Fulham Cruise To Fourth Straight Win

Main Action:

The Under-18s maintained their spot at the top of the table and extended their winning run to four successive games with a comfortable three goal victory over Aston Villa at Bodymoor Heath. 

A catastrophic own goal coupled with a red card gave the hosts and uphill battle which allowed Jay Stansfield and Fabio Carvalho to find the net in the second half.

Villa had more of the territory early on, but it was Stansfield who had Akos Onodi scrambling across his goal as his shot whistled wide of the angle. A long ball into the channel forced Damian Las into his first save in a Fulham shirt getting a strong palm to his right-hand side.

Villa’s expansive and open football, which has seen them score and concede many times this season, started to show. The direct approach causing the boys problems at the back with Kaine Kesler twice striking inches wide.

The game turned in the league leaders’ favour when Myles Sohna was dismissed for bringing down Stansfield at full tilt as he bore down on goal. Two minutes later a freak back pass from Carney Chukwuemeka trickled into his own net to give Fulham a grip on the game.

The man advantage took its toll on the hosts as side to side moves from Fulham made for a ragged Villains side. Jean-Pierre Tiehi almost scored with his first touch but for a last-ditch Brad Burton tackle. This pressure couldn’t be withstood as Stansfield peeled off his man and did what he does best. Find the goal. Two up with 25 minutes to play.

The floodgates opened on Villa as they sat deeper and deeper. Carvalho picked up a loose pass to slot the ball into the corner. The terrifying trio continued to cause problems as Sylvester Jasper tried to get in on the act with two powerful curlers that needed beating away.

Some unsightly scenes at the whistle tainted what was an excellent controlled win as players from both teams squared off in a melee.

What That Means:

Brighton and Chelsea both won at Arsenal and Reading respectively, but the boys remain top with a superior goal difference and 16 points from a possible 18. 

Notable Talking Points:

• Ollie O’Neill retuned to the bench following three weeks out with a head injury.

   

• Damian Las started his first competitive game since his move from Chicago Fire and kept a clean sheet.

   

• The combination of Fabio Carvalho, Sylvester Jasper and Jay Stansfield has been so potent that one of them has featured on the score sheet in each Premier League game.