Luis Boa Morte let his football do the talking tonight as he set up both Fulham goals to dump Everton out of The FA Cup and clinch a last-16 clash with West Ham.
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Luis Boa Morte let his football do the talking tonight as he set up both Fulham goals to dump Everton out of The FA Cup and clinch a last-16 clash with West Ham |
| Luis Boa Morte Stories |
The Portuguese international accused Duncan Ferguson of racially abusing him in the initial fourth-round tie between these sides - but Fulham have so far failed to make an official complaint.
Cottagers chief Chris Coleman criticised the 26-year-old for going public and the Football Association are seeking a full explanation of his claim.
But, after one of the most difficult weeks of his career, the flying winger produced a man-of-the-match performance.
He teed up Junichi Inamoto's thunderous 56th-minute opener for the home side and Steed Malbranque's 100th-minute winner.
In between those goals, there was a moment of incredible drama which encapsulated this pulsating night at Loftus Road.
It came when Everton's Francis Jeffers - the man who grabbed the last-minute equaliser at Goodison Park to take this tie to a replay - struck in added-time after the 90 minutes to force extra-time.
The striker then amazingly fluffed a sitter even deeper into injury-time, paying the price as Boa Morte laid on the winner.
Ferguson's weekend injury had prevented a personal confrontation with his accuser - but Lee Carsley ensured a fiery opening for Boa Morte as the opponents exchanged wild tackles, both of which went unpunished.
Wayne Rooney was also at the centre of controversy in the 38th minute after he tumbled over an advertising hoarding.
The England striker was involved in an angry verbal exchange with the Fulham fan who had helped him to his feet.
But, those ugly moments apart, this was a cracking cup tie with chance after chance for both sides.
Rooney missed a good opportunity and Tomasz Radzinski hit the post for David Moyes' men.
And at the other end, Nigel Martyn made a string of saves despite being beaten by Inamoto and Malbranque.
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Fulham defender Moritz Volz growing in stature each time he plays and looking more and more like a future International. |
| Moritz Volz Stories |
In fact, the only disappointment on a thrill-a-minute night in west London was the pitiful crowd - just 11,551 for a tie which propelled the winners to within three games of the Millennium Stadium.
Everton brought 3,000 down from Merseyside but Fulham fans shunned the famous old competition once again.
Carsley clattered Boa Morte with a wild kick after four minutes but somehow escaped without a booking.
The Fulham man hit back with a two-footed lunge right under the nose of referee Paul Durkin, who did not even give the offender a talking-to.
Boa Morte almost scored after 24 minutes. Racing onto Inamoto's through-pass, the winger scooped the ball just wide as he fell.
Sean Davis - who would have joined Everton for £5million in the summer but for his knee injury - then drilled a shot inches past the post.
Everton almost scored twice on the stroke of half-time.
First Radzinski thumped an angled shot against the far post but the ball rebounded into the grateful arms of van der Sar.
The Canadian striker then crossed for Rooney, who should have buried his header but nodded into the turf and Carlos Bocanegra made a magnificent goalline clearance.
But Everton also had Martyn to thank for a wonder-save from Davis as he somehow diverted a stinging half-volley beyond the far post.
The second half began as the first had ended - with goalmouth action at both ends.
Fulham's Moritz Volz made a sensational saving tackle to divert Kevin Kilbane's close-range volley into the side-netting.
Martyn then parried Barry Hayles' shot, allowing the Merseysiders to break upfield, with Radzinski firing just beyond the far post.
The breakthrough finally came for Fulham in the 56th minute - and Boa Morte set up the goal.
He tricked his way past three opponents and teed up Inamoto to slam a superb 22-yard drive into the bottom corner.
Everton tried to hit back with Steve Watson's shot and Gravesen's header, before the injury-time drama involving Jeffers.
| Match Stats |
Fulham |
Everton |
| Goals |
2 |
1 |
| Possession % |
52% |
48% |
| Goal attempts |
20 |
16 |
| On Target |
13 |
12 |
| Corners |
11 |
15 |
| Off sides |
0 |
8 |
| Fouls |
12 |
20 |
| Yellows |
0 |
1 |
| Reds |
0 |
0 |
| source: sporting life/sky |
Gravesen headed into the danger zone and the striker leapt highest to flick a header past van der Sar from six yards.
Jeffers wasted an excellent chance to win the game for his team seconds later when he headed Kilbane's nod-down away from goal from just two yards out.
And the same player should have scored in extra-time when he tricked his way past Volz but dinked his shot over the top.
Fulham seized a 2-1 lead with 100 minutes on the clock.
Boa Morte danced into space on the right side of the area and pulled the ball back for Malbranque to find the far corner via Martyn's outstretched glove.
And the Portuguese player would have capped a memorable night by scoring himself in the second period of extra-time but for another fine Martyn save.
Fulham: Van der Sar, Volz, Knight, Goma, Bocanegra, Djetou, Malbranque, Inamoto (Petta 97), Sean Davis, Boa Morte, Hayles (Sava 81).
Subs Not Used: Crossley, Rehman, Green.
Goals: Inamoto 57, Malbranque 102.
Everton: Martyn, Pistone, Unsworth, Naysmith, Hibbert, Kilbane, Gravesen, Carsley, Nyarko (Watson 62), Rooney, Radzinski (Jeffers 63).
Subs Not Used: Simonsen, Linderoth, Clarke.
Booked: Carsley.
Goals: Jeffers 90. After Extra Time
Att: 11,551
Ref: P Durkin (Dorset).