TAKE a bow Fulham’s recruitment team.
Two of the club’s summer arrivals, Joao Palhinha and Manor Solomon, produced the sauciest of goals to fire the Cottagers into the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 13-years.
Both have played a key role in the club going against the grain in the Prem with an unlikely charge towards Europe – but now they are within just 90 minutes of Wembley.
The club have reached the FA Cup Final only once, losing 2-0 to West Ham in 1975, and never gone beyond the quarter-finals of the League Cup.
Last night was yet another reminder that Fulham outfoxed the likes of Manchester United to pay just £17.2million for tackle king Palhinha from Sporting Lisbon.
It was fitting that Palhinha actually assisted HIMSELF for the 21st minute opener by tackling Roca before curling in a mouth-watering 30-yard strike.
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In the Premier League, Palhinha has made at least 17 more tackles (101) than any other player in the division this season.
Meanwhile red-hot Solomon has now scored in Fulham’s last four games across all competitions.
It was only Solomon’s first start since arriving on loan from Shakhtar after he suspended his contract with the club when war broke out in Ukraine.
He has overcome injury hell since arriving in West London and a warzone with his previous club Shakhtar.
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It was a shame that a third of Craven Cottage weren’t there to see the glittering night due to the club hiking the cost of tickets up to a minimum of £40 per adult to punters who have already shelled out for season tickets.
Leeds fans made up for it though with a bustling away end serenading their side throughout the agonising first half which saw two disallowed goals for them.
The first began with Marc Roca curling a corner onto McKennie’s noggin which Rodak pushed out – but only as far as Georginio Rutter who lashed home from close range.
Cue mayhem in the away end, before party pooper referee Christopher Kavanagh ruled it out for a McKennie foul on Harry Wilson.
It looked soft and was a kick in the guts for Leeds, while only igniting the fire in Fulham’s belly.
Portuguese midfielder Palhinha smelt blood and pounced on a pass meant for Roca, took one touch and lashed the dreamiest of strikes into the corner.
Rivals Brentford will be thanking their lucky stars that Palhinha is serving a two match suspension for their meeting with Fulham on Monday after picking up ten yellow cards in the league.
Leeds hit back strongly though and had the ball in the net AGAIN before it was chalked off.
But there was not a whiff of any controversy in this one.
Rasmus Kristensen’s shot was pushed straight to Wilfred Gnonto and he tapped in the rebound, but was absolutely miles offside during Kristensen’s attempt.
There was then a cacophony of boos from home fans when Kavanagh and VAR were having none of Aleksandar Mitrovic’s furious shouts for a penalty after a tussle with Robin Koch.
Koch looked as though he had his arm round the Serb’s neck, who was giving it back by grabbing the German defender’s shirt.
But Leeds once again were a whisker away from an equaliser.
Wilfred Gnonto chipped a ball from the left side of the penalty area and Georginio Rutter arched a header at goal.
It looped over Marek Rodak but bounced back off the inside of the post before Tim Ream desperately cleared.
After the break Solomon did what Solomon does best with another rocket strike to steal the show.
The Israeli midfielder linked up with Mitro before curling a delicious shot beyond Illan Meslier from 20-yards on 56 minutes.
It seems Fulham don’t do s*** goals this season.
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And it was almost the perfect night for Fulham as talisman Mitro found the net with a vintage header only to be ruled off for offside.
There was a late flurry from Leeds, with Brenden Aaronson, McKennie and Tyler Adams all having a go.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
