Fulham 2 West Bromwich Albion 3

Last updated : 25 October 2005 By Footymad Previewer
Junichi Inamoto returned to form for Fulham at Craven Cottage thanks to an extra-time winner.

The Japanese midfielder spent two seasons on loan in West London, but manager Chris Coleman decided he could not afford to sign him on as permanent deal.

Inamoto made him pay a huge price as he stepped forward to score a 35-yard wonder goal to send West Brom through to the next round of the Carling Cup.

The Baggies got of to a perfect start as Rob Earnshaw gave them the lead after just three minutes.

Inamoto caught out the Fulham back line with a neat through pass, and Earnshaw ran through to slip the ball past Tony Warner.

Fulham took a while to get into their stride with only a Steed Malbranque volley to show for their efforts in opening quarter of an hour.

Kanu almost grabbed a second, midway through the first half, but his header was tipped on to the bar by Warner.

Fulham should have levelled on the stroke of half-time, but Zesh Rehman headed wide from eight yards out.

After the break Zat Knight rescued Fulham with a double headed clearance and on 63 minutes the Cottagers found an equaliser. Malbranque played a neat lob over the Baggies defence and Luis Boa Morte raced through before slotting home.

Earnshaw came close moments later, while sub Collins John struck inches wide for Fulham.

Kanu looked to have won the tie with two minutes left, when he nicked the ball off the toe of Warner as the Fulham keeper failed to control a back pass, but Heidar Helguson popped up in injury time to cancel out his strike and send the game into extra-time.

The extra 30 minutes did not produce many clear chances, but Inamoto stole the show with a rasping 35-yard drive which flew into the top corner of the net.

John and Knight had chances to equalise again, but Albion held on despite having defender Paul Robinson sent off in the dying seconds.