This was a victory to be cherished as much by those overseeing Fulham’s academy as the management of a revived first-team. For the first time since the turn of the century, and admittedly after plenty of time in the top-flight themselves, this club has a beaten opponents from a higher division to progress in a domestic cup competition. Their kids are better than alright. The conveyor-belt is gloriously productive.
It took a goal from Lasse Vigen Christensen, who had actually joined the youth ranks from Midtjylland at the age of 17, to see off a disjointed and disappointing Middlesbrough. The Dane sprinted into the clutter of the six-yard box to poke in Scott Malone’s low centre, after excellent initial work from the young Luca de la Torre, seven minutes from the end of extra-time. In truth, the whole contest ended up feeling like a prolonged tribute to the work of Huw Jennings and his coaching staff back at Motspur Park. Boro may have had the initial swagger and the weighty experience, but they were eclipsed by youthful energy and burgeoning quality.
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