Bent’s goal secures cup victory for Fulham

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Fulham 2 Everton 1

Substitute Darren Bent fired home the winner as Fulham came from behind to reach the fourth round of the Capital One Cup.

The on-loan Aston Villa striker found space at a Giorgos Karagounis free-kick moments after coming on in the second half and shot low through the legs of Everton keeper Joel Robles from a tight angle.

Fulham had a poor first half and fell behind when Steven Naismith broke through and shot through David Stockdale’s legs.

But Dimitar Berbatov equalised from Fulham’s best move of the game just after half-time before Bent popped up with the winner.

Berbatov’s return from a hamstring injury was one of six changes, with summer signing Elsad Zverotic handed his Whites debut at right-back.

Berbatov’s presence was a boost after his absence for the defeat at Chelsea, but Everton took a deserved lead when on-loan Barcelona youngster Gerard Deulofeu put Naismith clean through to score a 12th-minute opener.

The 19-year-old Deulofeu caused John Arne Riise all sorts of problems and could have doubled the away side’s lead when he flashed a deflected shot that shaved the far post.

But Fulham improved and a composed Berbatov finished well when Everton’s John Heitinga inadvertently stabbed the ball into his path following Pajtim Kasami’s incisive pass into the area.

Bent replaced Adel Taarabt with 20 minutes left and after almost latching on to a neat through-ball, he was then found by Karagounis’ delivery and netted his second Fulham goal.

Fulham (4-2-3-1):Stockdale; Zverotic, Senderos, Hangeland, Riise (Amorebieta 64); Parker, Karagounis; Taarabt (Bent 68), Kasami, Kacaniklic; Berbatov
Subs not used: Etheridge, Riether, Sidwell, Mesca, Rodallega

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