On a brisk Sunday afternoon at the bet365 Stadium, Stoke City and Fulham delivered a pulsating FA Cup fourth round clash that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle. While the home side looked set to spring a surprise, Fulham’s resilience and Premier League pedigree ultimately shone through as they secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory, booking their place in the competition’s fifth round for the second consecutive season—a feat they last managed back in 2011.
The anticipation was palpable ahead of kickoff. Stoke City, languishing in 14th place in the Championship and winless in their previous six outings, were eager to turn the tide against a Fulham side that had struggled away from home in 2026. The Potters had advanced to this stage with a narrow 1-0 win over Coventry City, but their recent form, including a 1-0 defeat at Charlton Athletic just days before, cast doubt on their ability to topple a top-flight opponent.
Mark Robins, Stoke’s manager and a former Norwich teammate of pundit Chris Sutton, made four changes to his starting lineup, citing the challenge of facing a Premier League club. Maksym Talovierov stepped in at right-back for the injured Bosun Lawal, Eric Bocat reclaimed the left-back slot, Bae Jun-ho returned as the creative force at number 10, and January signing Milan Smit led the line. The squad was hit by a series of injuries and illnesses, with Ben Pearson among those sidelined due to a sickness bug. Robins acknowledged the adversity, telling TNT Sports, “You can see the players we have missing, it is tough. It's an opportunity for others to come in.”
Fulham, managed by Marco Silva, also rang the changes—ten in total—demonstrating both the depth of their squad and their intent to mount a serious cup run. The Cottagers, sitting 12th in the Premier League, had dispatched Championship leaders Middlesbrough 3-1 in the previous round, but entered the tie on the back of three consecutive away defeats, including a bruising 3-0 loss at Manchester City.
The match began with Stoke City immediately taking the initiative. The hosts pressed high and controlled much of the early possession. Their reward came in the 19th minute when Bae Jun-ho finished emphatically after a slick team move, sending the home supporters into raptures. As reported by VAVEL, “There it is! Stoke City had been pushing hard and in the 19th minute Bae Joon-ho found the breakthrough with a well-taken finish after a solid team move.”
Fulham, however, refused to be rattled. Although they trailed at the break, the Cottagers came out for the second half with renewed purpose, dominating possession and probing the Stoke defense. Their persistence paid off in the 56th minute when Kevin found the equalizer, capping a period of relentless pressure. “Goal for Kevin! Fulham had been pushing relentlessly and finally their pressure pays off with a well-earned equalizer,” VAVEL’s minute-by-minute coverage reported.
The momentum began to shift. Fulham tightened their grip on the match, pinning Stoke back and forcing the hosts to defend deep. With just over fifteen minutes remaining, the visitors camped in the opposition half, determined to find a winner. Tensions flared in the 74th minute, with yellow cards shown to Issa Diop and Bae Jun-ho after a heated exchange—a sign of just how much was at stake.
As the clock ticked down, both managers turned to their benches in search of fresh legs and a decisive moment. Stoke introduced Ben Pearson and M. Manhoef, while Fulham brought on E. Smith Rowe and R. Jiménez, signaling their intent to push for victory. The decisive moment arrived in the 84th minute. Stoke keeper Tommy Simkin, who had performed admirably up to that point, made a costly error. Harrison Reed pounced on the loose ball and slotted home his first ever FA Cup goal to put Fulham ahead. BBC Sport described the moment: “Harrison Reed scored his first ever FA Cup goal as Fulham staged a second-half comeback to beat Stoke City and reach the fifth round.”
The final minutes were frantic. Stoke pressed desperately for an equalizer, but Fulham managed the game expertly, making late substitutions—S. Berge replacing Reed at the 90th minute—to see out the victory. Five minutes of added time only heightened the drama, but the visitors held firm, much to the delight of their traveling supporters.
The result marked a significant achievement for Marco Silva’s side. Not only did they end a run of three straight defeats, but they also progressed to the FA Cup fifth round in consecutive seasons for the first time in 15 years. The Cottagers’ ability to overturn a deficit away from home, especially after recent struggles on the road, will no doubt boost their confidence as the cup campaign continues.
Stoke City, meanwhile, were left to rue what might have been. Despite a spirited performance and a bright start, they were unable to maintain their lead against a side with greater depth and experience. The Potters can take heart from their display, particularly the impact of Bae Jun-ho and the creativity of Sorba Thomas, who remains a key figure for the Championship outfit.
Historically, the fixture added another chapter to a rivalry that has been closely contested, with Fulham now extending their edge in head-to-head meetings. The London club has now progressed from each of their last eight FA Cup ties against lower division opposition since a shock defeat to Oldham Athletic in January 2019. For Stoke, the wait to reach the fifth round continues, but their record of progressing from five of their last eight home ties in this round remains a testament to their cup pedigree.
Looking ahead, the draw for the FA Cup fifth round is set to take place on Monday, and Fulham fans will be eager to see who stands between them and a deep run in the competition. As for Stoke, attention returns to the Championship, where they’ll hope to channel the positives from this cup run into their league campaign.
On a day when both teams had plenty to prove, it was Fulham’s composure and quality in the decisive moments that made the difference. The magic of the FA Cup endures—just ask the fans who witnessed this gripping encounter at the bet365 Stadium.