Fulham U21 4-2 Celtic U21

Fulham Under-21s picked up their first Premier League International Cup win on Tuesday, beating Celtic 4-2 at Motspur Park.

In what was a busy 90 minutes, Luke Harris, Ollie O'Neill and Olly Sanderson all got on the scoresheet. The other came courtesy of an own goal.

Head Coach Steve Wigley opted for two changes after our memorable 7-0 win up in Leicester. George Wickens returned in goal, and further up the pitch, Swiss international Kristian Šekularac came in for the absent Martial Godo.

Fulham started brightly, but Connor McAvoy did well to slide and block a ball heading through towards striker Adam Brooks early on.

We were denied by two excellent saves up the other end. Harris spun his defender before having his effort well saved. Then, Sanderson watched as his strike was well dealt with by Tobi Oluwayemi.

Sanderson was even closer a couple of minutes later, having his strike from a narrow angle somehow cleared off the line.

Šekularac was next to try his luck, rifling an attempt straight at the ‘keeper after latching onto a poor defensive header.

The visitors still showed their threat, though. Brooks rolled a low effort just wide of the far post, with Wickens rooted to the spot.

We went behind just after the half-hour mark, and the goal came after a moment of magic. Rocco Vata dribbled beyond a couple of defenders before smashing home from far out.

Harris got us level on the brink of half-time. O'Neill found the Welshman in the middle of the area, and he quickly smashed the ball into the top right corner.

After a wild opening half, which could have seen many more goals, the two sides went in level.

We got off to a dream start after the break, going in front on 47 minutes. Sanderson was neatly played through and his attempt somehow trickled over the line after taking a big deflection off the defender, who did well to reach it. It went down as an own goal.

That lead lasted less than 60 seconds, with Brooks converting neatly straight up the other end. A highly entertaining start to the second half.

Stephen McManus and Darren O’Dea’s side came close as we hit the hour mark. Brooks tried a volley from a cross, and his effort floated just over. It would have been some goal.

Celtic were reduced to 10 men with over 20 minutes remaining, when Ewan Otoo slid in and brought down Sanderson, who was through on goal. Matt Dibley-Dias’ resulting free kick was an uncharacteristically poor one.

Under-18s winger Terrell Works came on midway through the second half and almost put us ahead with 15 minutes remaining. After cutting inside from the right, he drilled a low shot inches wide of the near post.

Wigley’s lads could smell blood after the sending off and took the lead with 10 minutes remaining. Works slid Sanderson through, who in turn found O’Neill with a square pass. The Irishman made no mistake, slotting into the far bottom corner.

We saw some late drama a few minutes later. O’Neill felt he should’ve received a penalty up one end after being taken out in the area, before Brooks was released through on goal down the other end. The forward blazed his strike over but should have done better.

Sanderson put the game to bed late on, calmly chipping an effort over the goalkeeper to make it 4-2.

A brilliant game of football and the result sees us on four PL International Cup points.