Fulham boss Marco Silva gives his verdict on 2-0 EFL Cup win over Birmingham City

Marco Silva was pleased with Fulham’s performance as they progressed to the third round of the EFL Cup – and gave a special mention to Jay Stansfield.

The Whites beat Birmingham City 2-0 at St Andrews on Tuesday evening. Stansfield scored the opener with Antonee Robinson adding to their lead in second half injury time.

Silva said: “It was our aim to come here and match Birmingham, to try to get the job done and go through in the competition.

We made 10 changes, we deserved the win as we were the best team on the pitch. We respect our opponent, our attitude and commitment was there.

“It was not the best performance for both teams, for sure, but creating a winning mentality is really important for us, winning with a clean sheet again is really important as well. Job done, and we prepare now for the next one.

“He deserved the chance [talking about Jay Stansfield]. He’s been working with me since I arrived at this football club.

“In some pre-season games he did really well. He’s working really hard to get the chance, tonight he got it and he did well.

“He scored a really good goal, and we know he has the capacity to do that. In those areas, if he has the chance to finalise the action, he is really strong. And he did that. In that moment we pressed well as our opponents built up and we got the ball and finalised the action well.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD