Fulham hold their spot-kick nerve at Goodison Park to make EFL Cup history
Fulham reached the semi-finals of the EFL Cup for the first time in their history after they beat Premier League rivals Everton on penalties at Goodison Park.
The Whites took the lead just before half-time in Tuesday night’s tie when Michael Keane diverted Antonee Robinson’s cross beyond Jordan Pickford.
Everton striker Beto equalised in the 82nd minute when James Garner’s shot deflected off Calvin Bassey and looped up for the Portuguese striker to head beyond Bernd Leno.
But Fulham booked their place in the next round as they won 7-6 on penalties.
Leno saved a terrible attempt by Amadou Onana and Tosin Adarabioyo capped off a towering performance by scoring the decisive spot kick. It is the second time the west Londoners have held their nerve in a shootout, converting every attempt against Tottenham in the second round.
Silva said: “It was a huge moment from Bernd when he kept us in the game with the fifth penalty from Onana. It is not easy to keep the composure and quality in the penalty shootout.
“We achieved something the club had never done in the past. We want more, but we are really delighted with this evening and the moment we are living. We are going to play the semi-finals with the dream to play at Wembley.”
Defender Adarabioyo is out of contract at the end of the season and is yet to agree fresh terms. The 26-year-old has been linked with a move to Spurs and AS Monaco in recent transfer windows.
“He is a key player for us, one of the leaders in our dressing room and we need them to step up,” said Silva.
“He didn’t play the first three months of the season but he is a special player for us. He can defend the box and on the ball – he builds the way I want him to.
“He is getting better and better and it was a great performance tonight. To be able to take the decisive penalty, he deserves all the credit.”
The EFL Cup semi-finals are two legged with the ties to be played across the weeks commencing January 8 and January 22.
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