Fulham Under-23s turn their attention back to the PL Cup on Friday when they face Birmingham at Motspur Park.
A win will all but secure qualification to the last 16 for Mark Pembridge’s men as Reading could also book their place in the last 16 with a win over Colchester.
Having tasted an impressive victory against Manchester United last week, the Young Whites go into the game full of confidence with their new found ruthless streak.
Goals from Mattias Käit, Elijah Adebayo and Stephen Humphrys sunk the Red Devils, having found themselves a goal behind through Tahith Chong’s stunning free kick.
Birmingham, on the other hand, are still going strong in the Professional Development League. However, three consecutive wins came to an abrupt halt at the hands of Sheffield United, to knock them off the top of the table.
Last Time Out:
Two first half goals within five minutes from Luca De La Torre and Harvey Elliott’s stunning volley put Fulham well on the way to a comfortable victory.
Tommy Anderson’s impressive long-range strike buoyed the Blues, but it was in-vain as the Young Whites kicked off their PL Cup campaign with a win.
View from the Gaffer:
Mark Pembridge was happy to reflect on the Manchester United game having seen his side taking their chances, and views the cup game as a good time to prepare for a league run.
“We took our chances in the game. We went 1-0 down, in general our team shape was excellent.” He told fulhamfc.com. “I think it was the first time since the Middlesbrough game in August that we have gone two goals up.
“The boys responded really well with organisation and defensive shape. We struggled at times to play out, but when we did we were effective. Two of the goals were as a result of that and our moves prior to that were top notch.
“We were clinical on Friday. Bringing back the three boys who scored the goals has been great as they haven’t played for us all season. You take those out of the side along with Jón Dagur – these are players that are creating opportunities.
“The free kick was sloppy to give away, but the lad has executed it perfectly. There was nothing George Wickens could have done. I thought he was excellent in goal though with his confidence and kicking.
“It’s the right time to play a Cup game, we have a couple of players back from injury and some that haven’t played before Christmas which is good to assess fitness.
“United were aggressive in closing us down and Birmingham will bring a similar test in an aggressive style, as we saw up in Solihull. I was pleased with how we played back up there but we should have scored more than two goals.
“I hope this is a start of us putting together the annual run of wins! There isn’t much separating the sides in the pack hunting the play-offs, five points made up and we are in the mix.”