the rest.

Healy believes that having the Portuguese manager in the dugout is reason for optimism: "The manager who has come in has experience of working in England and get teams where they need to get to. The style of play has always been good at Fulham and again that's credit to Fulham. But the new manager Marco Silva freshened things up with his new and fresh ideas. I watched Fulham in their first game against Middlesbrough and [they looked good].

Northern Ireland's all-time record goalscorer also believes that the completion of the new Riverside Stand could be another decisive factor in propelling Fulham back up.

"Craven Cottage is a proper Premier League stadium now. It had a lot of development and a lot of work on it. One thing that Fulham do know, like all the teams that got relegated last year [such as] Sheffield United and West Brom, is that it's very difficult to come down and go straight back up. But Joachim Anderson is possibly the one they're going to miss more than anyone else. But I can see Fulham being in the top two or three teams this year."

Despite bitter relegation from the top-flight term, Healy lauded his opposite number Scott Parker who stepped down as Fulham manager to join fellow promotion chasers Bournemouth in late June.

He said: "Scotty Parker has done a great job last year and to get them promoted in 2020. I thought he did a good job in tough circumstances last year even if they got relegated in the end."



https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/harry-wilson-backed-to-help-fire-fulham-back-to-the-premier-league/

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Adams signs professional deal at Fulham

Young goalkeeper Jacob Adams has signed his first professional contract with Fulham this afternoon.

Adams made his debut for Fulham's under 23 side last season during a 2-2 draw with Newcastle after impressing the club's coaching staff when on trial from East Grinstead. The 20 year-old has signed a one-year deal, with Fulham holding an option for another year's extension.

Adams told the club's website:

"I'm absolutely buzzing to sign this after a trial period last year. I've achieved my dream of becoming a professional footballer, so I'm delighted. I want to keep pushing on and improving so hopefully that hard work will pay off and I'll continue to progress within this great football club."

Academy director Mike Cave added:

"I'm very happy that Jacob has agreed to continue his time with us. He has clearly demonstrated the academy values of hard work, honesty and humility throughout his time with us and this next step is further recognition of that."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/08/adams-signs-professional-deal-at-fulham/

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Silva pleased after Fulham's cup win

Fulham boss Marco Silva saw his side's 2-0 win at Birmingham in the Carabao Cup as a job well done.

Jay Stansfield scored on his first start for the club to help secure a place in the third round.

The youngster cut inside and fired home midway through the first half.

And Antonee Robinson fired in the second for Fulham in injury time.

Teenager Adrion Pajaziti made his debut for the Whites, who defended well at St Andrews.

Bobby Decordova-Reid hit the post and had a couple of other decent chances to add a second before Robinson eventually did.

"We deserved the win as we were the best team on the pitch," Silva said.

"It was not the best performance for both teams, but creating a winning mentality is really important for us – and winning with a clean sheet again is important as well."

Fulham: Rodák, Odoi, Hector, Mawson, Knockaert, Pajaziti (Onomah 90), Francois, Bryan, Decordova-Reid, Stansfield (Robinson 86), Kebano (Cavaleiro 73).
Subs not used: Mitrovic, Tosin, Gazzaniga, Seri.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/silva-reaction-youngster-stansfield-scores-as-fulham-go-through

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Stansfield sends Fulham into round three

This was a very encouraging evening for Marco Silva. Fulham's priority is an immediate return to the Premier League – and the prospect of a meeting with fellow Championship pacesetters Stoke City prompted eleven changes – but an experimental side had more than enough to see off battling Birmingham City tonight and secure a place in the third round of the League Cup. Jay Stansfield marked his first senior start by opening his Fulham account with a superb strike into the top corner and substitute Antonee Robinson sealed matters with his first goal for the club deep into stoppage time.

Silva's side looked a little scruffy in comparison to the one that has been so fluent in the league in the early weeks of the season. That was not surprising given that several of the starting eleven were making their first appearances of the campaign. There was a quietly effective debut for Kosovan midfielder Adrion Pajaziti, who coped admirably with the physicality in the engine room, but it took a while for the visitors' precise passing and movement to tell.

