Fulham

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Marco Silva's Fulham suffered a 1-0 defeat by Leeds in the Premier League as Lukas Nmecha came off the bench to score a 91st-minute winner at Elland Road.

The Cottagers went into this fixture having matched the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea stride for stride this month during their six-game unbeaten league run.

Heading into the weekend, only leaders Arsenal (16) had collected more points than the Cottagers (14) since that run began on 13 December.

But they left much to be desired against Leeds, starting from their goalkeeper.

On day when his Leeds counterpart Lucas Perri was dropped in favour of Darlow, it was Bernd Leno who was uncharacteristically errant.

Only 20 minutes in, the 33-year-old threw the ball straight at Ilia Gruev, who failed to place his shot past centre-back Joachim Andersen with the goal gaping, before the goalkeeper flapped at a Noah Okafor cross.

The Cottagers finished the game with a single shot on target in 90 minutes and generated an xG of just 0.39.

The biggest contribution from the in-form Harry Wilson, who has 11 goal involvements this season, was perhaps a cynical foul on marauding Leeds wing-back Gabriel Gudmundsson early in the second half.

Silva then opted for a defensive approach, throwing on centre-back Issa Diop after removing attackers Wilson and Raul Jimenez to protect the point during the final 10 minutes.

But he will have questions to answer after his counterpart Daniel Farke was rewarded for his positive changes as Nmecha came off the bench to find the breakthrough late on.

Fulham manager Marco SIlva, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was not a good performance from us. Leeds won the game and we have to congratulate them. We knew that it was going to be difficult with the way they play and the way they press. We were below the standards in the second half and we definitely have to do much better. We have to be unhappy with how we conceded the goal.

On his yellow card: "Just a simple thing between me and the official, nothing more. Probably a bit emotional but we have to accept it."

Did you know?

• Fulham had just seven touches in the Leeds United box, their fewest in a Premier League game since December 2024, when they had three against Arsenal at Craven Cottage.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Leeds United's performance

What did you make of Fulham's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Leeds manager Daniel Farke has made three changes to the side that suffered their first defeat in eight games at Newcastle last week.

Goalkeeper Lucas Perri drop to bench while Jaka Bijol and Anton Stach miss out from the matchday squad but new loan signing Facundo Buonanotte is on the bench.

Leeds XI: Darlow, Bogle, Gudmundsson, Ampadu, Rodon, Struijk, Justin, Gruev, Okafor, Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin.

Subs: Perri, Longstaff, Piroe, Nmecha, Tanaka, Bornauw, Byram, Gnonto, Buonanotte.

Fulham boss Marco Silva makes two changes to the side that defeated Chelsea 2-1 last week.

Tom Cairney and Issa Diop drop out of the starting line-up as they are replaced by Sasa Lukic and Ryan Sessegnon.

Fulham XI: Leno, Andersen. Jimenez, Wilson, Cuenca, Berge, Lukic, Castagne, Sessegnon, Smith Rowe, Robinson.

Subs: Lecomte, Reed, Cairney, Traore, Kusi-Asare, Kevin, King, Diop, Amissah.

There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Man Utd v Man City (12:30)

• Chelsea v Brentford - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Leeds v Fulham

• Liverpool v Burnley

• Sunderland v Crystal Palace

• Tottenham v West Ham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Nottingham Forest v Arsenal (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Brentford" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Nottingham Forest v Arsenal", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

Leeds lost out to a bizarre stoppage-time own goal at Craven Cottage in September, but they look a different team now - they have come on so much.

Mind you, so have Fulham. The only time Harry Wilson has failed to score recently is when I put him in my fantasy team, and while I thought they would struggle when some of their players went to the Africa Cup of Nations, the opposite has happened - they have been excellent.

I'd usually back Leeds to win at home, but Fulham have proved they can nick a goal and a result on the road so I am going to sit on the fence here.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Leeds United will feel buoyed by their recent form when they host Fulham at Elland Road on Saturday (15:00 GMT).

The Whites have lost just once in their past nine games in all competitions, a run that has coincided with something of a renaissance for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has seemingly shaken the hamstring injuries that caused to him to miss 35 matches in the five seasons prior to this one.

The 11-times capped England striker has scored eight goals in his past nine league matches for Daniel Farke's side - a stark turnaround from one in his opening 10 - leading to talk of a potential international recall as Thomas Tuchel weighs up his options before the World Cup.

The uptick in his big-chance conversion rate is eye-catching.

If Calvert-Lewin scores again in the Premier League, his next goal would see him reach double figures in a top-flight campaign for only the third time, after netting 16 and 13 for Everton in 2020-21 and 2019-20 respectively.

