Fulham U21 5-4 Hull City U21

Fulham Under-21s got their Premier League Cup campaign off to a winning start on Wednesday, beating Hull City 5-4 at Motspur Park in what was a highly entertaining game.

With our PL2 game against Manchester City around the corner, Steve Wigley made six changes for the visit of the young Tigers.

Alex Borto replaced George Wickens in goal to make his first appearance of the season, while Devan Tanton and Ibane Bowat came in at the back in place of Luciano D’Auria-Henry and Connor McAvoy.

Matt Dibley-Dias started in an unfamiliar position of right wing, which made space for a new midfield partnership of Jay Williams and George Okkas. Callum McFarlane was chosen to lead the line.

Our first decent opportunity fell to Dibley-Dias on 15 minutes. Kristian Šekularac sprinted down the left-hand side before pulling the ball back to the midfielder, whose low effort rolled inches wide of the far post.

The young Whites soon went in front, and the opener came after a brilliant move. Charlie Robinson released Tanton down the right with a great ball over the top, before the American’s pinpoint cross was calmly nodded home by Callum McFarlane.

We doubled our advantage 26 minutes in, with Luke Harris calmly poking the ball over goalkeeper Tom Macauley from close-range. A great day for the youngster, who would have been boosted by the news of a first senior Wales call-up.

Our cushion took a blow just a few minutes later, though, with Josh Hinds wriggling in from the right before smashing a low shot in at the near post.

We went in at the break one goal to the good, but Hull's goal back meant it was all still to play for in the second.

The visitors made a dream start to the second half, getting themselves level after Sincere Hall’s effort from range took a nasty deflection before flying past a wrong-footed Borto.

Hull were enjoying a strong spell in the game and took the lead for the first time as we approached the hour mark. Hinds scored his second of the afternoon, latching onto a ball over the top and tucking home at the far post.

We got ourselves straight back in the game instantly after, with substitute Adrion Pajaziti tucking home a penalty with his first touch of the game after Martial Godo was brought down.

Our lads enjoyed control of the game after the equaliser but went behind again on 71 minutes. Borto spilled an initial effort from far out, which was then tapped home by Jim Simms.

The substitutions made by Steve Wigley made a massive impact, and Godo got us level for a second time with less than 10 minutes remaining. The winger received the ball from the left before pushing it onto his right foot and hammering home. He did well to find the back of the net, with several Hull defenders on the line.

Just as time seemed to be all gone, up stepped substitute Idris Odutayo. The left-back flew past a Hull defender before watching on as his venomous cross was somehow diverted past Macauley and in.

A hard-fought win for the young Whites, who are on three points in Group A.