Blues made the early running and had the better of the early chances. Lee Bowyer had made ten changes from the 5-0 thumping of Luton on Saturday, recalling former Fulham goalkeeper Neil Etheridge after the Philippines international's horrible battle with coronavirus. One-time Fulham loanee Jordan Graham looked like the home side's most likely source of an opener, which should have arrived after a quarter of an hour when he whipped in a devilish cross from the right that Australian midfielder Riley McGree somehow spooned over Marek Rodak's crossbar from close range.

Stansfield had shown great tenacity in his battle with Birmingham's three centre backs and plenty of clever touches to keep the ball in the final third, but hadn't had much of an opportunity to go for goal himself until he seized on a loose clearance after Joe Bryan had buzzed along the left flank. The eighteen year old carried the ball deep into Blues' territory and then crashed an unstoppable right-footed shot into the top corner from just outside the area. It was a sensational strike – in keeping with Stansfield's prodigious talent.

Birmingham did threaten an immediate riposte when Ivan Sunjic let fly from outside the box but his left-footed effort didn't unduly concern Rodak. Fulham finished the first period in the ascendancy and should have doubled their advantage when Kebano tricked his way past debutant Dion Sanderson and cut the ball back for Bobby Decordova-Reid, but the utility man skied his shot horribly over. The visitors carried a threat deep into added time as evidenced by the fact that Bryan's brilliant cross flashed just out of reach of Decordova-Reid in the last action of the half.

Blues were desperate to come flying out of the blocks after the break but had nothing to show for their early intent with a couple of offside flags derailing promising attacks. Fulham's patient passing was now beginning to give them more of a foothold in the contest – the most impressive period saw the Whites kept the ball for nearly thirty passes before Stansfield was adjudged offside as he chased down an Alfie Mawson through ball. Decordova-Reid might have made proceedings more comfortable but shot wide again after more impressive wing play from Kebano.

Lee Bowyer sent on Charlie Lakin and Keyendrah Simmonds just after the hour but the closest the pair came to influencing proceedings was when the former struck the frame of the goal after being released by a lovely disguised pass from McGree – but the offside flag had already gone up. Kebano continued an energetic stint down the left flank, darting inside and firing a fierce drive goalwards which Etheridge did well to push over his crossbar.

Ivan Cavaleiro replaced the Congolese winger but spurned a great chance to wrap things up shortly after coming on, lashing a finish wastefully into the side netting with Anthony Knockaert begging for the ball to played square. Stansfield, who had worked tirelessly as a lone front man, was withdrawn after going down with cramp and his replacement – Robinson – settled the tie in the third minute of stoppage time. The killer second goal appeared elusive after Decordova-Reid had rattled the base of the post after a fine run across the box, but Robinson stroked in his first Fulham goal after coolly collecting a cutback from Cavaleiro.

BIRMINGHAM CITY (3-4-3): Etheridge; Sanderson (Chang 75), Friend, Mitchell Roberts; Oakley, Sunjic (Lakin 63), McGree, Castillo; Graham, Leko, Aneke (Simmonds 63). Subs (not used): Trueman, Bellingham, Walker.

FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Rodak; Odoi, Bryan, Mawson, Hector; Francois, Pajaziti; Kebano (Cavaleiro 72), Knockaert, Decordova-Reid (Onomah 90+3); Stansfield (Robinson 85). Subs (not used): Gazzaniga, Adarabioyo, Robinson, Seri, Onomah, Mitrovic.

BOOKED: Bryan, Hector.

GOALS: Stansfield (26), Robinson (90+3).

REFEREE: Samuel Barrott (West Riding).

ATTENDANCE: 4,783.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/08/stansfield-sends-fulham-into-round-three/

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Result: Jay Stansfield has dream full debut as Fulham beat Birmingham in Carabao Cup

Jay Stansfield enjoyed a dream full debut as his stunning goal sent Fulham on their way to a 2-0 Carabao Cup second round win over Birmingham at St. Andrew's.

