Fulham narrowly avoided elimination from the EFL Cup after edging League One side Wycombe Wanderers 5-4 on penalties. The visitors were forced to work hard at Craven Cottage after conceding inside the opening minutes.
Ex-Fulham forward Cauley Woodrow silenced the home crowd with a precise low drive from outside the box just four minutes in. It was a reminder of his eight years at the club before leaving in 2019.
The Premier League side struggled to settle after that early blow, finding it difficult to break through Wycombe’s defensive organization. However, Fulham gradually grew into the contest as the first half wore on, controlling possession but failing to test goalkeeper Will Norris.
King levels as Fulham respond after the break
Fulham’s improvement was rewarded shortly after the interval when Josh King grabbed his first senior goal. The forward reacted quickly at the near post to flick home from a corner and bring his side level in the 48th minute.
The equalizer shifted momentum firmly in Fulham’s favor. Both King and £34.6 million summer arrival Kevin posed problems for the visitors’ backline, but despite the pressure, clear-cut chances remained limited.
Although the hosts registered five attempts on target, none of them truly stretched Norris, who remained largely untroubled throughout the second period. Wycombe, meanwhile, rarely ventured forward, content to defend deep and take the game into extra time and penalties.
Lecomte’s heroics seal dramatic shootout win
With the score locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes, the tie was settled from the spot. Fulham converted their first four penalties before misses from Ryan Sessegnon and Jonah Kusi-Asare gave Wycombe hope.
However, goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte emerged as the hero, saving three of Wycombe’s efforts – from Ewan Henderson, Fred Onyedinma, and Donnell McNeilly. That allowed defender Issa Diop to step up and bury the decisive kick in sudden death.
The victory ended Fulham’s four-game losing run and secured a place in the last eight of the competition, keeping alive their dream of a first major trophy in 146 years.
Silva demands more intensity despite progress
Manager Marco Silva acknowledged that his team’s sluggish start almost proved costly but praised their reaction in the second half. Speaking to Sky Sports, he emphasized the importance of maintaining belief and togetherness during a difficult spell.
“We know surprises happen in this competition if your approach isn’t serious enough,” he said. “We were serious, but after some bad results, you feel something around, and the start showed that. It was their only shot on target, and it was a goal we should have defended better.”
Silva added that the performance improved after halftime, with his side creating several good openings but lacking the composure to finish them. “We didn’t play with the intensity we should have in the first half, but we did after that. I told the players we must stay positive and fight through this moment together,” he concluded.
