Jay Stansfield refused to celebrate his goal on his return to Birmingham as Fulham cruised to a 2-0 Carabao Cup second-round win.
Stansfield, 21, who was Birmingham’s multiple player of the year and 13-goal top scorer last season, netted after 14 minutes after Raul Jimenez’s 10th-minute penalty gave Fulham the lead.
Birmingham – who are set to sign QPR striker Lyndon Dykes for around £1.5m – hit the bar through Willum Willumson’s blistering free-kick.
But Fulham’s Premier League quality shone despite 11 changes to their line-up.
For League One hot favourites City, defeat ended their unbeaten four-match run.
The Londoners won a penalty with their first serious attack after a handball by City left-back Alex Cochrane. Former Wolves striker Jimenez kept his nerve to coolly roll the ball to the left of goalkeeper Ryan Allsop, who went the opposite way.
Birmingham’s first chance came when Christoph Klarer’s looping header was held under the bar by goalkeeper Steven Benda.
But Fulham returned to the attack to double their lead through Stansfield.
The England Under-21 international controlled a long pass from £20m new signing from Crystal Palace Joachim Andersen and calmly curled the ball around Allsop into the far corner.
The youngster refused to celebrate out of respect to the club where he spent last season and was applauded by the City fans behind the goal.
Stansfield attempted to double his account with an audacious 40-yard effort but it drifted wide.
Keshi Anderson’s header was nodded off the line by Timothy Castagne as City sought a way back into the tie.
But Fulham were in control and they almost snatched a third goal when Krystian Bielik put behind his own goal under pressure from Jimenez.
Birmingham went closest to opening their account in the first period two minutes before the break when Willumson’s thunderous free-kick crashed off the bar to safety.
Birmingham looked to take the game to Fulham after the break without threatening Fulham’s goal.
City manager Chris Davies made a triple substitution just after the hour to drag his side back into the tie.
Tyler Roberts, Koji Miyoshi and Ayumu Yokoyama replaced Alfie May, Emil Hansson and Anderson and it seemed to work as City threatened for the first time in the second half.
Cochrane let fly with a full-blooded drive but his 25-yard effort was pushed around the post by Benda.
Stansfield was applauded by both sets of fans when he was substituted in the 78th minute.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
