Fulham secured a nail-biting 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday, overcoming a spirited challenge from the League One outfit to reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals. Goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte emerged as the hero, saving three spot-kicks before defender Issa Diop converted the decisive sudden-death penalty.
Wycombe shocked their top-flight opponents early when former Fulham striker Cauley Woodrow – who spent eight years at Craven Cottage – fired a 20-yard rocket past Lecomte in the fourth minute. The Championship side regrouped after halftime, with Josh King equalizing via a clever near-post flick from a corner for his first senior club goal since joining this summer.
Despite Fulham's £34.6m signing Kevin Mbabu creating chances, Wycombe keeper Will Norris produced multiple saves to force penalties. The shootout saw dramatic twists as both teams missed crucial attempts – including Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon and Jonah Kusi-Asare – before Lecomte's heroics denied Ewan Henderson, Fred Onyedinma, and Donnell McNeilly.
"It's a huge relief," admitted Fulham manager Marco Silva. "We showed resilience when it mattered most." The victory halts Fulham's four-match losing streak and keeps alive their quest for a first major trophy in their 146-year history.
Wycombe's Norris earned plaudits with a 7.91 player rating from BBC Sport users, while Woodrow (7.74) and midfielder Taylor Allen (7.71) impressed for the hosts. Fulham’s Lecomte (6.94) and King (6.53) ranked highest among their squad despite the team's mixed performance.
The Cottagers join an elite quarter-final lineup featuring Premier League giants, with the draw scheduled for Wednesday evening.
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