Leeds face stiff opposition in Marco Silva's ninth-placed Fulham, who are unbeaten in their past six league games - a run surpassed only by Liverpool and Manchester City (both on nine).

Wales international Harry Wilson - who came close to joining Leeds in the summer - is shining this season. Since a hat-trick for his country against North Macedonia on 18 November, the midfielder had scored six times in 12 club games.

His late winner against Chelsea took his tally of Premier League goal involvements this season to 11 (seven goals and four assists), the 28-year-old's best return in a top-flight campaign.

Fulham are unbeaten in their past 12 matches against promoted sides (won seven, drawn five). They are also finding the net freely, having scored in each of their past 12 games in all competitions.

Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Leeds United at Elland Road (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Silva confirms Josh King could be available against Leeds, but it'll be too soon for Kenny Tete and Rodrigo Muniz to return.

• Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze will return from international duty next week, and it is expected that they will have a whole week of training before the game against Brighton.

• On Tom Cairney: "I'm always a believer that he can prolong his career in a Fulham shirt. I had this feeling last season when we had the same conversation about the players that were in the last year of their contract. This year is going to be more or less the same thing, I don't see any change in the way we are using him or the way he's performing. I know he's one year older, but the Tom Cairney now, I have to say that with another year on his back he is the same player. The way we use him, the way he helps the team on a daily basis. He's been very important for us and a great servant for the club, I don't see why he won't have another season or more in a Fulham shirt."

• On if Cairney could leave this month: "I don't see it as a chance really. I don't see it as something that will happen, he is important for us and very happy here."

• On Cairney, 34, potentially ending his career with Fulham: "Myself as a manager, and someone that has been at this football club for five years, the best scenario for Tom is if it is possible is to end his career, I don't know when, but end it in a Fulham shirt. It will be something special for him and the fans. I don't know when it is going to happen."

• On if Harry Wilson could leave this month: "Zero chance for him to leave the club in January, I want to clarify. Not because we've had an offer, but I know there has been some noise about the possibility for him to leave in this window. No chance."

Drew Heatley
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Sometimes, things just need to click.

After a slow start, it is safe to say things have certainly kicked into gear in SW6.

Our FA Cup win against Middlesbrough made it seven unbeaten in all competitions. We are climbing the Premier League and we once again have a cup to dream about.

Things are certainly clicking for Harry Wilson, who is shaping up to have his most influential season in a white shirt. That is some claim after he recorded 10 goals and 19 assists in our romp to the Championship, but Saturday gave him 11 goal involvements in as many games, including our first in the tie and he added an audacious assist for Kevin's first Fulham goal in added time.

To think that he was reportedly allowed to talk to Leeds in the summer. I am not sure where we would be without him.

Things are finally starting to go Emile Smith Rowe's way too. Bought as our record signing in 2024, he has endured a slow start at Craven Cottage and lost his place to academy graduate Josh King at the start of this campaign.

Smith Rowe was brought back into the starting XI a month ago in a tactical change and has kept his spot for this run, with King since being sidelined with an injury. Emile is showing the quality we paid for in the 10 role and was rewarded with a goal on the weekend.

The aforementioned Kevin rounded off the scoring in round three. Having taken the record signing mantle from Smith Rowe, our exciting Brazilian has done everything but put the ball in the back of the net, and you could see the relief in his celebration.

With a host of players set to return from the treatment table, alongside our Nigerian trio who are still taking Afcon by storm, all the cards seem to be falling into place at the most important time. And that is very exciting indeed.

Find more from Drew Heatley at Fulhamish, external

Image source, Getty Images

The draw for the FA Cup fourth round has been made. Here is a list of all the ties involving Premier League teams in the order they were drawn.

The matches will be played over the weekend of 14 February.

• Liverpool/Barnsley v Brighton

• Stoke City v Fulham

• Oxford United v Sunderland

• Arsenal v Wigan Athletic

• Hull City v Chelsea

• Burton Albion v West Ham

• Burnley v Mansfield Town

• Grimsby Town v Wolves

• Aston Villa v Newcastle

• Manchester City v Salford City/Swindon Town

• Macclesfield v Brentford

• Birmingham City v Leeds

See the full draw

Image source, Getty Images

Goalkeeper Steven Benda has returned to Fulham after spending the first half of the campaign at Millwall.

The 27-year-old joined the Championship side on a season-long loan deal in July and made 10 appearances.

Millwall, who are fifth in the league table, have recalled keeper George Evans from National League side Hartlepool United.

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's 3-1 win over Middlesbrough in the third round of the FA Cup.

