Stefano Okaku Chuka celebrates scoring the fourth goal in Fulham's 4-0, Sunday win over Notts County. (Photo: ZumaPress)
That’s because the League Two side’s FA Cup run came to a thundering halt at the boots of the Premier League’s Fulham, with Cottagers methodically dismissing their guests by a 4-0 score.
Fulham got goals from Simon Davies (22′), Bobby Zamora (41′), Damien Duff (71′) and Roma loanee Stefano Okaka Chuka (79′).
Notts County’s most meanginful chance came in the first half, a 25-meter rocket toward the top of the net by Ben Davies that would have flexed the net were it not hit at goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who turned it over the bar.
Given Fulham’s mid-week Europa League match with Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk, Cottage manager Roy Hodgson starting a surprisingly strong XI – essentially, his first team against the League Two-side. Perhaps Hodgson was informed by the Magpies’ strong form in the preceding round against Wigan, who they stressed over two matches, finally winning 2-0 at the DW.
Notts County showed similar capabilities early on Sunday, playing the Cottagers even until Danny Murphy set up Simon Davies, who turned and fired through a defenders legs and past Kasper Schmeichel for the match’s first goal.
Bobby Zamora put Fulham up two just before half with an easy finish off David Elm’s back heal set-up, a deflating goal allowed by a Magpie side that had fought to get a one goal match into intermission.
That deflation led to a second half characterized by more Ben Davies blasts from distance and the eventual County breakdown at the back. Both Duff and Okaku Chuka’s goals came against a County side exploited while trying to pressure the Cottagers.
Despite a series of key injuries, Fulham is back in the sixth round of the FA Cup – the same stage made it to last tournament before being eliminated by Manchester United at Craven Cottage. This season, their draw is slightly more fortunate, matching Fulham against the winner of the Tottenham-Bolton replay.
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