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Match Updates Duncan Ferguson misses this one due to a series of niggling injuries which have get him on the sidelines and (perhaps fortunately) unable to continue his growing feud with Fulham's annoyance personified — Luis Boa Morte. Stubbs also misses out with a heel injury and Campbell is not available to replace the big man, so it's a small pairing up front, with Rooney and Radzinski. Unsworth is back in defence (and as captain) but Pistone must continue alongside him. Nyarko gave the ball away early with a silly back-heel and Malbrangue capitalize, giving Everton an earlier fright. Nyarko made amends and set Radzinski off but Boa Morte went for the ball and was shown the score in no uncertain terms by a strong challenge from Lee Carsley. Unsworth had his hands full with Barry Hales and there were early signs that Everton would struggle against the Fulham midfield which was starting to run at Everton with purpose, denying Everton any meaningful possession. Another swarming attack saw Boa Morte fire wide. He then got his retribution on Carsley with a very late challenge, but no booking. The Fulham pressure continued unrelenting, with a very unsettled Everton side unable to break out during the first 20 mins and a goal very much on the cards. Even in defence, Everton were very shaky, with Unsworth and Pistone at sixes & sevens. Everton did win a couple of corners, the second being played in properly by Gravesen for once, but it would not fall for Rooney. Later Rooney tried to create something but there was no real movement so he tried an unsuccessful pop at goal. Gravesen then goes for it as he ran at goal, but it was a poor shot too close to van der Sar. Everton had a torrid first half, really struggling to do anything constructive, with a hopeless midfield unable to supply anything worthwhile to the forwards. Then totally against the run of play, Radzinski got behind them and beat van der Sar with a superb shot that smacked off the post! Moments later, Rooney and Carsley both came close on the Fulham line but failed to score from a golden opportunity. Sean Davis then ran at Everton and put Martyn under tremendous pressure but Martyn saved superbly with his feet, bringing the half to a pulsating end-to-end close. Soon after half-time, Kilbane got a potshot that just nicked Voltz and spun off into the side-netting, with Everton showing better intent, turning this into a real cup tie. Nyarko later coupled with Radzinski to create a break but his shot fizzled just wide of the left-hand post. Finally, the dam broke, with Boa Morte spinning off three Everton players to set up Imamoto for an excellent shot that had Martyn beaten all the way. A difficult task now surely rendered impossible...? Moyes had made no changes after a poor first half, and now, with the scoreline firmly underlining Fulham's superiority, he continued to wait and wait, with the likes of Nyarko really having trouble. More chances for Fulham ensued and eventually, with 30 mins or so left, Moyes decided to bring on Watson (is he fit?) in place of Nyarko. Franny Jeffers came on as well for Radzinski. Too little, too late? Only time will tell... The substitutions seemed to give Everton somewhat better shape, but the team had played poorly up until this point. Jeffers got a good ball in to Carsley and his excellent shot was saved low by van der Sar. Another good move by Everton involving Rooney and Kilbane saw Steve Watson lash the ball over the bar. A scramble in the Fulham saw a half-chance for Rooney but it wouldn't drop for in as Everton pushed in vain for the late, late equalizer that would rescue this tie. Watson Kilbane and Rooney combined for another great chance that went begging as the Fulham def Then a moment of pure Franny magic. Deep inside the goal area, there was Franny Jeffers to nod a soft one from Rooney just beyond the despairing, scrambling van der Sar! YES, FRANNY!!!! An unbelievable move right at the death: Rooney set the ball up for Kilbane to send in a cross that Jeffers headed barely wide. Seconds later, Jeffers had a second chance to win the game, with another shot that was scrambled away. An incredible end to normal time, with Everton back to their normal selves, squandering golden chances! And so.... EXTRA TIME! Rooney then made a great run and laid the ball on a plate for Jeffers who sliced the ball over the crossbar when it was easier to score! Then it was Fulham's turn to carve Everton apart as the game really opened up in true form for a dramatic FA Cup tie. More chances followed as the tension built relentlessly, with all to play for. But it was Fulham who scored, with a incisive move that Malbranque finished off after Martyn appeared to have saved it. Martyn produced terrific saves either side of half-time in extra time to keep Everton in with a shout. But Fulham were fortified by the goal and came at Everton as the tie went on to it's seemingly inevitable conclusion. Martyn was up for some late corners but it wasn't going to be. A brave rally by Everton, but we were simply not good enough. Michael Kenrick |
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Match Facts | |||||
Fulham
(4-4-2) White shirts, black shorts, white socks |
Everton (4-4-2) Yellow shirts, yellow shorts, yellow socks |
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