Fulham ease past Championship Watford
Fulham 4 - 1 Watford
Premier League side Fulham opened their FA Cup campaign in style, delivering a dominant performance to sweep aside second-tier Watford and book their place in the fourth round.
Despite a brief moment of magic from Watford’s Rocco Vata – whose stunning 30-yard strike levelled the score after Rodrigo Muniz’s 26th-minute opener – the home side were always in control at Craven Cottage.
Fulham dominated possession and kept their Championship opponents pinned back for much of the game, creating far more chances in a confident display.
Raul Jimenez, introduced at half-time, wasted no time in restoring Fulham’s lead. The Mexican striker rifled a penalty into the top corner after Adama Traore was brought down just inside the box.
Defender Joachim Andersen added a third with an excellent finish from a corner, smashing home a volley after his initial shot was blocked. Fulham’s dominance was capped off in the closing minutes when Timothy Castagne nodded in Martial Godo’s pinpoint cross for their fourth goal.
Watford, who have now gone eight games without a clean sheet, struggled to cope with Fulham’s relentless pressure. Their solitary moment of joy came through 19-year-old Vata’s spectacular equaliser, a solo effort that saw him drive forward from inside his own half and unleash a powerful strike into the top corner, leaving Steven Benda helpless.
In terms of chances, the numbers told the story. Watford managed just two shots on target from five attempts, while Fulham had 27 shots, eight of which tested goalkeeper Jonathan Bond.
Fulham v Watford highlights. Click below. More reaction to come from European Super Football. eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com/p/fa-cup-202... youtu.be/CBepGO1Oztw?...
— European Super Football (@superfootball.bsky.social) 10 January 2025 at 21:42
[image or embed]
Fulham eventually show their class
From the very first whistle, Fulham took charge and never looked in danger of losing control.
Marco Silva’s side played with energy, precision, and attacking intent. Adama Traore and Alex Iwobi were constant threats on the flanks, while the team's build-up play was sharp and fluid.
Midfielders Andreas Pereira and Sasa Lukic were quick to snuff out any attempts by Watford to counter-attack, keeping the visitors pinned in their own half for much of the game.
Remarkably, Watford managed only two touches in Fulham’s box before Rocco Vata’s stunning equaliser – a number that rose to just three by full-time.
Silva, returning to face his former club after leaving them for Everton in 2018, made seven changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Ipswich on Sunday. However, the reshuffle didn’t disrupt Fulham’s performance, with the team maintaining their dominance throughout.
Click here for more news and stories from Craven Cottage
There's still a big season ahead for Tom Cleverley's side
Despite this defeat, Tom Cleverley will still be pleased with how much of their season has gone so far. The former Manchester United and Everton midfielder has them just outside of the play-off positions and they will be confident that they have every chance of reaching them come the end of the season.
🐝🏆 A real sense of togetherness and spirit in the away end at #WatfordFC last night. A big, noisy, supportive and appreciative Hornets following - a real indicator as to the job Tom Cleverley is doing and the supporters affinity with him. pic.twitter.com/0lOVH1Urxt
— Rookery Mike (@RookeryMike) January 10, 2025
The Twitter post above probably shows how most Watford fans feel about their manager. There was a fantastic atmosphere coming from the away end at Craven Cottage.
