Report: Fulham 4-1 Watford

• Hornets knocked out of Emirates FA Cup third round
• Fulham take first-half lead through Muniz
• Vata scores long-range stunner to equalise before the break
• Hosts add three after half-time through Jimenez, Andersen and Castagne
• Late debut for young forward Nabizada

Watford were knocked out of the Emirates FA Cup by Premier League Fulham despite a goal of the highest quality from Rocco Vata.

Rodrigo Muniz opened the scoring for the Cottagers midway through the first-half but the Hornets struck back through Vata’s incredible strike from 30 yards.

Fulham dominated after the break and secured their place in the fourth round with a Raul Jimenez penalty as well as goals from Joachim Andersen and Timothy Castagne.

Tom Cleverley handed gametime to several of the fringe members of his squad, making seven changes to the 11 that started against Sheffield United.

Notably, Jonathan Bond was named captain whilst replacing the injured Daniel Bachmann in goal, and there were first Watford starts for Antonio Tikvić and Mamadou Doumbia.

The Hornets found themselves camped in their own half during the opening exchanges, Muniz getting a volley away that was headed clear by Angelo Ogbonna in the game’s first chance with 16 minutes played.

Minutes later, Alex Iwobi unleashed a curling effort from 25 yards that Bond got the slightest of touches to, crucially diverting it wide of the post. 

Watford had ventured forward on occasion and saw a hopeful Edo Kayembe shot sail wide, just moments before the hosts were to open the scoring.

Adama Traore centred for Muniz, who found the bottom corner with a neat first-time volley from inside the area.

In for his fourth start in yellow, Pierre Dwomoh had already received treatment and eventually had to be withdrawn on the half-hour, Imrân Louza taking his place in the middle of the park.

The Hornets were to equalise in the most spectacular fashion moments later. After receiving a pass from Tikvić, Vata turned and advanced before unleashing a stunning strike from 30 yards that flew past goalkeeper Steven Benda and nestled into the top corner.

With three sides of Craven Cottage shell shocked, there was bedlam among the 4,329-strong travelling contingent.

Possibly inspired by Vata’s antics, Ince tried his luck from a similar distance but this time it was a comfortable catch for Benda and the sides went into half-time level.

Fulham opted to introduce Jimenez at the break and the Mexican had a near instant impact. Tikvić was adjudged to have tripped Traore just inside the penalty area and Jimenez duly converted the spot-kick to restore the Cottagers’ lead just three minutes after the restart.

Sasa Lukic nearly added a third with a sweet volley that whistled an inch wide, then ex-Arsenal attacker Emile Smith Rowe was denied by a fine Bond save from point-blank range after a cutback from Jimenez.

The hosts did extend their lead midway through the second-half through Andersen, whose initial strike following an Andreas Pereira corner was blocked but the Danish defender made no mistake with the follow-up.

The chances kept coming for Fulham, with substitute Josh King finding the side-netting and then Pereira crashing a dipping volley against the bar with Bond beaten.

There was a fourth for Marco Silva’s side, Castagne heading just inside the near post after a cross from substitute Martial Godo with five minutes remaining.

Kayembe lashed a low first-time volley against the post after a scuffed clearance, in the Hornets’ first real chance of the second-half.

There was just about time for a Watford debut, with Academy forward Amin Nabizada introduced in the closing stages for Doumbia, as the top-flight hosts saw out a convincing win in freezing cold conditions in West London.

Watford: Bond (GK) (C); Porteous, Ogbonna, Tikvić; Andrews, Dwomoh (Louza 31), Kayembe, Larouci; Ince (Chakvetadze 67), Vata (Baah 67); Doumbia (Nabizada 88).

Unused subs: Roberts (GK), Morris, Sierralta, Sissoko, Bayo.