The 18-year-old forward, making only his third senior appearance, rifled home in the 26th minute as the Sky Bet Championship leaders continued their unbeaten start under Marco Silva.

Stansfield's replacement Antonee Robinson scored Fulham's second goal in time added on.

Birmingham wasted a glorious chance when Riley McGree blazed over Jordan Graham's cross from close range.

Fulham punished them in style as Stansfield's glorious, rising drive found the top corner of the net from the edge of the box.

The goal came after a square ball from Birmingham's only survivor from Saturday's 5-0 win at Luton Ivan Sunjic was intercepted by Joe Bryan, who found Stansfield.

Sunjic tried to atone for his error with a low, skidding drive that flew inches wide from 25 yards.

The visitors, who made 10 changes, dominated after the break.

Neeskens Kebano had a fierce angled effort palmed over by Neil Etheridge before substitute Ivan Cavaleiro found the side netting from a similar position.

Cavaleiro then cut the ball back for Robinson to curl low into the far bottom corner.



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/birmingham-city/league-cup/result/result-jay-stansfield-has-dream-full-debut-as-fulham-beat-birmingham-in-carabao-cup_460698.html?newsnow

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Fulham's youngsters shine at St. Andrew's



St. Andrew's served up a strange game and a surreal atmosphere for Fulham's first Carabao Cup fixture of the season but Marco Silva's young stars ensured the Cup run would continue with a composed performance in the Midlands. The Blues' Balti pie was my highlight of what proved to be a fairly dominant but also rather uneventful visit to the city of a thousand trades.

It felt rather like another pre-season friendly with youth players and those returning to fitness feeling their way back to proper football. There was plenty of pretty passing and patient possession but plenty of chances went astray throughout a ninety minutes that was often short on quality. Although fairly few Fulham fans made the trip to Birmingham – the fact that tickets were only released on Friday meant the travelling contingent numbered three hundred – they did manage to compete with the home supporters in terms of noise, although this was largely down to the fact that two stands were entirely out of action due to stadium maintenance issues.

This created a strange once-in-a-lifetime phenonium. The typically hostile home environment became something of a smaller and yet close-quarters event, ending with the Fulham following requiring a police escort despite the substantially reduced crowd. It's never dull in Birmingham, after all.

The best moment of the match, however, was Jay Stansfield's delightful first goal for Fulham. The teenage striker took it brilliantly. After cutting in from the left flank, Stansfield fired the ball into the top corner of Neil Etheridge's net past the failing limbs of three defenders from the edge of the box. What a way to get off the mark.

Every Denis Odoi touch was met by cheers and chants for our cult hero, who was rewarded with the captain's armband. There were songs for the returning Michael Hector and, even though his name proved impossible to rhyme, it would remiss not to be remark on how seamlessly Fulham's first Kosovan player, Adrion Pajaziti, slotted into central midfield. The travelling support grew more nervous in the final 25 minutes of the game – wary of last season's last-minute woes under Scott Parker.

Thankfully though – as if to underline that all of that was a thing of the past – Antonee Robinson was able to slot one into the bottom left corner to secure Fulham's safe passage into the third round of the Carabao Cup and become the eighth American to score for London's oldest professional football club.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/08/fulhams-youngsters-shine-at-st-andrews/

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Silva delighted to maintain momentum

Marco Silva was delighted as Fulham booked a place in the third round of the League Cup at Birmingham tonight after he had made ten changes to his starting line-up.

The Portuguese head coach had underlined the fact that promotion to the Premier League is his highest priority in the build up to this fixture, but still wanted his fringe players to give him some selection posers at St. Andrew's. They certainly did that – with teenage striker Jay Stansfield scoring a brilliant first goal for the club and American full back Antonee Robinson coming off the bench to make the tie safe in stoppage time.

