The Fulham under-21 team defeated West Bromwich Albion 3-0 earlier this evening, en route to their fifth straight league victory of the year.
Matt Dibley-Dias scored a beautiful opening goal to mark his selection for the senior New Zealand team. Chris Donnell added a second goal, and Callum McFarlane powerfully headed in a superb cross from Davon Tanton to cap off a masterful away performance by Hayden Mullins’ team.
Kristian Ekularac was given the responsibility of leading the line, and at first glance he appeared to be following the “shoot on sight” rule with a daring long-range attempt that lacked the punch to pose a significant threat to Baggies goalkeeper Ronnie Hollingshead. Luke Harris then skillfully passed the ball behind the home defense, but Adrion Pajaziti’s shot was stopped by Hollingshead. From a long ekularac set play, Harris headed directly at the goalie, but the gifted Welshman knew he ought to have given the Whites the lead.
Pajaziti fired from outside the box, forcing Hollingshead to make a diving stop, but the home team was unable to hold out until halftime due to constant pressure. Dibley-Dias made a beautiful effort to score in the top corner Dias displayed the excellent skill and eye for goal that have brought him worldwide renown with a beautiful effort that he hammered into the top corner.
At the beginning of the second half, Ollie O’Neill came near on two consecutive times before Mullins decided to switch Dibley-Dias and Harris for Okkas and Donnell. The latter scored Fulham’s second goal, driving home a deft cross from Jon Esenga. A tricky cross from O’Neill was nearly turned in by McFarlane when he also came off the bench, but he failed to connect on the stretch.
Six minutes from time, Tanton’s excellent cross was met by a thunderous header by McFarlane, who had already scored.
