Fulham survived a major scare to advance to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, edging past League One side Wycombe Wanderers 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Adams Park on Tuesday. The Premier League team, currently 17th in the standings and facing a potential fifth consecutive defeat, were pushed to the brink by a determined Wycombe side.
Cauley Woodrow, playing against his former club, stunned Fulham early in the fourth minute, giving Wycombe an unexpected lead. Woodrow, on loan from Luton, picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and, with Fulham anticipating a through-ball, he was given the space to pick out the corner of the net, beating goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte with an accurate strike.
Fulham responded in the second half, with Josh King scoring his first senior goal to level the score. King met Kevin's near-post corner and flicked the ball in with his right foot. Despite the equalizer, Wycombe held firm against waves of pressure from Marco Silva's team. Wycombe's goalkeeper, Will Norris, demonstrated sharp reflexes to deny Raul Jimenez's header, and Tom Cairney's left-footed shot curled just wide of the post. Fulham's record signing, Kevin, also attempted to create opportunities, while Timothy Castagne missed a crucial chance, failing to connect properly with a cross.
As the game neared its end, Kevin's shot was tipped over the bar by Norris, and Jimenez volleyed wide from a promising position. Kevin again came close to scoring, with Norris turning his well-struck shot over the bar and a volley going off target. King had a late opportunity to win it for Fulham in the 89th minute but shot wide. In added time, Anders Hagelskjaer cleared Kevin's shot off the line, preserving the draw and forcing a penalty shootout.
The penalty shootout was filled with drama. Fulham twice had the opportunity to win, but Ryan Sessegnon and Jonah Kusi-Asare were both denied by Wycombe goalkeeper Will Norris. However, Wycombe could not capitalize, as Fulham's goalkeeper, Benjamin Lecomte, saved Donnell McNeilly's attempt. Issa Diop then stepped up to secure the victory for Fulham, sending them into the quarter-finals. Lecomte also saved efforts from Ewan Henderson and Fred Onyedinma.
Fulham now awaits the draw to determine their opponent in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
