Fulham made heavy weather of their FA Cup third round tie at Hull City, but the Premier League quality of Marco Silva’s side told in the end. There were some impressive performances from players who are on the fringes of the first team, which bodes well should injuries and suspensions bite in the coming weeks.

Marek Rodak: The Slovakian international goalkeeper has once again been passed over for Premier League duties having helped the Whites win promotion for a second time. Here, with the visitors under the cosh for much of the first twenty minutes and the closing twenty minutes, he made a series of superb saves to keep a clean sheet that will have reminded Silva that he still has a top quality keeper at his disposal as well Bernd Leno. He did well to keep out a drive from Lewie Coyle and made two brilliant stops to deny substitutes Aaron Connolly and Oscar Estupinan. 9

Bobby Decordova-Reid: Fulham’s utility man celebrated his Craven Cottage contract extension with another outing at right back. He offered plenty of drive going forward in the first half, but a couple of defensive lapses almost allowed Hull to take the lead. Decordova-Reid failed to deal with a routine forward ball – allowing Harvey Vale to run in on goal – and then presented the ball to Ryan Woods in a dangerous position. You couldn’t fault his commitment, but it was no surprise that Silva turned to Kenny Tete to try and shore things up. 6

Layvin Kurzawa: The French full back’s Fulham career has been a stop-start affair since he aggravated a calf problem during his debut against Newcastle on his debut and had to be taken off at half time. Here, we saw why the Whites were so keen to bring Kurzawa in on loan from PSG. Nobody would have had him down as a goalscorer, but he poached an excellent opener after Matt Ingram had parried Harry Wilson’s shot. He drove forward with purpose along the left flank and whipped in a number of dangerous crosses. 8

Tosin Adarabioyo: This might have been a trickier outing for Tosin than he made have anticipated as the Fulham defence were put under real pressure both from the outset, and towards the end, by Liam Rosenior’s side. He emerged with credit despite a couple of poor passes in the first half and helped the Whites keep another clean sheet on the road. Made a couple of brave blocks from Greg Docherty’s shots – one of which had him doubled over in pain. 6

Issa Diop: Another encouraging display from the imposing centre back who has come on leaps and bounds since his debut at Crawley. Diop won almost everything in the air and we are beginning to see why his distribution will have appealed to Silva. Stayed strong even as Hull threw everything at the Fulham goal in search of a late equaliser. 6

Harrison Reed: It took a while for Fulham’s passing football to get going and that was largely down to Hull’s tenaciousness in the tackle and their own desire to get on the front foot. Reed produced another all-action performance, but was something of a red adair in the engine room during the first half. He scrapped for all he was worth, as ever, but the revelation of this season, his productivity in the final third was largely absent here. 6

Tom Cairney: The captain crafted another classy showing on his return to the club that gave him a shot at professional football after Leeds left him heartbroken as a teenager. Cairney won tackles, dictated play and gradually ran the game from a deep-lying midfield position. He almost scored himself with a rising drive from outside the box in the second half, but his willingness to show for the ball and intelligent use of possession was crucial to take the sting out of Hull’s attacks. 7

Dan James: During the first half, you felt the Welsh winger was trying too hard to make an impression after an error-strewn cameo against Southampton on New Year’s Eve. But James’ work both with the ball, in committing defenders and embarking on powerful runs, and without it – in keeping Hull’s defenders honest as they sought to find an equaliser – was vital in Fulham’s success. His pace is a major asset, as shown by the way he streaked away from the remnants of Hull’s defence in stoppage time to seal Fulham’s spot in the fourth round, and James definitely makes the squad stronger. 7

Harry Wilson: Wilson has yet to hit the heights of his outstanding first campaign at Craven Cottage. In some respects, that is understandable. The winger was crudely taken out of a pre-season friendly by Tyrone Mings and his return to first-team football felt fast tracked with Wales’ first World Cup since 1958 on the horizon. Wilson got pelters for missing a glorious chance at death against Leicester in midweek, but worked exceptionally hard here. It still isn’t quite flowing for him, but he never hid and created the first goal with a trademark curler. 6

Andreas Pereira: The Brazilian buzzed around behind his compatriot Carlos Vinicius and was involved in Fulham’s best moves but he probably should have scored the two chances that came his way in the first period. His shot from inside the box was a little too close to Matt Ingram and, although he did go close a couple of minutes later, with an effort that whizzed past the far post, the attacking midfielder had the time to hit the target after brilliant approach work from James and Cairney. 6

Carlos Vinicius: There was plenty to like about the Brazilian’s performance: he was up for a physical battle with Hull’s uncompromising centre backs and held the ball up well, but he faded when the Whites needed a focal point up front. There’s no point comparing Vinicius to Mitrovic because that would be doing the former a disservice, but his first touch remains poor. Unlucky not to beat Ingram with a powerful shot at the near post – he’s clearly much more effective than when he was pressed in service at Manchester City in November. 6

SUBSTITUTES

Kenny Tete: Finished the game strongly at right back after replacing Bobby Decordova-Reid. Dealt confidently enough with the overlapping runs of Callum Elder and covered effectively for Fulham’s centre backs after Hull went to two up front. 7

Joao Palhinha: It was something of a surprise to see the Portuguese prince of tackling come off the bench to replace a tiring Harrison Reed, but Palhinha provided extra defensive diligence in the closing stages and his height was key in repelling a string of late Hull corners. 7

Manor Solomon: The Israeli’s encouraging cameo was arguably one of the highlights of the day. He was diligent defensively, offering cover to Tete in the right back position, and looked lively going forward. The highlight was a sensational bit of skill that beat his man down by the touchline and a speedy run that took Solomon to the edge of the area with the home defence in full retreat. 7

Antonee Robinson: Added a bit of solidity along the left after goalscorer Kurzawa was withdrawn. Galloped forward with abandon and his pace helped Fulham get out of a few sticky situations at the other end of the field. 6

Nathaniel Chalobah: A rare sighting of Chalobah in the wild after he had been banished following his stupid sending off against Newcastle. Helped the Whites see out the game and secure a spot in the fourth round. 6