Sessegnon sends Fulham through in FA Cup

Cardiff 1 Fulham 2

Goals from Stefan Johansen and 16-year-old Ryan Sessegnon saw Fulham come from behind to book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Cardiff had gone in front early on through Anthony Pilkington’s deflected free-kick but Stefan Johansen, on his 26th birthday, levelled in a bright start to the first half.

What transpired to be the winning goal came after 33 minutes as Tom Cairney hit the bar and Sessegnon poked into an open net from close range.

Lucas Piazon and Sone Aluko both threatened in the second half and the Whites had to withstand some Cardiff pressure late on to go through.

Fulham had gone a goal down after just seven minutes in unfortunate circumstances as Pilkington’s free-kick came off the shoulder of Lucas Piazon and wrong-footed goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli.

But they equalised shortly afterwards when Ryan Fredericks burst past left-back Joe Bennett and cut the ball back for Johansen to stab home from 10 yards.

Bettinelli, given his first start of the season, made a good save from Joe Ralls shot as Cardiff briefly threatened.

But Fulham were much the better side and looked a constant danger, with the excellent Fredericks also involved in the Whites’ second goal as he skinned Bennett again and set up Cairney, whose shot cannoned off the bar and virtually hit Sessegnon before going in.

Slavisa Jokanovic’s side kept good control of the game after the break, though Bettinelli got down to his left to field a low drive from Emyr Huws.

Hunting a third goal to make the game safe, Piazon fired straight at Cardiff keeper Brian Murphy, who also had to make a save late on from Aluko.

Fulham: Bettinelli; Odoi, Sigurdsson, Ream, Sessegnon (Malone 90); McDonald, Johansen (Adeniran 80); Fredericks, Cairney, Piazon; Aluko (Humphrys 85).
Subs not used: Button, Edun, Jozabed, Smith.