A blistering volley from Barry Hayles ensured Fulham became the first side to reach the FA Cup quarter finals after a hard-fought win over First Division strugglers Walsall at the Bescot Stadium.
Hayles, fast becoming a regular in Jean Tigana’s starting line-up, smashed home a superb cross from Steve Finnan to restore the Londoners’ lead after substitute Darren Byfield had cancelled out an own goal from Tom Bennett. The Premiership side were indebted to Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, who blocked bravely to prevent Byfield from scoring a second equaliser and securing a replay late on.
Saddlers boss Colin Lee opted to pack the midfield and selected Jorge Leitao as a lone striker. The ploy appeared to work as Walsall made a strong start with Darren Wrack linking up with the Portuguese forward twice in the opening five minutes, with the home side making the early running in foggy conditions in the west Midlands. James Walker a smart save to keep out Sylvain Legwinski’s header from a cross by Steve Marlet before the former Lyon striker nodded wide from a Steed Malbranque corner.
van der Sar then almost gifted Walsall the lead when his miscued clearance went straight to Hervielto but the Brazilian midfielder dragged his shot criminally wide with only the Fulham goalkeeper to beat. Hervielto’s afternoon was soon over when he was replaced by Byfield before half time and the substitute almost made an immediate impact by picking out Leitao only for the tame header to drop in van der Sar’s arms.
Fulham went in front a minute later in bizarre circumstances as Malbranque’s devilish delivery of a free-kick caused consternation in the Walsall defence. Matt Carbon and Bennett wide for the same ball and only succeeded in sending into their own net. Carbon, initially credited with the final touch before that dubious distinction was given to his team-mate, didn’t emerge for the second half having injured his achilles in the collision.
Leitao lashed a driver over the top at the start of the second period, but Walsall were soon level after van der Sar dashed off his line to try and deal with Dean Keates corner. The Fulham goalkeeper got nowhere near it and Byfield bundled in the leveller to the delight of the home fans via his left ear. The visitors stormed down the other end with Malbranque denied an immediate response when Walker wonderfully turned the Frenchman’s free-kick over the bar.
But Fulham did edge back in front on the hour mark when Finnan galloped into space along the right flank and measured the perfect cross that Hayles hammered home majestically from twelve yards out. Walsall were caught short at the back with right back Wrack off the field having stitches in his injured leg. Byfield shot wastefully over from 30 yards before John Collins rattled the side netting with his own ambitious drive from distance.
Fulham held on to reach the last eight but only after van der Sar made himself big to block Byfield’s header at close quarters in the dying embers of a classic Cup tie.
WALSALL (4-5-1): Walker; Wrack, Holdsworth, Carbon (Roper, 46), Aranalde; Biancalani, Bennett (Corica, 75), Keates, Matias, Herivelto (Byfield, 37); Leitao. Subs (not used): Harper, Angell.
BOOKED: Carbon, Matias, Byfield.
GOAL: Byfield (49)
FULHAM (4-4-2): van der Sar; Finnan, Brevett, Ouaddoh (Melville 81), Goma; Davis, Collins (Harley 90), Malbrnanque, Legwinski; Marlet (Saha 80), Hayles. Subs (not used): Taylor, Willock.
BOOKED: Brevett.
GOALS: Bennett (43 og), Hayles (61).
REFEREE: Steve Dunn (Bristol)
ATTENDANCE: 8,766
