Birmingham City player ratings vs Fulham as Ayumu Yokoyama and Jay Stansfield lead rout
Birmingham City strode masterfully into the knockout stages by underlining the step up between senior and Under 21 football.
Two first half goals from Jay Stansfield, two in the second from the dazzling Ayumu Yokoyama - and a silky team move for Alfie May put Blues into the last 32 of a tournament they won when they were last in it in 1995.
Late strikes from Keshi Anderson and Lyndon Dykes' first for the club rounded off a magnificent 7-1 victory.
Having been in a genuine contest for most of the first half, when they scored a couple of goals but also gifted Fulham opportunities, Blues asserted control after the break and looked levels above their callow opponents.
Chris Davies made seven changes to the side that drew at Mansfield – but lost nothing in terms of attacking rhythm as his side played out an entertaining and at times thrilling first half.
They went in to the break 2-1 up as the Willum Willumsson and Stansfield partnership paid handsome dividends with the Iceland international providing two assists for his young team-mate.
The first came in the 17th minute when Willumsson played Stansfield into space to the right of the penalty spot and the striker hammered low, through Alex Borto in the visitors’ goal.
The second came two minutes before the break after a flowing attack from Blues, Willumsson once again rolled Stansfield into a shooting position and watched as he unerringly found the inside of Borto’s post.
In between Fulham equalised, with a quite stunning curling strike from Martial Godo. Midway through the period Blues stood off and allowed the winger to pick out the underside of Bailey Peacock-Farrell’s crossbar.
In truth Davies’ men could have been out of sight by half-time with Yokoyama, May and Willumsson himself all going close.
Fulham actually started the second period quite well but they were soon swept away by more brilliance from Blues. Ten minutes in Yokoyama went past his marker, sat him down and thumped a rising shot in off the near post. It was a moment of emphatic power.
Just before the hour came the goal of the evening as Gardner-Hickman slid Stansfield in for his hat-trick on the inside left of the area. Unselfishly he tried to return the compliment and lay one on for Willumsson, even more unselfishly the attacker squared for May to side-foot home.
Blues made it 5-1 with a quarter of an hour to go as Yokoyama grabbed his second - a vicious volley that flew past Borto. The rout was completed as the game entered stoppage time as Keshi Anderson was released by Ben Davies and converted well.
Or so we thought, a magnificent seven was brought up when Alfons Sampsted squared for Dykes deep into injury time.
Here's how we rated Blues' players.
Peacock-Farrell 7
Had zero chance with Godo's goal, his only other first half task was to smother a Fulham attack near the byline. One cross to claim in the second half and otherwise a bystander until one late save from King.
Sampsted 7
A touch sloppy in the opening period, didn't make the most of his crossing opportunities and gave the ball away in a dangerous position. Did OK in the second, moved over to left back and nearly scored with a beauty. Assisted for Dykes.
Klarer 8
Some commanding play, one galloping run that deserved better support. Rarely troubled by Fulham's youngsters.
Sanderson 7.5
Played one errant pass that was intercepted in midfield but otherwise looked composed enough. A solid showing from last season's captain.
Cochrane 7.5
Like the rest of the defenders, played one horrible pass that landed his team in trouble - but that was probably his only error in an adventurous game. Supported Yokoyama well before being subbed off.
Leonard 8
Provided some lovely play in the first period, his body feint to open up space in the build up to the second goal oozed class. A generally high quality showing against limited opposition, although did overplay once or twice.
Gardner-Hickman 8.5
Nice to see him in midfield where his power comes into play, went close to opening the scoring. Really exerted control in the second period. Very, very assertive.
Willumsson 9
If Leonard oozed class, the Icelander was a torrent of clever passes, neat footwork and admirable vision. Won the ball and delivered a sumptuous pass for Stansfield's opener, set him up for his second and laid Alfie May's goal on a plate. Quite brilliant.
May 8
Bright in the opening period. Good with the ball, good on the press, if only his lob had been as good as his first touch after a ball over the top from Willumsson. Never stopped harrying Fulham on a very good evening which deserved his goal.
Yokoyama 8.5
Showed some very bright moments in the first half, forced one good save from Borto. Ripped Fulham apart in the second though and provided two of the most thunderous finishes you'll see.
Stansfield 8.5
Two clinical finishes will have felt very sweet against his old pals. Unselfishly helped set-up May's goal. Looked several levels above his former team-mates.
Substitutions
Dykes (for Stansfield, 60) Pretty effective and on the spot to finish 7.5
Anderson (for Willumsson, 60) Buzzed about dangerously and finished well 7.5
Laird (for Cochrane 70) Bright 7
Davies (for Klarer, 70) Some lovely distribution 7.5
Not used: Allsop, Paik, Iwata
Opposition
FULHAM (4-3-3): Borto; Gofford (De Jesus, 78), Nsasi, Amissah, Esenga; Nwoko (Works 64), King, Donnell; Sekularac (Gordon, 78), Osmand (Loupalo-Bi 63), Godo. Subs: McNally, Park, Ali Wahid,
Goals
Blues: Stansfield (17, 43), Yokoyama (54, 74), May (59), Anderson (90+4), Dykes (90+6)
Fulham U21: Godo (22)
Referee: Dale Baines
Attendance: 6,900 (67 away)