Emirates FA Cup fifth round

Fulham 2 (Palhinha 21’, Solomon 56’)

Leeds United 0

Fulham: Rodak (GK), Tosin, Wilson (Willian 81’), Mitrovic (Vinicius 69’), Solomon (Decordova-Reid 81’), Cedric (Tete 90’), Ream (C), Andreas, Palhinha (Reed 81’), Lukic, Lukic, Robinson. Subs not used: Leno (GK), Duffy, Diop, Harris.  

Leeds: Meslier (GK), Ayling (C), Firpo, Koch, Roca (Aaronson 73’), Summerville, Adams, Rutter (Bamford 63’), Kristensen, McKennie, Gnonto (Harrison 63’). Subs not used: Robles (GK), Perkins, Gyabi, Monteiro, Joseph, Gray.

Venue: Craven Cottage

Attendance: 19,359

Referee: Chris Kavanagh

Booked: n/a

Leeds United exited the Emirates FA Cup at the fifth round stage away at Premier League side Fulham, despite a spirited performance in West London which saw the away side create plenty of chances. 

Prior to kick-off, both sets of supporters joined in a minute of applause in memory of legendary commentator John Motson, who sadly passed away recently at the age of 77. 

The fifth round clash got underway at Craven Cottage with a strong United backing - as always - making plenty of noise in support of their side from behind the goal and they saw the first big chance of the game.

Weston McKennie advanced forward from midfield and played a clever one-two with Crysencio Summerville, but Marek Rodak was out to smother the chance at the feet of the winger as he looked to poke it home. 

Moments later, Leeds did have the ball in the net, but it would be controversially disallowed. McKennie’s header was saved and palmed into the path of Georginio Rutter who fired home, only to see the referee award the hosts a free-kick for an alleged foul in the build-up.

With their first shot of the game, Fulham took the lead. Joao Palhinha was the scorer with an excellent curling effort from range, after he picked up a loose pass in the centre of the pitch. 

The Whites were having plenty of the ball though and continuing to create chances. Marc Roca forced a good save from Rodak, before Leeds then had the ball in the net again, and frustratingly saw it ruled out again. 

Rasmus Kristensen was forward from defence and struck a low shot from the edge of the box, which was palmed into the path of Willy Gnonto. The forward finished into the net, but was correctly flagged offside. 

In another close but not quite close enough effort, Rutter thought he had equalised, but saw his header cannon back out off the post!

In a half which Javi Gracia’s had controlled for large parts, they were disappointed to go in behind at the interval, but their first half display had been positive on the banks of the Thames. 

HALF TIME: Fulham 1-0 Leeds United

The battle to reach the Quarter-Final of the competition began again as Rutter got the second half underway at Craven Cottage. 

The January signing was heavily involved when it got back going. He burst forward and created a good chance for Gnonto which was well saved, before then forcing Rodak to make a strong save from his own shot on goal. 

Despite the strong start and having chances again, the home side doubled their advantage and it was another excellent strike. Manor Solomon cut inside and struck a curling effort from just outside the box, into the far corner to make it two. 

Responding to going two-goals down, Gracia went to his bench and made a double change. Rutter and Gnonto went off, with Jack Harrison and Patrick Bamford entering the action.  

Harrison was lively and looking to break down the wing, creating chances. From one of his dangerous crosses, Rodak palmed to the edge of the box where latest sub, Brenden Aaronson, volleyed just past the post. 

Seconds later Leeds went even closer, as McKennie connected with a Harrison cross, only to see his shot cleared off the line by Fulham skipper Tim Ream. 

In an almost carbon copy of the earlier incident, this one with five minutes remaining in West London, Ream was well-placed again to clear off the line from Luke Ayling this time as Leeds continued to be frustrated. 

That was to be the final big chance of the match and the home side progressed into the Quarter-Final stage of the competition, whereas for Leeds, attention turns back to the Premier League as they take on Chelsea next up. 

FULL TIME: Fulham 2-0 Leeds United