Fulham Under-21s kicked off their Premier League Cup campaign with a 6-1 win over local rivals Brentford on Friday evening.
George Okkas and Callum McFarlane both struck in the first half to give us a 2-0 lead at the break, before Michael Olakigbe converted from the spot six minutes into the second half. Thankfully, Okkas, Works, Osmand and O'Neill were on hand to put the game out of reach.
Head Coach Hayden Mullins was able to name a relatively similar side to the one that picked up a resounding 5-1 win over Southampton before the international break.
There were only two changes to the lineup, with Alex Borto replacing Alfie McNally in goal and Kristian Šekularac coming in for Adrion Pajaziti in midfield. After making his return in the previous game following an ACL injury, Imani Lanquedoc featured on the bench again.
The young Whites made a bright start under the lights, moving the ball around quickly and enjoying plenty of it.
Ollie O’Neill had the first opportunity, cutting in from the left and taking aim from just inside the area. His deflected strike whistled just wide of the far post.

Borto did brilliantly for us up the other end soon after, rushing off his line to get a foot on the ball as a Brentford man charged through on goal. The delivery that followed from the left was cleared by Matt Dibley-Dias.
Terrell Works forced Brentford’s Ji-Soo Kim into an excellent block on 19 minutes after an incredible flowing move. The youngster played a smart give-and-go with Dibley-Dias before trying his luck.
The football on display from Hayden Mullins’ side was excellent to watch at times and it was all Fulham as we approached 25 minutes. Okkas had a go with his weaker right foot from range and his effort bounced just wide.
The Cypriot did one better a few minutes later, putting us ahead thanks to a moment of pure class. The midfielder sent a defender skidding along the turf with a skilful chop inside, before again firing with his weaker foot but this time finding the back of the net.

Brentford were struggling to handle our forward play and we grabbed a second on the 37-minute mark. McFarlane calmly cut onto his left in a crowded area before burying his strike into the bottom left corner.
An impressive opening half from our youngsters, who took a two-goal advantage into the break.

We started with the same intensity after half-time, with O’Neill forcing goalkeeper Vincent Angelini into a smart save just a couple of minutes in.
Our cushion was reduced on 51 minutes, when Olakigbe fired home from the penalty spot after a trip right on the edge of the area.
The hosts were riding a wave after their goal and created an opportunity soon after. Kim got up high to meet a free-kick but his header bobbled wide of the target.

Brentford’s Ethan Brierley almost got the young Bees level on 66 minutes. The attacking midfielder received the ball from Olakigbe before curling a stunning effort just wide of the far post.
The home side were getting stronger but we managed to extend our lead, with Okkas grabbing his second of the game. His first-time effort lacked power but had the accuracy to beat Angelini and find the bottom right corner.
Substitute Chris Donnell should’ve made it 4-1 with 10 minutes left after some incredible build-up play. Šekularac, Osmand and Donnell all linked up before the latter had his effort from close-range saved.
We added a fourth with 89 minutes on the clock. Works unleashed a venomous strike from the edge of the area which flew through a crowded area and into the top corner.
We saved our best goal until the 89th, with substitute Callum Osmand watching as his incredible bicycle kick found the top corner. A remarkable way to end the game.
O'Neill scored a beauty a few minutes later, rifling home to make things even better for us.
Yet another strong away display from our young Whites, who get themselves three points on the board in Group G.
Possession
60%Shots
21Shots On Target
10Corners
5Fouls
192
0
Cards
3
0
Brentford U21: Angelini, Farr, Zabeli (Laidlaw 76'), Kim Ji-Soo, Adedokun, Brierley, Yogane (Morgan 73'), Owen, Hay (Dickov 65'), Young-Coombes, Olakigbe
Subs: Laidlaw, Morgan, Dickov, Fredrick, Waruih
Fulham U21: Borto, Tanton, Araujo, De Fougerolles (Brad de Jesus 76'), Esenga (Lanquedoc 84'), Sekularac, Dibley-Dias (Donnell 72'), Okkas, Works, McFarlane (Osmand 72'), O'Neill
Subs: Allen, Lanquedoc, Osmand, Brad de Jesus, Donnell