By Ethan Georgiou

Fulham Under-21s made it two wins out of two on Friday night, beating PL2 serial winners Manchester City 2-1 at Motspur Park. 

We went into the break at 1-1 thanks to a goal from Delano McCoy-Splatt, before Martial Godo netted his third of the season to win it for us.

Hayden Mullins made four changes to the side that dramatically beat Wolves on the opening day of the season.

Alex Borto started in goal in place of Alfie McNally and just ahead of him, Idris Odutayo and Devan Tanton replaced Luc De Fougerolles and Luciano D’Auria-Henry who has joined Cheltenham Town on loan.

Having picked up a minor knock last week, Kristian Šekularac was absent which paved an opening for Matt Dibley-Dias who was handed the captain’s armband.

Dibley-Dias leads the team out

We made a fast start and were given an opportunity to go ahead from the spot just four minutes in. Unfortunately, Martial Godo’s powerful penalty was well saved by True Grant at full stretch. The winger showed great tenacity to get to a loose ball first before being tripped in the area.

City threatened up the other end a few minutes later. A nice move resulted in Justin Oboavwoduo bearing down on goal, but his effort was excellently saved by Borto who came rushing off his line.

We eventually got ourselves in front after some suspect City play. Grant’s misplaced pass fell to McCoy-Splatt, whose first-time finish looped over their ‘keeper before bouncing into the net.

McCoy-Splatt opens the scoring!

Our lead, however, lasted a matter of minutes. City’s captain Micah Hamilton did excellently to wriggle through a number of challenges before releasing Oboavwoduo down the right, who in-turn squared the ball to Sodje. A simple tap-in for their number nine.

Works’ solo brilliance gave us a good opportunity as we approached the half-hour mark. After flying past a player, the youngster slotted through Olly Sanderson who charged towards the goal. Our number nine opted to play a ball across towards Godo but it was cut out.

Hamilton thought he’d put the visitors ahead five minutes before the break, cutting in from the right and curling a powerful effort just over the crossbar.

City’s instant response after McCoy-Splatt’s opener meant the two sides went into the break level.

Godo on the ball

Godo wasted no time after the restart, forcing Grant into a fairly routine save just a minute into the second half.

Donnell had a go himself five minutes later, but again, his right-footed curler was comfortably caught.

It was all Fulham and we created a great chance on 57 minutes. McCoy-Splatt slotted Godo through down the right and, after cutting onto his left foot, he drilled an effort inches wide of the far post.

Our constant pressure soon paid off, with Godo putting us back in front. After a massive scramble in the city area, the winger rose highest to nod home.

The away side began to take control as they looked for a leveller. A decent delivery from the right whizzed across our area and thankfully, nobody in blue was positioned to tap in. 

Idris Odutayo

Our lads defended brilliantly but wouldn't have been too pleased when they saw that nine minutes of additional time were still to come.

Works, who had been excellent all night, could've scored an absolute stunner late on if not for some excellent goalkeeping. His curling effort from far out was somehow tipped wide of the post by Grant.

We saw the game out brilliantly and took all three points.

58%

Possession

42%
9

Shots

4
7

Shots On Target

3
2

Corners

3
6

Fouls

9

2

0

Cards

3

0

Fulham U21: Borto, Tanton, Odutayo, Araujo, Parkes (Esenga 33'), Donnell (Okkas 81'), Dibley-Dias, McCoy-Splatt, Godo, Sanderson (McFarlane 71'), Works

Subs: McNally, Esenga, Okkas, Gordon, McFarlane

Manchester City U21: Grant, Samuel, Simpson-Pusey, Alleyne, Taylor, Wright (Galvez 81'), Dada-Mascoll, Dickson, Hamilton, Sodje (Okeke 61'), Oboavwoduo (Lawrence 61')

Subs: Galvez, Murray-Jones, Smith, Okeke, Lawrence