Duff on the mark as Cottagers conquer County to keep cup dream alive

FULHAM manager Roy Hodgson views the FA Cup as the next step in the club’s progression after his side defeated Notts County yesterday to reach the quarter-finals.

Simon Davies, Bobby Zamora, Damien Duff and Stefano Okaka scored in the 4-0 win at Craven Cottage, setting up a last-eight clash against Bolton or Tottenham in the competition Fulham have never won.

Hodgson accepts survival in the Premier League is his priority and reaching Europe like they have this year is a bonus – but his team are now two matches from the final and could continue their remarkable turnaround in the two years since his arrival.

“It would mean a lot to us,” Hodgson said. “It would be another major step forward with the progression at the club. We’ll be highly motivated and nervous about the quarter-final because we badly want a good result.

“Success is probably a continued presence in the Premier League, if we could go one step further that would be fantastic.”

Fulham have avoided Chelsea in the next round and will be helped by Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool having already been knocked out.

“For the teams left, they won’t regret three of the traditional top four in the country not being there,” Hodgson added. “We think we have as good chance as the others. It’s nice to have the lottery ticket because you cannot win the lottery without one.”

The scoreline flattered Fulham, with Notts County performing well in patches and Craig Westcarr forcing Mark Schwarzer into a fine save just before Zamora doubled the lead.

“It was a real potential banana skin and I’m just happy we didn’t slip up on it,” Hodgson admitted.

FULHAM: Schwarzer, Baird, Hughes, Hangeland, Shorey, Duff (Riise 75), Etuhu, Murphy (Greening 69), Davies, Zamora (Okaka 75), Elm.

NOTTS COUNTY: Schmeichel, Hunt, Edwards, Thompson, Davies, Ravenhill, Bishop, Clapham (Rodgers 61), Westcarr (Hawley 84), Jackson, Hughes (Hamshaw 84).

Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire).