While the FA Cup win over the weekend over lower league Notts County was expected, Fulham made quick work of them in a 4-0 thrashing at the Cottage. The Cottagers advance to take on the winner of Tottenham and Bolton for a chance to play in the semi-finals and perhaps ultimately the final for the first time since 1975 where Fulham lost 2-1 to West Ham at Wembley.
The win over Shakhtar on Thursday was fantastic. While the tie is far from settled, the 2-1 win puts Fulham in a strong position heading to Ukraine for next week's decisive match between the two sides.
Fulham was definitely the better team on Thursday. Zoltan Gera opened up the scoring in the third minute to give the home supporters something to cheer about.
Despite Shakhtar pulling even later in the first half, it was Fulham that came out the stronger of the two teams in the second half. Fulham's player of the year, Bobby Zamora continued his scintillating form scoring one of the goals of the season to give the Cottagers a lead in which they would not relinquish.
Mark Schwarzer once again played a great game in goal. He thwarted the Shakhtar attack on countless occasions to keep Fulham in front and in charge throughout the match. He has been one of the unheralded players throughout the season for the Cottagers.
So, here we are in the middle of February and we are still alive in three strong competitions. The Premier League is not going to yield Fulham any silverware, but to finish inside the top ten for the second consecutive season would be a nice accomplishment for the team. With some winnable matches ahead against Birmingham City and Sunderland, the Cottagers could cement themselves inside the top ten with two months to play in the season.
The FA Cup is quite intriguing. With big guns like Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool out of the mix, as well as Chelsea and Manchester City squaring off in a 6th round match, the field is thin. Obviously I would rather see the Cottagers play Bolton than Tottenham but the fact that the match is being played at Craven Cottage bodes well for Fulham. I really feel this could be the season Fulham gets back to Wembley and plays for an FA Cup final.
In terms of the Europa League, the Cottagers still have a big job ahead of them heading to Ukraine next week to think about the next round. One thing that Fulham does have in their favour is that Shakhtar is out of season. In fact, Thursday's match was their first in 2010. Next week's tie will only be their second. While that did not prove to be a problem for them last season, it could this year. Fulham has a lot of veterans on their team that will not allow the rest of the squad to let up in Ukraine. It will not be easy for the Cottagers next week, but I like their chances of getting through.
If Fulham does get through it will be Juventus or Ajax waiting in the round of sixteen. Juventus has a 2-1 lead over Ajax and is in pole position to advance. The thought of a European tie with Juve is mouth watering. Let's hope Fulham can get by next week in Ukraine.
It is quite amazing to me that Fulham has turned what looked to be a horrible run of form in January into what today looks like a minor blip this season. Roy Hodgson has to take a lot of the credit there as he never panicked and bought a load of new players and kept believing in his team. His presence alone in the manager's role is worth more than he will ever get paid. I have said this before and I will say many times in the future, but Roy Hodgson is a Fulham legend. If his fantastic work continues, perhaps a statue will be erected of this guy at Craven Cottage.
Up next for Fulham is Birmingham City at the Cottage on Sunday. The Cottagers will go into the match on short rest because of the Europa League match and while Birmingham City is ahead of Fulham in the league table, the Cottagers are playing at the Cottage and City is not playing as well as it was in December and January. Thus, I think Sunday's match is there for Fulham to take all three points.
Craven Cottage has been a fortress of late for Fulham. Despite their blip of form in January, the Cottagers have played exceptionally well at home. They have played well at home in the league, the FA Cup and the Europa League. The atmosphere sounds great on tv and the home supporters have given Fulham a twelfth man with their never ending support of the team. I commend the Fulham supporters for their effort this season in cheering on the boys. It's been fantastic. I wish I could say I was a part of some of those crowds at the Cottage. But, my TV does me fine back here in Chicago.
So how do all of you feel Fulham will fare in the second leg against Shakhtar? Do you agree with me that Fulham was the better side on Thursday? What about the FA Cup? Would you rather see Bolton or Spurs in the next round? And in league play, what are your predictions for the Birmingham City and Sunderland matches? I would love to read your thoughts.
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