Here are some of your comments:

James: It was an amazing second half. A great first round win against a strong Championship side. We're still on this stunning run of form that we can hopefully bring into the Premier League and the next round of the FA Cup.

Alan: Could have started with Tom Cairney because he ran the show when he came on. It is time to offer Harry Wilson what he wants too - he's grafted hard to make himself indispensable for us.

Will: Showed good spirit to come back from behind, even though the defending for that first goal was abysmal. Great to see Kevin on the score sheet.

Jan: Without our in-form first team players we were unable to gain any control and we looked like we would lose. It was dull and boring and very cold in the first half but the four subs in the second half turned the game around. They imposed far more control and attacking intent. The resulting goals were no surprise and the fans had definitely warmed up by the end. Disappointingly, even the Hammersmith End was not full.

Gordon: Nice to see some starts for the other players. It was also good to have the quality on the bench to take back control and seal the win. Now please get a new contract for Wilson and sign some players before the transfer window gets too far along.

Steve: Second-half substitutions with first team regulars made all the difference and highlighted the gap between the Premier League and Championship. We're a mid-table side that took promotion contenders to pieces.

Image source, Getty Images

The 2025-26 FA Cup fourth-round draw will take place on Monday, 12 January at approximately 18:35 GMT.

Proceedings will take place before kick-off in the third-round tie between Liverpool and Barnsley at Anfield.

Former England internationals Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole will conduct the draw that will consist of 32 teams live on TNT Sports.

Supporters can also follow the draw on the BBC Sport website and app.

All matches will be played around the weekend commencing Saturday, 14 February.

Unlike in previous years, there are no replays if matches end as a draw. All ties will go to extra time, and if necessary, a penalty shootout.

Non-league Macclesfield are the lowest-ranked team in the draw after beating holders Crystal Palace in a remarkable 2-1 victory.

What are the ball numbers?

• 1. Wolverhampton Wanderers

• 2. Southampton

• 3. Aston Villa

• 4. Port Vale

• 5. Wigan Athletic

• 6. Ipswich Town

• 7. Wrexham

• 8. Chelsea

• 9. Manchester City

• 10. West Ham United

• 11. Brentford

• 12. Fulham

• 13. Sunderland

• 14. Liverpool or Barnsley

• 15. Burnley

• 16. Norwich City

• 17. Arsenal

• 18. Leeds United

• 19. West Bromwich Albion

• 20. Salford City or Swindon Town

• 21. Burton Albion

• 22. Grimsby Town

• 23. Hull City

• 24. Newcastle United

• 25. Oxford United

• 26. Leicester City

• 27. Birmingham City

• 28. Bristol City

• 29. Stoke City

• 30. Macclesfield

• 31. Brighton & Hove Albion

• 32. Mansfield Town

Pundits Dion Dublin and Rob Green join host Jason Mohammad to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's FA Cup ties.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Wrexham 3-3 (4-3 pens) Nottingham Forest

• Preston North End 0-1 Wigan

• Macclesfield Town 2-1 Crystal Palace

• Everton 1-1 (0-3 pens) Sunderland

• Wolves 6-1 Shrewsbury Town

• Fulham 3-1 Middlesbrough

• Manchester City 10-1 Exeter City

• Newcastle 3-3 (7-6 pens) Bournemouth

• Stoke City 1-0 Coventry City

• Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa

• Bristol City 5-1 Watford

• Cambridge United 2-3 Birmingham City

• Charlton 1-5 Chelsea

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Reuters

This time last year Morgan Whittaker orchestrated an FA Cup upset with a fantastic late winner in the third round for Plymouth Argyle against Brentford.

Now in Middlesbrough colours, he came into the fixture having scored 10 goals in his past 17 games for the side pushing for promotion to the Premier League.

There was no upset here but Whittaker and Boro made it a nervy watch for Fulham manager Marco Silva from the stands at Craven Cottage, despite his side winning 3-1.

The Portuguese, serving a touchline ban for a third yellow card in the 2-1 win against Chelsea, made seven changes - which contributed to his side failing to click in attack in the first half.

Fulham goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte was called into action inside four minutes to deny Conway, while the hosts struggled to carve out many openings at the other end.

But it all changed in the second half when in-form Harry Wilson came off the bench.

The Wales winger has seven goals in the Premier League this season and did not waste any time adding a cup goal to his tally - with his left foot proving dangerous again.

Wilson was involved in all three Fulham goals, finding Tom Cairney for Emile Smith Rowe's second and providing the assist for Brazil winger Kevin to seal the result - after Whittaker had gone agonisingly close to levelling the tie for the visitors.

