Birmingham City player ratings vs Fulham: Several 7/10s but two 5/10s as Blues bow out of Carabao Cup

Blues had the better of possession and were the more impressive side for large stretches of the encounter, but the visitors were clinical to take their chances. Raúl Jimenez converted from the penalty spot early doors and Jay Stansfield scored Fulham’s second, netting on his highly-anticipated return to St Andrew’s.

Chris Davies will be disappointed to exit the competition at just the second hurdle but there are many positives to take from a promising performance against top-tier opposition.

Fulham’s penalty came in the ninth minute as a long-range Tom Cairney effort struck the arm of Alex Cochrane, who had bravely thrown himself in front of the ball. The spot-kick was swept into the bottom left corner confidently by former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Jimenez.

The Cottagers gave Blues a mountain to climb just a few minutes later as Stansfield curled a shot beyond Ryan Allsop to make it 2-0. Last season’s ultra-popular Birmingham loanee sprinted onto a long ball from Joachim Andersen and composed himself before picking out the corner.

Bluenoses will have respected Stansfield for his lack of celebration in front of the Tilton End, but certainly not the defending that allowed the goal in the first place. All it took for Fulham to score was one simple lofted pass over the top from a free-kick. Christoph Klarer made an effort to get back but Ethan Laird, who played Stansfield onside, hardly broke a sweat.

There was a decent response from Davies’ side after the Cottagers’ second goal as two chances were created in quick succession. Marc Leonard forced a fingertip save from Steven Benda with a powerful wide free-kick before Keshi Anderson saw a glancing header from a terrific Paik Seung-ho cross cleared off the line.

Willum Willumsson was so unlucky not to score on the verge of half time as he stepped up for a direct free-kick from 20 yards and blasted the woodwork. The Iceland international had beaten both the wall and Benda but was denied by the crossbar, which was still reverberating several seconds later.

The second period started slowly and continued along its steady path as there were only three chances of note before the eventual blow of the final whistle. Blues continued to control possession and went close twice as Cochrane stung the gloves of Benda from range and Willumsson skied over from an Ayumu Yokoyama cut-back.

Harry Wilson had a late chance for Fulham as he found space in the box but miscued his shot wide of the far post. That was the visitors’ only real march forward in the entire second period, emphasising just how well Birmingham defended.

Blues bow out of the cup but not for the lack of trying.

Player ratings

Here’s how Birmingham World reporter Charlie Haffenden rated the home players out of 10 against Fulham.

Ryan Allsop - 6

Perhaps should’ve done better one-on-one with Stansfield for Fulham’s second goal. Displayed an excellent passing range when distributing out from the back, though. Could never have been expected to save the penalty.

Ethan Laird - 5 (off 73’)

Played Stansfield onside for the striker’s goal and inexcusably made no effort whatsoever to try and catch him afterward. Made some decent runs down the right but noticeably lacked with his end product.

Christoph Klarer - 7

Didn’t get close enough to Stansfield for his goal but was solid for the rest of the game, especially in the air.

Krystian Bielik - 7

Led from the back, hardly misplacing any passes. Only put one foot - or rather head - wrong as he very nearly gifted Fulham a third, nodding straight into the path of the onrushing Harry Wilson.

Alex Cochrane - 6

Gave away the penalty for Jimenez’s opener, handballing when trying to block a Cairney shot. The decision was perhaps a little harsh, but there was no denying the ball struck his arm. Otherwise defended well and even forced a save from Benda with a decent strike from 25 yards.

Paik Seung-ho - 7 (off 82’)

Swung in a terrific cross for Anderson in the first half and probably deserved the assist from it. Broke up the play effectively.

Marc Leonard - 7

Strutted his stuff in the middle of the park, playing a key role in Blues dictating possession throughout. Swung in several dangerous corners.

Willum Willumsson - 7

Struck the crossbar with a brilliant free-kick attempt just before the break. Used his strength well against a physical Fulham defence but struggled with his final pass.

Keshi Anderson - 7 (off 62’)

Very unlucky not to score as he made a great run and glanced a header toward goal, but it was cleared off the line. Linked up attacks well, particularly with Willumsson and Paik. Worked hard to track back when needed. Forced off with a knock.

Emil Hansson - 6 (off 61’)

Had mixed success with his dribbling but it was always going to be tough against Premier League defenders.

Alfie May - 7 (off 61’)

Pressed Fulham’s defence relentlessly and often reaped the benefits by either claiming possession or winning fouls. Booked for a reckless challenge on Stansfield as he became a little too eager, mind.

Ayumu Yokoyama (on 61’) - 7

Worked hard to defend from the front and knocked the ball past Castagne on several occasions. A bright cameo from the Japanese.

Tyler Roberts (on 61’) - 5

Hardly got involved, which was disappointing to see.

Koji Miyoshi (on 62’) - 7

Direct and effective in between the lines. Swung in a couple of brilliant crosses.

Alfons Sampsted (on 73’) - 6

Continued where Laird left off, running the hard yards down the right. Unfortunately unable to make a game-changing mark on his home debut.

Lukas Jutkiewicz (on 82’) - N/A

The Juke is always a popular introduction but he couldn’t work his usual magic.