U21S MATCH REPORT: FULHAM 4-3 BURNLEY

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Action-packed affair ends in defeat

2026-08-21T11:15+01:00

U21S MATCH REPORT: FULHAM 4-3 BURNLEY

Action-packed affair ends in defeat

2026-08-21T11:15+01:00

Burnley U21s started their 2026/27 Premier League 2 season with a 4-3 defeat at Fulham’s Motspur Park training ground on Friday night.

Kian McMahon-Brown and Brandon Pouani gave the young Clarets a two-goal lead at half-time, but the hosts responded with four of their own after the break to take control.

Ellis Clark struck with virtually the last kick to reduce the deficit, but the hosts held on to earn all three points.

There were four changes to the XI that started last week’s Premier League Cup defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Connor Edwards coming in to keep goal.

Cameron Scott and new addition Emmanuel Airoboma joined the defence, while Northern Ireland youth international Troy Savage partnered Clark in the centre of midfield.

Fulham took control in the early stages and Edwards was forced into two smart saves in the first quarter, flying to his right to deny both Macaulay Zepa and Jayden Quashie.

They couldn’t capitalise on that pressure, though, and after McMahon-Brown was fouled in the Fulham area, he picked himself up to convert from the spot with 28 on the clock.

Captain Murray Campbell repelled every ball that came his way, and his team-mates dug in as the Londoners continued their search for an equaliser.

However, it was 2-0 to Burnley in added time at the end of the first half. Jiaming Zhang’s flick on found Clark, he fed Pouani, and the winger beat his man with quick feet before firing into the bottom corner.

Fulham responded less than two minutes after the restart, with captain Quashie rounding off a well-worked team move.

At this point the Whites were enjoying most of the ball and earning plenty of set pieces, so Andy Farrell replaced Stanley with Corey King in the 66th minute.

The turnaround was then complete with two goals in eight minutes. After Jose Sani finished calmy from a one-on-one position, Zepa had a tap in from close range.

A double change straight afterwards saw Zhang and Pouani make way for Vishon Masara and Blayz Borgesson, before Fulham increased their lead six minutes from time through Dan Casey’s penalty.

First-year scholar Archie Lorimer was given his U21s debut during the celebrations and Burnley fought right until the very end, with Clark’s deflected strike making the scoreline more respectable.

The young Clarets’ next competitive action sees them welcome Reading to the County Ground in Leyland on Friday 28th August.

Burnley: Edwards, Stanley (King 66), Scott, Campbell, Airoboma, Savage, Johnson (Lorimer 85), Clark, McMahon-Brown, Zhang (Masara 77), Pouani (Borgesson 77)

Unused Substitutes: Grimshaw

Fulham: Allen, Benchaita, Slade, Cooke, Taylor, Nwoko (Evans 80), Zepa (Vally 90+2), Olyott (Zaidan-Jones HT), Sani (Chingwaro 87), Quashie, Casey

Unused Substitutes: Bagot, Gomins, Konadu-Wall

Goals: McMahon-Brown 28’, Pouani 45+2’, Quashie 47’, Sani 69’, Zepa 77’, Casey 84’, Clark 90+4’