Silva told his post-match press conference:

"It was our aim to come here and match Birmingham, to try to get the job done and go through in the competition. And that's what we did. We made ten changes, we deserved the win as we were the best team on the pitch. We respect the competition, we respect our opponent, our attitude and commitment was there.

It was not the best performance for both teams, for sure, but creating a winning mentality is really important for us, winning with a clean sheet again is really important as well. Job done, and we prepare now for the next one."

The Fulham boss was full of praise for eighteen year-old Stansfield, who had a full debut to remember.

"He deserved the chance. He's been working with me since I arrived at this football club. In some pre-season games he did really well. He's working really hard to get the chance, tonight he got it, and he did well. He scored a really good goal, and we know he has the capacity to do that. In those areas, if he has the chance to finalise the action, he is really strong. And he did it. In that moment we pressed well as our opponents built up, and we got the ball and finalised the action well.

Silva was also pleased with the performance of young midfielder Adrion Pajaziti, who did not look overawed by the occasion as he completed the full ninety minutes in his first Fulham appearance.

"Again, he's a boy that deserved the chance. He's not working every single day with us, but we did some games against the Under-23s and he's a player that always did well. As you know, we have some problems in our midfield, some injuries in that zone. Tonight we played a fourth game in 11 days, which is many, many games, and the other two midfielders played 90 minutes in the last three games, Fabio was not with us as well, and of course we have to change the two midfielders in that position. They deserved the chance, and these games, doing things well, making mistakes, they will learn and they will grow as football players."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/08/silva-delighted-to-maintain-momentum/

[WhiteJC]

Antonee Robinson scores first Fulham goal in Carabao Cup victory

Antonee Robinson has been flying for Marco Silva's Fulham squad in the early stages of the new season and the American defender celebrated his first goal for the club in Tuesday's Carabao Cup victory.

Antonee Robinson and his production with Fulham

Robinson didn't start for the English Football League Championship side but did come off the bench to score the second goal in Fulham's 2-0 road win over Birmingham City. It was Robinson's second-ever club goal and his first since November 2019, when he scored for Wigan Athletic against Millwall.

Jay Stansfield scored the first goal for Fulham in the opening half at St. Andrew's and was replaced by Robinson in the 85-minute. The U.S. men's national team left-back made no mistake by sliding a left-footed shot into the bottom-right corner, giving Fulham an insurance goal prior to stoppage time.

90+2' JEDDIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!

🔵 0-2 🤍 | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/9mUU88x1D1

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) August 24, 2021

Robinson has started off strong for Fulham this season, helping them to a 4-1-0 record across all competitions. The left-back registered his first assist for the club in last weekend's 2-0 win over Hull City and now has followed that up with his first goal.

Fellow American defender Tim Ream did not dress for Fulham after leaving Saturday's match in the 21st minute due to injury. Ream however seems to be in good spirits ahead of a possible inclusion to Gregg Berhalter's roster for September's World Cup Qualifiers.

Robinson will also be in the mix for a USMNT call-up this fall after impressing in his first five appearances for the London-based club. Up next for Fulham is a league match vs. Stoke City before two weeks off due to FIFA's international schedule.

The 24-year-old has made 12 appearances to date with the USMNT and remains in the discussion to start in qualifying. Sergiño Dest, a right-back by trade, has also appeared as a left-back under Berhalter and Sam Vines is coming off a solid tournament in the Concacaf Gold Cup.

Robinson's strong run of form though could see him get the nod against El Salvador on September 2.



https://lastwordonsports.com/soccer/2021/08/24/antonee-robinson-scores-fulham-goal/

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Marco Silva keen to instil winning mentality throughout entire squad

Marco Silva says he is trying to build a winning mentality throughout his entire Fulham squad after his much-changed side reached the third round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 win at Birmingham.

Jay Stansfield's 26th-minute goal on his full debut and one from his replacement Antonee Robinson in time added on gave the Cottagers a routine victory to secure their spot in tomorrow night's draw.

