Fulham took only a second to score the winning goal. But when it takes 10 minutes and
25 seconds to weave four stitches into a defender's wound, leaving a depleted
team to try to keep Premiership opponents at bay for a dangerously lengthy spell,
it is little wonder that Walsall are cursing the nature of the goal.
To make matters worse, having withstood the pressure while Darren Wrack's ankle
was being repaired, Barry Hayles pounced 25 seconds before one of Walsall's
most diligent performers returned to the field.
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Steed Malbranque controlling Fulham's efforts from
midfield
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Walsall manager Colin Lee was left cursing and promised to launch an inquiry
into the medic's unhurried needle. 'I didn't want to take Darren off because
he was playing so well. I felt we held them long enough, but to take that long
to stitch up his ankle is something I need to look in to.'
In truth, Fulham's more refined qualities always looked likely to see Jean
Tigana's side through to the FA Cup quarter-finals. They had to survive a late
scare, when Darren Byfield powered a header goalwards, only for Edwin van der
Sar - who had looked twitchy all game - to choose the perfect moment to make
a top-class save. Panic over. Fulham march on.
Although Tigana stressed that a comfortable Premiership finish is his priority,
the fact that he picked a first-choice XI indicated that this is not a competition
that he intends to take lightly. 'Of course we can go all the way,' Tigana said,
'but the FA Cup is very difficult to win because there is always so much passion
around the game.'
That ardour was in evidence as Walsall set their stall out to remind their
illustrious visitors that they would be no pushovers. Having eliminated Charlton
Athletic at the Valley in the previous round, the First Division strugglers
hoped to profit again by bumping a few Premiership reputations.
Wrack made the point with a crunching tackle on Steed Malbranque. The French
technician flashed back a withering look. Then Walsall captain Tom Bennett offered
Steve Marlet an equally hearty welcome. The tone was set: Walsall would ensure
that space would be minimised for Fulham to weave their passing game.
Although the home team lacked the pace or panache to ask too many questions
of a visiting defence that saw the Moroccan Abdeslam Ouaddou make a rare and
reasonably assured appearance, they created enough chances to win a cup tie.
They should have taken the lead when Van der Sar treated a clearance casually
The ball rebounded off Moreira Herivelto and, with the goalmouth gaping, the
Brazilian missed. A glorious opportunity turned to dust.
| Match
Stats |
Walsall |
Fulham |
| Goal
attempts |
9 |
5 |
| On
Target |
5 |
2 |
| Hit
woodwork |
0 |
0 |
| Fouls |
14 |
8 |
| Offsides |
3 |
6 |
| Corners |
6 |
3 |
| Yellows |
3 |
1 |
| Reds |
0 |
0 |
| source:
www.sports.com |
|
Punishment was added to Herivelto's embarrassment when Lee hauled him off before
half-time and his replacement, Byfield, made an immediate impression. A moment
of trickery and a tantalising cross found Jorge Leitao, who met the ball powerfully
with his head, but it fell straight at Van der Sar.
How costly it was. Fulham broke to earn a free-kick clumsily conceded by Matt
Carbon. Malbranque's delivery was heading towards Hayles at the far post, but
in their eagerness to avert the danger Carbon and Bennett collided and the ball
was diverted past their own goalkeeper.
The second scruffy goal of the day arrived early in the second half, but this
time all Walsall's frustrations turned to elation. Van der Sar flapped at Darren
Keates's corner and could only knock the ball at Byfield and it rebounded in.
The lithe young striker, once of Aston Villa and a friend of the Dutch goalkeeper's
international tormentor Darius Vassell, was thrilled to claim the goal, however
scrappy.
Within a minute, though, Wrack, the victim of a thudding Hayles challenge,
was forced into his long lay-off. As the minutes ticked by and Walsall's 10
men began to look at each other wondering what on earth was keeping their team-mate,
Malbranque seized control of the game.
Fulham unlaced Walsall to crucial effect on the hour. Steve Finnan surged down
the right and whipped the ball across to Hayles, whose spectacular, swivelling
volley flew past Walker in a blur. Skill to savour after two scratchy efforts.
Tigana was particularly pleased for the burly scorer and the only thing that
would increase his satisfaction is a home draw for the next round, something
that Fulham have not been blessed with thus far. Oh, and a Premiership victory
against Middlesbrough in midweek.
Walsall: Walker, Wrack, Holdsworth, Carbon
(Roper 45), Aranalde, Bennett (Corica 76), Keates, Biancalani, Matias, Leitao,
Herivelto (Byfield 37).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Angell.
Booked: Carbon, Matias, Byfield.
Goals: Byfield 49.
Fulham: Van der Sar, Finnan, Ouaddou (Melville 81), Goma, Brevett, Malbranque,
Legwinski, Collins (Harley 90), Davis, Marlet (Saha 80), Hayles.
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Willock.
Booked: Brevett(77, foul).
Goals: Bennett 43 og, Hayles 61.
Att: 8,766 Ref: S Dunn (Bristol).