Fulham U21 1-3 Leicester U21

Fulham Under-21s' 2023/24 unbeaten run across all competitions came to an end on Friday night, with Leicester City beating our youth side 3-1 at Motspur Park.

Jonathan Esenga scored a wonderful free-kick to get us back in the game after conceding two early goals, but just as our lads were pushing, a late Kian Pennant strike ended the game as a contest.

Head Coach Hayden Mullins was able to welcome Tyrese Francois into the midfield, with the technical midfielder fit and ready after a period on the sidelines through injury.

We had a youthful but very exciting back line, with regulars Luc De Fougerolles and Esenga joined by Under-21 debutant Samuel Amissah, who started at centre-back.

For the second week in a row, Luke Harris featured just behind Kristian Šekularac up front.

We had control of the game early on, but a moment of quality meant the visitors went ahead six minutes in. Amani Richards used some impressive, pacey footwork to get past Esenga before having his low effort from a tight angle tapped in at the back post by Marcal-Madivadua.

We reacted well and Ollie O’Neill could’ve got us level a few minutes after going behind. Leicester goalkeeper Brad Young passed the ball straight out to the Irishman, but his right-footed attempt after shimmying past a defender was drilled wide.

We were made to rue the missed chance when Leicester added a second on nine minutes. Arjan Raikhy perfectly slotted the ball through to Thomas who calmly slotted underneath the onrushing Alex Borto.

Harris tried his luck as the young Whites began to threaten in search of a goal back. The Welshman took aim with his left foot but Young was perfectly placed to smother.

We pulled one back in the 24^th minute and what a goal it was from Esenga. The set-piece specialist curled a beautiful free-kick from just outside the area over the wall and into the corner. An entertaining start at Motspur Park.

The lads went in at the break 2-1 down but with plenty of hope of a comeback.

Mullins opted for a change at half-time, with Chris Donnell being introduced in place of Francois.

After a quiet start the second half, the first half-decent opportunity went our way on 56 minutes. Šekularac did well to pull the ball back towards Amissah on the edge of the area, but the defender’s effort was overhit.

The woodwork denied us an equaliser soon after. Devan Tanton swung in a brilliant cross which was met by the head of Donnell, whose attempt beat Young before rattling the crossbar.

Tanton and Donnell combined again straight after, when the former found the Australian with yet another superb cross. This time, his effort right in front of goal was hit wide.

The woodwork was in action again with just over five minutes remaining, but this time up the other end. Richards cut in from the right before curling a strike against the crossbar.

Our lads were doing all of the pushing late on, but conceded a third with 89 minutes on the clock. Donnell’s back-pass towards Borto was under hit and after nicking the ball and taking it past our ‘keeper, substitute Pennant fired home.

It could've got worse for our lads in the final minute, when the visitors won a penalty after De Fougerolles brought down a Leicester man. Borto did brilliantly to dive to his right and keep out Richards' spot kick.

Our Under-21s will look for revenge next Friday, when they host Leicester again but in the Premier League Cup groups stage.