Daijiworld Media Network - London
London, Oct 29: Premier League side Fulham survived a tense penalty shoot-out against third-tier Wycombe to enter the League Cup quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw at Adams Park on Tuesday.
Marco Silva’s men were trailing early when former Fulham striker Cauley Woodrow struck a fourth-minute rocket. The Cottagers levelled just after the break through Josh King, who scored his first senior goal in the 48th minute.
Despite mounting heavy pressure, Fulham were denied a late winner as Anders Hagelskjaer cleared Kevin’s strike off the line in stoppage time. In the penalty shoot-out, Fulham missed two chances to seal victory as Ryan Sessegnon and Jonah Kusi-Asare were stopped by Wycombe keeper Will Norris.
However, Wycombe failed to capitalise, and after Donnell McNeilly’s attempt was saved, Issa Diop converted the winning kick, helping Fulham end a four-match losing streak that had seen them drop to 17th in the Premier League.
In another fixture, Brentford cruised into the last eight with a thumping 5-0 win over fourth-tier Grimsby, ending the underdogs’ fairytale run in the competition. Grimsby had earlier stunned Manchester United and Sheffield Wednesday in previous rounds.
Brentford, who made nine changes from their victory over Premier League champions Liverpool, dominated from the start as Mathias Jensen’s 20-yard strike and Keane Lewis-Potter’s header put them in control. Reiss Nelson added a third before half-time, while Fabio Carvalho’s penalty and Nathan Collins’ late header completed the rout.
Manager Keith Andrews praised his squad depth, saying, “We’ve got outstanding strength and depth. The players push each other every day, and we’ll field the best team possible to keep progressing.”
Meanwhile, Cardiff advanced to the quarter-finals with a 2-1 win over Wrexham in an all-Welsh clash. Yousef Salech gave Cardiff the lead before Kieffer Moore equalised for Wrexham, but Will Fish’s 71st-minute volley sealed victory and local bragging rights.
Cardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy lauded his young team’s composure, saying, “For a young side to respond after conceding was very satisfying. The spirit in this club makes every win feel unstoppable.”