Fulham mounted a stirring second-half comeback to secure a 3-1 victory over Championship side Middlesbrough in the FA Cup third round at Craven Cottage. The Premier League outfit overturned a half-time deficit with goals from substitutes Harry Wilson and Emile Smith Rowe before Kevin sealed the win in stoppage time.
Boro's Bright Start and Deserved Lead
The home side, with manager Marco Silva watching from the stands due to a touchline ban, began sluggishly. Middlesbrough, second in the Championship, were rewarded for their positive start when Hayden Hackney opened the scoring after 30 minutes. A slick move involving Sam Silvera and Aidan Morris ended with Hackney converting coolly from close range, sending the travelling fans into raptures.
Fulham's first-half performance offered little, with their only notable chance coming from a Harrison Reed corner that Luke Ayling cleared off the line. At the interval, the visitors' lead was fully merited.
Silva's Changes Spark Dramatic Turnaround
Seeking to change the game's momentum, Silva introduced Harry Wilson, Raul Jimenez, and Tom Cairney just ten minutes after the restart. The impact was almost immediate and decisive. Wilson equalised on the hour mark with a moment of individual brilliance, curling a superb left-footed strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the area after being afforded too much space.
Boro came agonisingly close to an instant reply when Tommy Conway's effort clipped the crossbar, but Fulham were now in the ascendancy. The pressure told with 13 minutes remaining as Emile Smith Rowe put the hosts ahead, firing home after being found unmarked in the box by Tom Cairney.
Late Flourish Seals Fulham's Progress
Middlesbrough's chance to level fell to Morgan Whittaker, who skewed his shot wide, and Fulham made them pay deep into added time. Wilson turned provider, delivering a fine cross for Kevin to add a third goal and put a definitive gloss on the victory.
The result extends Fulham's perfect record in the FA Cup third round to six consecutive wins. For Middlesbrough, it marks a historic and unwanted sixth straight defeat in the competition, extending their winless run in London to 23 matches over 69 years.
