Fulham U21 2-0 Middlesbrough U21

Fulham Under-21s went level on points with Manchester City at the top of PL2 with a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough at Motspur Park.

Lemar Gordon finished an end-to-end first-half with the opening goal, sliding the ball under Shea Connor.

Things got even better after the break as Luke Woolston was given his marching orders after picking up two quickfire yellow cards, before U21s debutant Seth Ridgeon sealed the points with a peach of a strike.

With Alex Borto injured, Michael Allen was starting his first Fulham game since September – and it wasn’t long until he was called into action, springing to his left to deny the shimmying Sonny Finch.

The former MK Dons loanee was looking dangerous and his shot from 18 yards could have nestled into the corner had it not been for an important deflection off Ollie Gofford.

Chris Donnell timed his run to perfection after being rolled in by Imani Lanquedoc, but the Young Whites captain took too many touches as he tried to take the ball around Shea Connor.

Boro continued to threaten without taking full advantage of their dominance, as Afonso Lindo saw a header blocked, before Frankie Coulson showed good improvisation to connect well with a volley, which was gathered by Allen.

After an early flurry of chances, the game hit a lull midway through the first period, but Lanquedoc and Terrell Works could have both made better from promising openings.

The half looked certain to end goalless, but halfway through the two minutes of stoppage-time, Gordon poked home with a low finish past Connor from close range.

By the 50^th minute, we had a man advantage to go with our goal advantage as Woolston was shown a yellow card for a foul on Ridgeon.

As a result of that sending off, Hayden Mullins’ side controlled possession in the second period, and a fine chance fell to Gordon who stung the palms of Connor with a powerful strike.

Despite the control, Connor didn’t have much else to do in the second-half, except to pick the ball out of the net in stoppage-time. Ridgeon hit a rocket from 18 yards, which rattled the post on its way past the Boro ‘keeper.

It was a thoroughly professional display by our Young Whites, who are next in action at Manchester United on Monday 17^th February, 7pm kick-off.