Fulham found their cup feet again in east London, beating West Ham 3-2 to reach the Carabao Cup last 16 after four matches without a win. César Palacios supplied the spark at the London Stadium, setting up Rodrigo Muniz before scoring himself in a lively first half.
SEO Title: West Ham 2-3 Fulham: César Palacios inspires Carabao Cup progress
SEO Description: Fulham beat Championship leaders West Ham 3-2 in a London derby, with César Palacios delivering a goal and an assist as Álvaro Arbeloa’s side reached the Carabao Cup last 16.
West Ham 2-3 Fulham: Palacios leads Arbeloa’s side into last 16
Quick facts
- Fulham won 3-2 away at West Ham in the Carabao Cup.
- César Palacios registered one goal and one assist.
- Rodrigo Muniz opened the scoring after 15 minutes.
- West Ham, managed by Nuno, levelled twice, including through Pablo before half-time.
- Former Manchester City player Bobb struck the decisive third goal.
- It was Fulham’s second win under Álvaro Arbeloa, with both victories coming in cup competition.
There was more edge to this than the usual League Cup meeting between sides from different divisions. West Ham may have gone down, but Nuno’s team are leading the Championship and look well placed for a quick return to the Premier League.
Fulham arrived having taken encouragement from a draw at Anfield, but this was another demanding assignment: a London derby, away from Craven Cottage, against a side with little interest in behaving like a second-tier outfit.
Palacios made the difference early. The former Real Madrid academy player delivered the cross that Muniz turned in after a quarter of an hour, giving the visitors the start Arbeloa would have wanted.
West Ham responded quickly from a set-piece, cancelling out that advantage. Fulham’s defending again left their manager with cause for complaint, but Palacios kept asking questions at the other end.
The wide man restored the lead when Andersen picked him out with a fine pass from deep inside his own half. Starting from the left, Palacios took the chance cleanly and finished beyond the home goalkeeper for 2-1.
It did not last to the interval. Pablo brought West Ham level before the break, leaving Fulham to wrestle with the familiar problem of good attacking work being undermined by soft moments at the back.
Arbeloa went after the tie rather than settling for survival. Manuel Ángel, another player with a Real Madrid background, made his debut, while King, Gonzalo and Bobb were also introduced as Fulham searched for a way through.
After a prolonged spell of visiting pressure, Bobb delivered it. The former Manchester City player scored the goal that made it 3-2 and sent Fulham into the next round.
For Arbeloa, it was a second victory since taking charge. Both have arrived in the cups; league form can wait for another weekend, but this was a useful reminder that Fulham still have a little bite when a tie needs winning.
