Fulham manager Marco Silva was pleased with Fulham’s response as the Whites booked their place in the Fourth Round of the Emirates FA Cup with a 3-1 comeback victory over Middlesbrough at Craven Cottage.
After falling behind in the first half, goals from Harry Wilson, Emile Smith Rowe and Kevin turned the tie around after the break, as Silva’s side showed their quality to overcome a stubborn Championship opponent.
Reflecting on the performance, our boss acknowledged that Fulham were below their usual standards early on, but praised the reaction after half-time.
“First-half, we didn't play at our best level, definitely.
It was slow. Off the ball, we were too open in some moments, not compact and narrow enough. On the ball, we did not have the normal dynamic that we have to be able to create much more chances.
I told the players at half-time what we should have done differently.
Of course, we changed for the second-half and we won the game and I think we deserved it.”
With Wilson introduced alongside Raúl Jiménez and Tom Cairney early in the second-half, Marco highlighted the impact of his substitutions.
"The changes made a big impact. Players that are playing with top confidence like Raúl, like Harry Wilson, Tom Cairney.
The energy from Antonee Robinson helped the team. It's very difficult. Today's the fourth game in ten days we have played.
Some of the guys like Emile Smith Rowe, for example, I knew that that the dynamic is not going to be the same. He made a massive effort to be there and to be decisive again.
"It's always tricky to go from Chelsea and Liverpool to play against a very good side from the Championship. Part of our preparation was in that direction - to not underestimate them, to not allow them to think it's guaranteed for us to be in the next round, because I know how this competition is if you're not at your best level.
"In the second-half we were, and of course when we are at our best level, our collective quality and individual quality got us on top and because of that, we won."
There was also special praise for Kevin, who capped the comeback with his first goal in English football.
“He was looking for it. The way his teammates celebrated with him, the fans, it was very important for him.
If you are an offensive player, you need these type of moments, to be decisive with assists or goals. Before in some games, he had good chances but didn't score. Last game against Chelsea, he had a very good moment as well - he didn't score. Even this game, before the goal he had a great shot when he cut in and unfortunately for him it didn't go in.
“It's important. What an assist from Harry Wilson, what a brilliant moment again. I hope that can help him to be confident in those last moments because we need him in the best confidence. The talent is there, it's just for us to keep trusting in the process with him to develop him.”