Silva has now managed in eight FA Cup third-round ties and gone through every time - with Wilson to thank for his latest victory.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of Fulham's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Fulham boss Marco Silva makes seven changes to the side that started the 2-1 win against Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Raul Jimenez and Harry Wilson, who scored against their neighbours, are on the bench but there is a start for Harrison Reed, who hit a last-gasp stunner against Liverpool last Sunday.

Fulham XI: Lecomte, Castagne, Diop, Cuenca, Sessegnon, Reed, Lukic, Smith Rowe, Traore, Kusi-Asare, Kevin.

Subs: Leno, Andersen, Amsisah, Robinson, Berge, Cairney, Ridgeon, Wilson, Jimenez.

Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg makes two changes to the side that thrashed Southampton 4-0 in their previous game.

Delano Burgzorg and Alex Bangura drop out as Alex Gilbert and Alan Browne come in for Boro, sitting second in the Championship.

Middlesbrough XI: Brynn, Targett, Hackney, Conway, Whittaker, Ayling, Gilbert, Browne, Morris, Silvera, Malanda.

Subs: McLaughlin, Fry, Burgzorg, Hamilton, Nypan, Hansen, McCormick, Kante, Ibeh.

There are 18 third-round ties in the FA Cup on Saturday - 16 involving Premier League and Championship teams, who all enter the competition at this stage - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Cheltenham v Leicester (12:15) - BBC Radio Leicester

• Everton v Sunderland (12:15) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Macclesfield v Crystal Palace (12:15) - BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live & BBC Radio Manchester

• Wolves v Shrewsbury (12:15) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3 & BBC Radio WM

• Boreham Wood v Burton Albion

• Burnley v Millwall - BBC Radio London

• Doncaster v Southampton - BBC Radio Solent

• Fulham v Middlesbrough - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Ipswich v Blackpool - BBC Radio Suffolk

• Man City v Exeter City - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Newcastle v Bournemouth - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 & BBC Radio Newcastle

• Salford P-P Swindon

• Sheff Wed v Brentford

• Stoke v Coventry - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3, BBC Radio Stoke & BBC Radio CWR

• Bristol City v Watford (17:45) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Three Counties Radio

• Cambridge United v Birmingham (17:45) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Grimsby v Weston (17:45)

• Tottenham v Aston Villa (17:45) - BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio London

• Charlton v Chelsea (20:00) - BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio London

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

And find out how to follow the FA Cup across the BBC this weekend here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Fulham v Middlesbrough" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Aston Villa", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

It will be interesting to see what Fulham boss Marco Silva does here, with his team on such a good run of Premier League results. I hope he goes strong, to try to keep their momentum going.

Silva has good record in the FA Cup anyhow, reaching the quarter-final twice in the past three years. He has also never lost a third-round tie with any of the four English clubs he has managed, and I don't see that changing this weekend.

Middlesbrough got back on track with a big win over Southampton on Sunday but they hit a sticky patch over Christmas when their goals dried up and it is pretty obvious that their promotion bid will be the priority for their manager Kim Hellberg.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

Fulham boss Marco Silva has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Middlesbrough at Craven Cottage (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news: "Rodrigo [Muniz], Kenny Tete, and Josh King, they are going to be out, plus the African Cup situation that you know. All the others are going to be in contention."

• On winning despite missing key players: "It doesn't surprise me at all. Of course, we like every side in the world, not just in the Premier League; we are going to be stronger if you have all the players available. But the players have responded really well. Players that more or less they know that they are not relaxing, they are working hard for the team, that is a good sign too. And I expect to always be prepared and the ambition always to be ready for the games and to fight for the three points."

• Silva believes that "the best way to show" that they could win the FA Cup is by focusing on tomorrow's game and take it "step by step".

• On the significance of the FA Cup: "The competition is so special. It's the oldest competition in the world, a very important one. It doesn't matter what type of club you are, if you are a Premier club, Championship club or whatever, you have a chance to dream for something or to fight for something, more fight than to dream, to be honest."

• Silva praised Harry Wilson's contributions to the team this season and described him as a player "in a great moment". Silva said Fulham "have to take the best from him, keep the best from him, enjoy the football that he's able to play right now and to help the team, not just with goals but in everything that he does on the pitch".

• On Middlesbrough: "Very competitive, first of all, and they are not in that position fighting for the first two spots in the Championship by coincidence. They are there because they have been very regular, if I can say so, very consistent in terms of performance. Even with the change in the manager position, they kept the same type of results and were consistent in that league, which is so tough. A good mix of experienced players."

Follow all of Friday's FA Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to the live commentary of Fulham v Middlesbrough on BBC Radio 5 Live from 15:00 GMT on Saturday

How to follow the FA Cup on BBC