Fulham's FA Cup Stroll: Thrashing Watford To Advance
Fulham thumped Watford 4-0 at Craven Cottage on Saturday in a commanding display that earned them a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup. A brace from Harry Wilson, a goal from Andreas Pereira, and a late strike from Joao Palhinha sealed the victory for the Cottagers, who were dominant throughout the match.
A Dominant Performance
Fulham started the match brightly and were quickly into their stride. They created several chances in the opening stages and were unlucky not to take the lead earlier. Wilson eventually broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute, curling a sumptuous free-kick into the top corner. This was followed by a goal from Pereira just six minutes later, who finished off a slick passing move to make it 2-0.
Watford had few chances in the first half, and Fulham continued to dominate after the break. Wilson grabbed his second goal of the game in the 62nd minute, tapping in from close range after a cross from Willian. Palhinha then rounded off the scoring in the 86th minute, heading home from a corner.
Fulham's FA Cup pedigree
Fulham have a rich history in the FA Cup, having won the competition in 1975 and reaching the final on two other occasions in 1971 and 2002. This win extends their unbeaten run in the competition to seven matches and means they will be looking forward to the next round.
Watford's struggles
Watford have had a tough season in the Premier League, and this defeat will do little to ease the pressure on manager Slaven Bilic. They have won just two of their last 13 matches in all competitions and are currently 19th in the table, just two points above the relegation zone.
Conclusion
Fulham's victory over Watford was a comprehensive and deserved one. They were dominant throughout the match and created a host of chances. Watford were outplayed for long periods and were fortunate not to lose by an even bigger margin.
Fulham will now face Burnley in the fifth round of the FA Cup, while Watford will focus on the Premier League as they look to avoid relegation.