Robins knocked out of Carabao Cup despite improved second-half show

BRISTOL City were left frustrated after a poor start against Premier League side Fulham cost them a potential place in the Carabao Cup third round as two early goals were enough for the Cottagers to progress via a 2-0 victory.

- DanHARGRAVES

Gerhard Struber made seven changes to the side that started the 1-1 draw at Derby County last Friday evening in the Championship with Joe Lumley, Max Bird, Yu Hirakawa, George Tanner, Sam Bell, Josh Stokes and Sinclair Armstrong coming into the side.

City hardly got a sniff of the ball in Fulham's half before they were 1-0 down after less than nine minutes. A teasing cross from Adama Traore was misread by Tanner, who had striker Raul Jimenez lurking, as the Robins defender turned the ball into his own net.

A second blow soon followed as 21-year-old Stokes, on his first start of the season, was forced off injured and replaced by Anis Mehmeti.

The visitors did create an opening when a quick break from the back saw Sam Bell play Sinclair Armstrong into space but the striker’s effort was blasted off target.