Fulham Avoid Cup Upset with Dramatic Penalty Shootout Win
Fulham narrowly avoided an embarrassing exit from the EFL Cup after edging Wycombe Wanderers 5–4 on penalties following a tense 1–1 draw at Craven Cottage.
Defender Issa Diop converted the winning spot-kick in sudden death to seal progression to the quarter-finals, while goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte proved the hero with three penalty saves in the shootout.
The result ends Fulham’s four-game losing streak and keeps alive their dream of a first major trophy in their 146-year history.
Early Shock as Woodrow Haunts Former Club
Fulham’s night began in the worst possible way when Cauley Woodrow, who spent eight years at the club before leaving in 2019, struck against his former team.
Just four minutes in, Woodrow picked up the ball 20 yards from goal and fired a low drive into the corner, giving Wycombe a surprise lead with their only shot on target of the first half.
The goal stunned Marco Silva’s side, who struggled to find rhythm early on. Wycombe defended with discipline and frustrated Fulham’s attempts to build momentum before the break.
Josh King Provides the Equaliser
Fulham returned stronger in the second half, and their persistence paid off when Josh King netted his first senior goal for the club.
In the 48th minute, the Norwegian forward made a sharp near-post run to flick home a corner from close range, levelling the score and reigniting Fulham’s attack.
King and new £34.6m signing Kevin looked bright after the interval, creating several openings, but Wycombe goalkeeper Will Norris stood firm. Despite Fulham recording five shots on target, none seriously troubled the visiting keeper.
Shootout Drama: Lecomte Saves the Day
With neither side able to find a winner in normal time, the tie went to penalties — and it was there that Fulham’s quality and composure finally shone through.
The Premier League side converted their first four spot-kicks, but Ryan Sessegnon and Jonah Kusi-Asare were denied by Norris, leaving the shootout on a knife edge.
Fortunately for the hosts, Benjamin Lecomte delivered a heroic performance, saving three Wycombe penalties from Ewan Henderson, Fred Onyedinma, and Donnell McNeilly.
That set the stage for Issa Diop, who calmly struck the decisive kick to send Fulham into the last eight with a 5–4 win.
“We know surprises happen in this competition if your approach isn’t serious enough,” manager Marco Silva told Sky Sports. “We were serious but lacked intensity in the first half. In the second, we created seven or eight clear chances — and the players showed great character.”
Marco Silva Demands More Despite Progress
While pleased to advance, Silva acknowledged his team’s sluggish start and recent dip in form.
“It was their only shot on target, and we should’ve defended it better,” he said. “We didn’t play with enough intensity early on, but after halftime, our attitude improved. These moments are about staying positive and united — the future will be better when injured players return.”
The Portuguese coach will see the win as a confidence boost ahead of Fulham’s next Premier League fixture, as the Cottagers aim to rediscover consistency after a difficult run.
Wycombe’s Brave Effort Falls Short
For League One Wycombe Wanderers, the narrow defeat was a bitter pill but also a performance full of pride.
Goalkeeper Will Norris was outstanding, registering nine saves during the match and earning Player of the Match honours with an average rating of 7.91.
Wycombe’s defensive resilience, discipline, and ability to press high troubled Fulham for long spells, showing why they’ve been one of the surprise packages of the EFL Cup campaign.
Manager Matt Bloomfield praised his players’ commitment, noting that the experience of facing Premier League opposition would only strengthen their belief for the league season ahead.
Fulham’s Quest for Silverware Continues
The victory not only secured Fulham a spot in the EFL Cup quarter-finals but also lifted spirits inside Craven Cottage after a frustrating month.
As Marco Silva’s side edge closer to Wembley, fans will hope the team can build momentum from this hard-fought win — blending grit, patience, and resilience with the attacking flair they’ve occasionally lacked this season.
Leave a Reply