The win was Fulham's fourth in a row and continued the unbeaten start for the Sky Bet Championship leaders, even allowing for 10 changes.

"I said to the players before the match that since we started the season we are creating something and we want to finish matches with a winning feeling and that winning mentality is really important," said Silva.

"We were unbeaten in pre-season and it was really important to keep that momentum.

"I saw our team being serious in a different competition – all of the players involved showed big commitment and that was the main thing for me."

Birmingham failed to trouble goalkeeper Marek Rodak but head coach Lee Bowyer was optimistic after also making 10 changes.

Former Fulham goalkeeper Neil Etheridge returned for his first game of the season after suffering badly with Covid-19, while on-loan Wolves defender Dion Sanderson impressed on his debut.

"I'm disappointed because we lost and we're out of the cup, but I think there were a lot of positives for those lads playing against players who were in the Premier League last season," said Bowyer.

"Neil is rusty and is still playing catch-up – he and Dion could have played in the under-23s but I thought if they could have played in that, why can't they play in this?

"Then we had Jordan Graham playing against Denis Odoi, who's a top defender. These are the challenges they need to see and have."



https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/birmingham-city/league-cup/news/marco-silva-keen-to-instil-winning-mentality-throughout-entire-squad_460736.html?newsnow

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'No better feeling' than scoring for Fulham, says Stansfield

Jay Stansfield couldn't hide his joy after scoring his first senior goal in some style as Fulham beat Birmingham to reach the third round of the League Cup tonight.

The teenage striker, who saw his encouraging first year at Fulham cruelly curtailed by a serious ankle injury, was handed a start by Marco Silva at St. Andrew's and responded by firing the visitors in front with a fine strike into the top corner midway through the first half. Stansfield, whose performance as the lone striker belied his tender age, told Fulham FCTV tonight:

"It was brilliant. I couldn't asked for a better senior full debut, to be honest. Starting the game and then scoring a goal like that – I can't explain the feeling! I made my debut two years ago now and having that time out put a halt on everything really. To be able to recover and come up here and score my first goal – there's no better feeling than doing that."

Stansfield revealed that Fulham's senior players played a key part in helping the club's young players settle on a big night, with Adrion Pajaziti also making his debut in midfield this evening.

"The boys were brilliant at helping me, Ty and Adrion, encouraging us and making us confident. I felt all the players played well, worked hard and got us the win."

The striker paid tribute to Fulham's category one academy that has seen several youngsters – like Tyrese Francois and Fabio Carvalho – take serious strides forward over the summer

"It's brilliant that it's not just you there. The pressure is not just on you when there's a couple of academy lads there. It just shows what a good academy we have with other lads coming through. The manager giving us this opportunity on a stage like this tonight and us performing – it's brilliant."



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/08/no-better-feeling-than-scoring-for-fulham-says-stansfield/

[WhiteJC]

Silva pleased after Fulham's cup win

Fulham boss Marco Silva saw his side's 2-0 win at Birmingham in the Carabao Cup as a job well done.

Jay Stansfield scored on his first start for the club to help secure a place in the third round.

The youngster cut inside and fired home midway through the first half.

And Antonee Robinson fired in the second for Fulham in injury time.

Teenager Adrion Pajaziti made his debut for the Whites, who defended well at St Andrews.

Bobby Decordova-Reid hit the post and had a couple of other decent chances to add a second before Robinson eventually did.

"We deserved the win as we were the best team on the pitch," Silva said.

"It was not the best performance for both teams, but creating a winning mentality is really important for us – and winning with a clean sheet again is important as well."

Fulham: Rodák, Odoi, Hector, Mawson, Knockaert, Pajaziti (Onomah 90), Francois, Bryan, Decordova-Reid, Stansfield (Robinson 86), Kebano (Cavaleiro 73).
Subs not used: Mitrovic, Tosin, Gazzaniga, Seri.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/silva-reaction-youngster-stansfield-scores-as-fulham-go-through