Sport

Fulham could very well win the FA Cup this year

Fulham have never got their hands on the FA Cup before. The oldest trophy in club football has been lifted by 44 different clubs over the course of its 154-year history, but the Cottagers aren’t among them. However, Marco Silva and his players have the opportunity to change that this season.

Having seen off Watford, Wigan and Manchester United, Fulham host Crystal Palace this weekend with a place in the final four of the FA Cup on the line. The Cottagers are just one win from Wembley, two wins from the final and three wins from doing something they have never done before.

It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that Fulham have made it so far in this season’s FA Cup. Silva has forged a team in his own image over the past few seasons with the London outfit capable of holding their own against the strongest opponents. Fulham deserve to be in the competition’s quarter-finals.

While the likes of Nottingham Forest, Brighton and even Brentford have received widespread praise for their performances and results this season, Fulham have largely flown under the radar. They are sitting eighth in the Premier League table ahead of Aston Villa, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. Fulham consistently punch above their weight.

They boast one of the best full backs in the English game right now in the shape of Antonee Robinson who has contributed 10 assists in the league this season. Only Mohamed Salah has registered more. Robinson has been so impressive of late that he has been linked with a summer transfer to Liverpool.

Raul Jimenez has hit double figures for goals in the Premier League this season, marking an incredible return to form after his career looked to have been badly impacted by a fractured skull suffered in 2020. At this moment in time, the Mexican is one of the most effective focal points in the English top flight.

Alex Iwobi gives Fulham threat in quick transition, as does Adama Traore, while Emile Smith Rowe is a natural creator. The England international has suffered from injury troubles in his first season at Craven Cottage after joining from Arsenal last summer, but has still managed to make a positive impact for his new team. He might be even better next season.

In the transfer market, Fulham have a strong track record of identifying under-appreciated talent at bigger clubs and offering them a platform to showcase their quality at Craven Cottage. Iwobi, Smith Rowe, Willian, Andreas Pereira, Bernd Leno, Reiss Nelson and Harry Wilson all fit this mould and they’re all key figures under Silva.

One by one, many of English football’s big clubs have fallen by the wayside in this season’s FA Cup. Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur all suffered relatively early exits, clearing the field for an underdog to make a deep run. This is why Fulham’s quarter-final against Crystal Palace is such a golden opportunity.

Of course, Palace will view Saturday’s match in the same way. They too have never won the FA Cup in their history and will fancy their chances of making the semi-finals at least having hit top form in recent weeks. Oliver Glasner could make himself a legend at Selhurst Park by delivering a major trophy.

Nonetheless, Fulham are well-placed to make this season a memorable one. It says a lot about the success of Silva that a top-half finish in the Premier League table is no longer considered an historic achievement. Winning the FA Cup, though, could make this the greatest Fulham side of the modern era.