Everton 2 Fulham 1

Fulham crashed out of the FA Cup, up at Goodison Park, and keep the trophy cabinet locked for yet another year.

Our dreams of a Wembley appearance have once again been dashed and memories of our last trip to the famous stadium grow weaker by the season.

As suspected, Martin Jol named a strong line-up for the tie, having praised the glamour of the competition ahead of the kick-off. One name missing from the starting eleven though was that of Bobby Zamora. However, Jol did choose to reunite the central defensive partnership of Hangeland and Hughes.

With Everton in the same boat as us, namely chasing the one trophy, Fulham got off to a decent start, taking the lead in the fourteenth minute via the penalty spot.

The spot kick was awarded by Howard Webb after Damien Duff`s fierce shot struck the arm of Heitinga, Everton protested but Webb was not for changing his mind.

Murphy stepped up and despatched the penalty with ease.

But, instead of building on the lead, Fulham were soon picking the ball out of there own net when Denis Stracqualursi netted his first goal for Everton, on twenty-seven minutes, flicking in a cross from Landon Donavon.

The Argentine was so moved by his first goal for the club he burst into tears of joy whereas the Fulham travelling support were probably crying tears of angst.

The tie ebbed and flowed and just as you thought we might be heading back to Craven Cottage for a replay, the inevitable happened, we conceded. Seventy-three minutes were on the clock when Fellaini rose to head Everton ahead.

Fulham huffed and puffed and Jol brought on extra fire-power in the shape of Zamora and Trotta but to no avail, in fact it took a great save from Stockdale, denying Cahill, to keep it at 2-1.

Once again the FA Cup dream was shattered.



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