Fulham Beat AFC Wimbledon 3-0 to Reach Carabao Cup Third Round

Fulham advanced to the third round of the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 victory over AFC Wimbledon at Craven Cottage on Thursday. Emile Smith Rowe and Rodrigo Muniz scored before halftime, while substitute Gonzalo García added the final goal in stoppage time. The Guardian reported that the result delivered Álvaro Arbeloa's first competitive win as Fulham manager.

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Arbeloa made 10 changes from the team that lost at home to Chelsea on Monday, retaining only Oscar Bobb. AFC Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson changed six players. Shea Charles made his first Fulham start, and Canada international Luc de Fougerolles made only his second appearance for the club. Ryan Sessegnon started for Fulham while his brother Steven lined up for Wimbledon.

The visitors posed an early threat from set pieces. Fulham goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte saved a direct effort from Wimbledon captain Alistair Smith after a corner was only partially cleared. Callum Maycock also had an opportunity from Myles Hippolyte's cross, but Fulham gradually established control and created the clearer chances.

Smith Rowe opened the scoring from close range after James Tilley's attempted headed clearance sent the ball into a dangerous area. Muniz then doubled Fulham's advantage by heading in Kenny Tete's cross. According to The Guardian, it was the Brazilian forward's first goal since the opening game of the previous season.

Arbeloa used the second half to give younger players opportunities. Macaulay Zepa, 18, replaced Bobb at halftime and made his senior debut, while academy graduate Chibby Nwoko also featured. De Fougerolles later went down after a block tackle and was taken toward the dressing room; the report did not specify the nature or severity of any injury.

García and César Palacios, both young players who followed Arbeloa from Real Madrid to Fulham, entered from the bench. García completed the scoring with a composed finish in injury time. Fulham will face West Ham in the third round, with their next league assignment coming against Sunderland on Sunday.