Fulham FC threw down the gauntlet with a convincing 4-1 victory over Watford FC during their FA Cup third-round clash at Craven Cottage on January 9, 2025. This spirited performance from the Cottagers secured them a place in the next round, as they showcased resilience and class throughout the match.
The afternoon began with plenty of anticipation surrounding the historic tournament, which inspired both teams to deliver noteworthy performances. With Fulham currently sitting mid-table in the Premier League and boasting an unbeaten streak across their last few matches, they were expected to take full advantage of their home turf against Championship side Watford, who had been grappling with poor form.
Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz set the tone early, scoring the first goal of the match just 26 minutes in, expertly sweeping home from inside the box after receiving a precise cross from Adama Traoré. It was the result of relentless pressure from the home side, who dominated possession and had the bulk of the attacking threat right from the kickoff.
Just when it appeared Fulham would carry their lead comfortably, Watford struck back. Rocco Vata’s brilliant long-range effort from about 30 yards flew past Fulham keeper Steven Benda, leveling the score at 1-1. This momentary equalizer, albeit impressive, was short-lived as Fulham maintained composure and continued their offensive onslaught.
Marco Silva, the Fulham manager, made tactical adjustments at halftime—most significantly introducing Raúl Jiménez, who proved impactful almost immediately. Jiménez earned Fulham their second goal by converting from the penalty spot after he was fouled by Watford defender Antonio Tikvic just outside the area. With his experience, Jiménez coolly placed the spot-kick to restore Fulham's lead.
Building momentum, Fulham continued their relentless attack. Joachim Andersen, demonstrating skill and timing, found the net following a corner kick from Andreas Pereira. Andersen's powerful volley put Fulham up by two goals and effectively crushed Watford's spirits.
With the match entering its closing stages, Fulham added yet another goal to cement their dominance. Timothy Castagne capped off the performance by nodding home from close range after receiving Martial Godo's assist. The ease with which Fulham concluded the match demonstrated their overall superiority throughout the game.
Watford struggled to create any substantial threats, managing just two touches within Fulham’s penalty area before Vata's equalizer and only rising to three by the final whistle. They finished the match with only two shots on target compared to Fulham's eight from twenty-seven attempts—a stark representation of the team's struggles against the Premier League side.
Despite Watford's recent history of outperforming Fulham, having won three of their last five encounters before this match, their performance today fell short. Tom Cleverley’s squad faces mounting pressure as they navigate through the Championship, and the challenges continue against teams from the top-flight league.
The win puts Fulham through to the fourth round of the FA Cup, marking another opportunity for the club to chase silverware. Fulham fans can find renewed hope as they reflect on the team's potential progress under Marco Silva.
With possession stats leaning heavily toward Fulham, coupled with the sharp attacking instincts of players like Jiménez, Iwobi, and Traoré, the match felt like a decisive hit on the Hornets. Although Watford can take solace from the quality of Vata’s goal, they know they must regroup to combat their struggles moving forward. The focus now returns to league play for both clubs, where Fulham eyes upper mid-table stability, and Watford looks to reinstate itself as promotion contenders.