We hoped that Fulham's abysmal record at Turf Moor would be a good omen (no victory in 25 attempts since 1951). We hoped that their performance at Spurs two days earlier would have left them a bit weary. We also hoped that Fulham just weren't up for it. Even if all those things happened, we couldn't have hoped for an emphatic 3-0 victory. That's what we got, although Fulham appeared to be a team not only going through the motions but a team without any heart or soul. I wonder if the 200 / 300 fans who came up would like to put the clock back 10 years or so, and be a team that lots of people had time for? A nice ground in a fine location. Not going to win anything, and even struggle against relegation, but at the end of the day still your team...or whether Mr Al Fayed is thought of with affection? The new Wimbledon - who's next?
Enough of the opposition. What about the Clarets? As good a performance as seen for many a year. Right up there with the win at Scunthorpe, the Derby Cup game in 1999, and then you've got to start looking back a bit further. We played with passion, commitment, and a desire to win every ball. Don't be fooled by Mr Tigana's words: they're just sour grapes. Yes, Fulham didn't seem bothered, but even if they had we would have won, we were that good. From first kick to last we bossed the game. Every press report you read says we deserved it. We don't get too many nights as good as this. Make the most of it.
For the record, Stan kept the same team that beat a very poor Derby team. Actually, thinking about it, I wonder if it's us that are quite a good team rather than just poor opposition - put Coventry in the poor bracket as well. Let's give the team credit where it's due.
Glen and Robbie were on the bench, to come up with the goods if necessary. The way Ian Moore is playing at the moment, can Glen get back in the team?
As early as the third minute there was a sign of things to come. Moore I burst into the box...and dived. Clearly not fooling referee Phil Dowd. Ironically within five minutes Moore I was through again, and had his arm pulled by Harley. He didn't go down this time, though, and the chance went begging. At this stage Fulham played some nice football, but just as I was thinking where would we get a goal from, we did. After 25 minutes, Tony Grant (playing the best football of his Burnley career) put in a cross that bounced in front of Gareth Taylor, who nodded firmly past his namesake in the Cottagers' goal. You're at your most vulnerable after scoring, and almost immediately Beresford did well to save Malbranque's shot from the edge of the box. Ten minutes from half time we doubled our advantage, and effectively killed the tie. West played the ball to Moore I in plenty of space; his delightful chip from the right found the back of the net, and we were pinching ourselves. Coxy almost made it three before half time when he turned in the box from a corner, but his shot was blocked.
The attitude of the players as they left at half time summed up the evening. Burnley ran down the tunnel: Fulham sauntered with heads down. They looked beaten and dejected. Even so, we've been watching this team for too long and know complacency is the road to defeat. Having thrown two-goal leads away this season twice already, we knew the nerves would be jangling if we conceded one.
Fortunately the next goal came for us. A brilliant towering header from Driss. His signing seems to have tightened the defence up to almost watertight. It's surprising how much difference one player makes. I think this goal meant a lot to him. He's gone on record for saying Tigana was his hero, and he certainly enjoyed this moment.
We need to be three goals up, and the fact that Fulham were down to ten men at this stage meant we could cast a glance at Watford. Sean Davis received his marching orders for a crude challenge on Grant. OK, I've seen this type of challenge punished with a yellow card, but I've seen just as many get red. How Fulham can appeal is really beyond me. So, over half an hour to go, and game over. We had a couple more chances, but we were really being greedy to want four, weren't we? Glen came on for a cameo role, showed one or two nice touches, but Robbie stayed on the bench.
Who would have thought that we could beat Premiership opposition with arguably our two most creative players on the bench? A couple of years ago, when we'd already come a long way, I felt we were a one-man team in that almost everything came through Glen. This performance shows how much further we've now progressed. Let's celebrate the good times now - we've had a long time to wait for an FA Cup quarter final.
Moore I Grant Cook Briscoe Moore A
Attendance: 11,635.
Scorers: Taylor (27), Moore I (35), Diallo (52).
Referee: P Dowd (Stoke-on-Trent).
Becko's Man of the Match: Ian Moore.
Complete Control