Cambridge United bowed out of the Carabao Cup at the Third Round stage as Premier League outfit Fulham edged out a 1-0 win at Craven Cottage…
The U’s showcased excellent application in their first appearance at this stage since 1998, with their resistance finally being broken on the hour as Emile Smith Rowe tapped home. The encounter remained slender as the visitors – buoyed by over 5,200 travelling fans – continued to plug away, but it was not to be their night as they left the capital with their heads held high.
Following on from the come-from-behind victory against Fleetwood Town earlier, Neil Harris opted with seven changes to his XI as many were rewarded for their performances in the earlier rounds of the competition. Only Jake Eastwood, Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, James Brophy and Adam Mayor kept their places, whereas Korey Smith made his first start since January and Shayne Lavery too was chosen from the off for the first time this campaign.
Up against an array of top tier talent with international experience, an atmospheric night at the famous, characteristic Cottage awaited the sensational away support. Whilst the hosts understandably enjoyed the early possession, the U’s stuck to their familiar setup and were quick in the press.
The first slight scare of the evening arrived on the 8th minute when Adama Traore picked out a deep cross from the right that looped towards Raul Jimenez at the back post. Mexico’s third all-time top goalscorer headed towards Smith Rowe inside the six-yard box, but Jake Eastwood did well to get a glove to it to allow Smith – captain for the night – to lunge the ball away.
Fulham continued to orchestrate with a heavy spell of pressure on the ball. Their wing play, in particular, was their main outlet, but the visitors were dealing with the danger impeccably. Kevin – making his full debut after a summer move from Shakhtar Donetsk – hit an instinctive half-volley from 20 yards well over the crossbar, capping what had been a frustrating start for Marco Silva’s men, who were yet to hit their stride.
Up the other end, Cambridge became equally threatening in their final third, with Smith crossing to Lavery inside the area on 24, who did well to sniff out the chance but the ball landed out of reach as the hosts cleared their lines.
Three minutes later, the Northern Irishman was agonisingly close to handing his side a shock lead. Following a trademark throw from Mayor, a moment of pinball in the box allowed Zeno Ibsen Rossi to tee up an unmarked Lavery from 12 yards - who had two bites at the cherry – with the latter crucially blocked and out for a corner.
The U’s remained exceptional value for their stalemate, with the task now being to maintain their levels heading into the break. As it stood, there was no way through for the London outfit, who were attempting to unlock a watertight defence with some quick passing sequences, but it was not falling their way.
In fact, the final chance of an industrious first half fell to Lavery on the 45th minute when Timothy Castagne’s tackle out wide fell straight to the striker, who tested his luck from 25 yards, but the ambitious shot was blocked.
Harris was undoubtedly delighted with how his group had executed the game plan. In the opposite dugout, Silva demanded more and to make the possession – which was approximately 82% in Fulham’s favour - count.
A fast-paced start to the second period for the Cottagers was almost rewarded when Kevin’s cross was picked out by a clever flick from Jimenez with his back to goal, where Eastwood could only watch as it sailed a few yards over the crossbar.
The number one was now being tested on a more frequent basis on the 50th minute, first keeping out Harrison Reed’s tight strike at the back post and then getting low to deny Traore as he showed quick feet before firing a powerful effort on target from the right-hand side of the box.
Wherever possible, United needed to slow things down and just have a breather to try and take the sting out of the tie which was rapidly becoming one-way traffic. Reed was presented with another opportunity just shy of the hour as a nicely-worked move to travel into the area presented him with the chance to get the shot away on his left foot, requiring Eastwood to parry over the woodwork.
Changes were now due for both sides, with highly-rated youngster Josh King on for the hosts and Dom Ball, Sullay Kaikai and Kylian Kouassi on for the visitors - who would provide tenacity in and out of possession.
As the minutes ticked on, it felt like something special would be needed to unlock the U’s. On 65, Fulham found that breakthrough as Antonee Robinson’s deep cross was connected by a fierce volley from Jimenez – he forced Eastwood into a superb diving stop, but on the rebound Castagne picked out Smith Rowe who slotted home from yards out.
Refusing to give in, Cambridge continued to attack towards the sea of amber and black behind the goal. Kaikai embarked on a run down the left on the 70th minute before dancing into the middle and pulling the trigger from 20 yards, which drifted wide of Benjamin Lecomte’s post.
The U’s were still very much in this, knowing the risk of getting men forward on the break was worth it to try and force an equaliser. Substitute Elias Kachunga headed back into the mixer and Kouassi chested the ball down off-balance and attempted a spectacular bicycle kick from yards out, but couldn’t get that important connection.
On the 78th minute, Zak Bradshaw embarked on an energetic run and, despite initially appearing to cross, almost caught Lecomte out as the strike fizzed on target, but the French stopper kept his composure to catch on the line.
As the clock ticked down, the amber nation continued to enjoy their night out. Although they remained hopeful of late drama, an experienced Fulham backline remained steely to see out their passage. A run to remember for Cambridge, with their sights now focused on the bread and butter that is League Two.
Up next, the U’s travel to Prenton Park on Saturday (27th September) to take on Tranmere Rovers – be sure to back the boys.
Fulham: Lecomte, Castagne, Diop, Cuenca, Robinson, Reed (King, 59’), Cairney, Traore (Chukwueze, 59’), Smith Rowe (Berge, 81’), Kevin (Wilson, 86’), Jimenez (Muniz, 81’)
Subs Not Used: Leno, Tete, Bassey, Kusi-Asare
Goalscorers: Smith Rowe (65’)
Bookings: Reed
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Bennett, Ibsen Rossi, Jobe, Bradshaw, Smith (Ball, 63’), McLoughlin, Brophy (Knight, 71’), Mpanzu (Kachunga, 71’), Mayor (Kaikai, 63’), Lavery (Kouassi, 63’)
Subs Not Used: Hughes, Purrington, Watts, Gibbons
Goalscorers:
Bookings: Smith
Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo
Attendance: 16,254 (5,225 away)
