Birm’ham 0 – 2 Fulham

Jay Stansfield refused to have fun his purpose on his return to Birmingham as
Fulham cruised to a 2-0 Carabao Cup second-round win.

Stansfield, 21, who was Birmingham’s a number of participant of the 12 months and 13-goal high scorer final season, netted after 14 minutes after Raul Jimenez’s Tenth-minute penalty had given Fulham the lead.

Birmingham hit the bar by means of Willum Willumsson’s blistering free-kick.

Fulham’s Premier League high quality shone regardless of 11 modifications to their line-up and for League One sizzling favourites Metropolis, defeat ended their unbeaten four-match run.

The Londoners gained a penalty with their first severe assault after a handball by Metropolis left-back Alex Cochrane. Former Wolves striker Jimenez saved his nerve to coolly roll the ball to the left of goalkeeper Ryan Allsop, who went the other method.

Birmingham’s first likelihood got here when Christoph Klarer’s looping header was held underneath the bar by goalkeeper Steven Benda.

However Fulham returned to the assault to double their lead by means of Stansfield.

The England U21 worldwide managed a protracted move from Joachim Andersen and calmly curled the ball round Allsop into the far nook.

The teen refused to have fun out of respect for the membership the place he spent final season and was applauded by the Metropolis followers behind the purpose.

Stansfield tried to double his account with an audacious 40-yard effort nevertheless it drifted vast.

Keshi Anderson’s header was nodded off the road by Timothy Castagne as Metropolis sought a method again into the tie.

However Fulham have been in management they usually virtually snatched a 3rd purpose when Krystian Bielik put behind his personal purpose underneath stress from Jimenez.

Birmingham went closest to opening their account within the first interval two minutes earlier than the break when Willumsson’s thunderous free-kick crashed off the bar to security.

Birmingham regarded to take the sport to Fulham after the break with out threatening Fulham’s purpose.

Metropolis supervisor Chris Davies made a triple substitution simply after the hour to tug his aspect again into the tie.

Tyler Roberts, Koji Miyoshi and Ayumu Yokoyama changed Alfie Could, Emil Hansson and Anderson and it appeared to work as Metropolis threatened for the primary time within the second half.

Cochrane let fly with a full-blooded drive however his 25-yard effort was pushed across the submit by Benda.

Stansfield was applauded by each units of followers when he was substituted within the 78th minute.

Silva: Stansfield is able to battle for beginning spot

Fulham boss Marco Silva:

“I’m almost 100 per cent sure that he [Stansfield] is going to be our player but I cannot guarantee that because it’s difficult to control the market.

“Now we have a plan for Jay. Two seasons in the past it was clear he wanted first-team soccer and he went to League One and he proved his high quality there.

“Last season he made another step and he proved his quality at this club and in Championship football.

“The plan for him is to be a part of our squad. It is actually robust to be a part of the 11 within the Premier League, however he is able to battle for it.”

Davies: VAR would have overturned penalty decision

Birmingham boss Chris Davies:

“We began brightly however the penalty was an especially troublesome choice to simply accept.

“I know how hard it is for referees and officials and things happen quickly but if that was looked at by VAR then surely it would have been overturned.

“It was not a handball. Towards a aspect like Fulham, to concede the primary purpose makes issues troublesome however the response was wonderful.

“I thought we were the better team overall. We switched off from the striker run from Jay Stansfield and although it was
a good finish, I felt it was against the run of play.

“General my overriding feeling is pleasure within the gamers for his or her work ethic, their angle, the idea and the bravery they confirmed and for the standard of our play.”