Fulham 2 City 0

Exeter City fell to a 2-0 defeat in the Carabao Cup against Premier League side Fulham at Craven Cottage.

Two goals from Aboubakar Kamara did the damage for the home side who controlled the game throughout.

The Grecians did create a few chances, but were unable to force enough clear-cut opportunties to hurt their opponents as they departed the competition.

The Grecians made a host of changes to the side that started the match against MK Dons last weekend as Tristan Abrahams and Archie Collins made their full debuts, with Dara O’Shea and Jimmy Oates getting their first taste of competitive football for the club.

There were also starting places for Jordan Tillson, Lee Martin, Matt Jay and Luke Croll, who came on as a second half substitute last time out.

City’s Premier League opponents made a number of changes from their weekend win over Burnley but fielded some notable names in the form of Ryan Sessegnon, Calum Chambers and Alfie Mawson.

It was a nightmare start for Matt Taylor’s side as they fell behind within just four minutes. Cyrus Christie tried his luck from distance, and Pym could only punch the ball away as he made the save, but Kamara volleyed in expertly to make it 1-0.

But credit to City as they began to find their feet, and almost levelled on 15 minutes when they sprung on the counter-attack. After Collins battled well in midfield, he set Jay away, and the striker struck from the edge of the box but could only find Sergio Rico’s right-hand post.

An end-to-end first 20 minutes then saw Fulham break on the counter-attack from a City corner, and Kamara almost added a second from the edge of the box when he tried to curl the ball inside Pym’s left-hand post, but the keeper made a good save to keep the score at 1-0.

The Grecians began to see much more of the ball, though, with Lee Martin involved a great deal down the City left. Taylor’s side were often unable to force any clear-cut chances at goal, as Neeskens Kabano gave a reminder of the Fulham threat on the counter as he forced a low save from Pym.

The Fulham fans were then calling for VAR, when Kamara broke down the left before being challenged by Aaron Martin in the City box, but referee Kevin Friend waved away the appeals as the Grecians went in at the break trailing narrowly.

For the full match report click HERE