Fulham mounted a strong FA Cup comeback, defeating Stoke City 2-1 at the Bet365 Stadium thanks to Harrison Reed's late winner.
This fifth-round tie saw Championship side Stoke City aiming for an upset against a Fulham team typically battling in the Premier League. The Potters hoped to leverage their home advantage in a classic cup encounter.
Fulham started the match with strong possession, dictating the tempo early on. However, Stoke's defense held firm, frustrating the visitors' initial attacks.
Against the run of play, Stoke City found the net in the 19th minute. Jun-Ho Bae guided home a precise shot, assisted by Eric Bocat, to put the hosts ahead. The Bet365 Stadium erupted with belief.
Stoke goalkeeper Tommy Simkin became busy, making several vital saves to preserve his team’s lead. Fulham intensified their offensive efforts, but Simkin denied them repeatedly. Timothy Castagne received a yellow card for Fulham just before the break.
Stoke City entered halftime with a surprising 1-0 advantage. Fulham needed a tactical response and increased attacking bite to avoid an early FA Cup exit.
The second half saw Fulham emerge with renewed determination and purpose. Their persistent pressure paid off just ten minutes after the restart.
