Fulham set up Brentford rematch – this time in EFL Cup – after 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday

BY NICK KITUNO

Fulham will face Brentford in the next round of the EFL Cup after they dispatched Championship side Sheffield Wednesday at Craven Cottage.

First half goals from Aboubakar Kamara and Bobby Decordova-Reid helped set up a rematch of last season’s Championship play-off final, but they could have won by more after spurning multiple chances during the second half.

It is the first time Fulham have reached the fourth round of the competition since 2014.

Stefan Johansen was handed his first start of the campaign, while Marek Rodak replaced Alphonse Areola in goal, as Scott Parker made six changes to the side which lost 4-3 away to Leeds United last weekend.

Kamara opened the scoring inside nine minutes when Knockaert raced on to a Michael Hector header from Joe Wildsmith’s goal-kick to tee him up for a sweeping finish.

Wednesday started brightly though and twice threatened to draw level. Adam Reach drew a save out of Rodak from distance before the goalkeeper thwarted Fisayo Dele-Bashiru at close range.

Despite opposition pressure, the Whites grabbed a second after 32 minutes when Bobby Decordova-Reid smashed in Josh Onomah’s delivery following some strong hold-up play inside the box. Undeterred, Wednesday tested Rodak again through Moses Odubajo but Fulham could have had a third had Knockaert not turned Decordova-Reid’s driven cross over the bar before half-time.

Fulham asserted their dominance after the break but should have won by more as Decordova-Reid was denied by Wildsmith in a one-on-one before he blazed over the bar following some neat build-up play.

Knockaert fired narrowly past the post after a rapid counter-attack and teenage substitute Fabio Carvalho came close to chipping the goalkeeper from outside the box.

Although the hosts continued to press for a third they ended up having to settle for a 2-0 win.