FULHAM BEAT WIMBLEDON 3-0 IN CARABAO CUP UNDER ARBELOA

Fulham defeated AFC Wimbledon 3-0 in the Carabao Cup on Thursday evening, securing the first competitive victory for manager Álvaro Arbeloa. Rodrigo Muniz and Emile Smith Rowe scored in the first half, with Gonzalo García adding a third goal late in the match. Arbeloa made 10 changes to his starting line-up, whilst Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson selected six changes from his squad.

The match marked Fulham's second London derby in a week and the first meeting between the clubs since 2001. Muniz's goal ended a year-long scoring drought for the forward. García, signed by Fulham during the summer transfer window, scored his second goal of the week. Shea Charles, the midfielder signed in the summer, made his first start for Fulham and played well according to Arbeloa. Luc De Fougerolles, who featured in the recent World Cup with Canada, made only his second appearance for the club.

Arbeloa stated that squad rotation had delivered positive results and that players needed to feel important to the club's ambitions. Jackson commended Fulham's quality and noted that the Wimbledon supporters, numbering around 5,000, had enjoyed the evening. The fixture represented an opportunity for Fulham to test themselves against opposition and for younger talent within the squad to gain competitive experience.