FA Cup: Fulham through to their first semi in 27 years

West Brom 0 Fulham 1

Fulham are through to their first FA Cup semi-final in 27 years as Steve Marlet’s 47th-minute header killed off the challenge of First Division West Brom.

Marlet’s goal settled an exciting tie at The Hawthorns after Albion had showed plenty of passion and commitment.

But it was Fulham who created the better opportunities and with steadier finishing could have won by a more emphatic margin.

Fulham, bidding to reach their first semi-final for 27 years, enjoyed plenty of possession in the early stages although the home defence was not seriously examined.

Midfielder John Collins tried his luck from 25 yards out after Phil Gilchrist had conceded the first corner of the game but his shot flew high and wide.

Albion gradually came more into their stride and Fulham defender Andy Melville sliced the ball over his own crossbar following a low cross from Scott Dobie.

Then it needed a goalline clearance from Collins to prevent Albion from taking the lead after eight minutes.

Neil Clement sent over a right-wing corner which picked out Danny Dichio and his downward header beat Edwin van der Sar but was headed to safety by Collins.

At the other end Steed Malbranque had a shot blocked by Larus Sigurdsson while the same player was also off target with a free-kick from 20 yards out.

Albion’s midfield partner Derek McInnes was given a ticking off from referee Neale Barry after a touchline challenge on Malbranque.

Steve Marlet did have the ball in the net for Fulham after 17 minutes after a free-kick from Malbranque had deflected into his path but it was ruled out for offside.

Albion then enjoyed a sustained spell of pressure and they caused plenty of problems to the Fulham defence which has kept 14 clean sheets this season.

After 22 minutes Scott Dobie squandered a great chance to put the First Division promotion-chasers into the lead.

Dichio sent the ball into the path of Dobie who found himself with a clear sight of goal after cutting into the visitors’ penalty area.

But the striker spoiled his good work by mis-kicking his left-footed shot and the ball trickled harmlessly to van der Sar.

Clement then fired in a low shot from 20 yards out which contained plenty of power but it flew a couple of yards wide.

The Cottagers were having to weather a storm of pressure but after 38 minutes they created their best chance.

Saha headed the ball into the path of Marlet but he dragged his low shot across the face of goal.

Hoult was called into serious action for the first time a minute before the interval to clear away with his feet a volley from the edge of the penalty area by Saha after a cross from Boa Morte.

Fulham started the second half in purposeful mood and they needed only two minutes to break the deadlock through Marlet’s seventh goal of the season.

The visitors won a free-kick just outside the Albion penalty area, and the defence went AWOL after Malbranque floated over a cross.

Marlet was able to pick his spot unchallenged and send a powerful header past Albion goalkeeper Hoult.

Albion were shaken by this early setback, and only an incredible miss by Saha stopped Fulham doubling their lead in the 49th minute.

Malbranque sent over a low right-wing cross after exchanging passes with Steve Finnan, and Saha was unmarked eight yards out at the far post.

But he elected to shoot first time, and the ball sailed high over the crossbar much to the relief of Hoult.

Megson’s response was to bring on veteran striker Bob Taylor in place of midfielder Adam Chambers and the home side now adopted a more adventurous approach.

Taylor, 35, was soon in the thick of the action with an instinctive shot from 30 yards out which had van der Sar scrambling across his line to parry the ball away.

Albion were now beginning to build up some momentum again and Sigurdsson sent a header straight at van der Sar following a corner from Clement.

At the other end Collins tried his luck with a volley from 20 yards out which was comfortably dealt with by Hoult.

Dichio was then only just too high with a snap shot from a narrow angle as Albion started to build up a second head of steam.