Fulham player ratings: 'Bulldogish' and 'head-turning' 9/10s as Watford knocked out of FA Cup

It was plain sailing for Fulham as Watford made the short trip to Craven Cottage on Thursday night with Marco Silva’s men claiming a 4-1 victory over their Championship opponents in the FA Cup third round.

There will be few matches on the banks of the Thames this season that see the Cottagers enjoy as dominant an opening 20 minutes as against the Hornets. Alex Iwobi and Emile Smith-Rowe saw large shares of the ball around the edge of the Watford box.

Patience proved a virtue for the hosts, whose first golden opportunity fell to the right man in Rodrigo Muniz. The Brazilian fired home instinctively past Jonathan Bond after an Adama Traore cross dropped into his feet.

It looked to be a mountain to climb for a Watford side that was yet to cause their Premier League opposition a serious problem but a moment of inspiration from the tricky Rocco Vata turned the cup tie into a competition. The Ireland under-21 international easily spun past Andreas Pereira in midfield and rocketed home from distance - he’ll score few better than that in his career.

Muniz hobbled off at the break and had to be replaced by Raul Jimenez at half time, the Mexican taking just minutes to score after entering the field of play when Fulham were awarded a penalty after Adama was chopped down on the edge of the box. It was cruise control after that for the top flight side with Joachim Andersen stabbing home a corner and Timothy Castagne nodding in with minutes left to play to ensure no extra time drama. Here’s how the Fulham players rated.

Fulham player ratings

GK - Steven Benda, 7

Happy to come well out of his box to send the ball back into Fulham possession. That Vata strike was quite something and left the keeper little chance.

RB - Timothy Castagne, 8

A mature performance at full-back. Fulham showed more threat on the other flank but he chose his moment to attack well and nodded home a Goddo cross at the death.

CB - Joachim Andersen, 7

Fairly confident but the communication between the two centre-backs looked confused when Vata was afforded space to fire home from distance. Got two bites at a finish following a corner in the second half thanks to a lazy Watford defence and stabbed the second of those home for the Fulham third.

CB - Jorge Cuenca, 7

Certainly involved this evening. Looked a talent at moments but less so at others, over ambitious with some long balls and being shown a first half yellow for a needless lunge in from behind on Mamadou Doumbia.

LB - Ryan Sessegnon, 9

Wow, this lad can run with the ball. The Hornets couldn’t get close to him at times as he spent more time in the opposition box than his own.

CDM - Sasa Lukic, 9

Bulldogish in the centre of the park. Little got past him as he made light work of keeping the Watford team quiet.

CDM - Andreas Pereira, 7

Always a little more restrained in a slightly deeper role. Looked suspect when turned by Vata ahead of his goal but was purring again after Smith-Rowe went off and he was afforded more freedom going forwards, smashing the bar with a strike from the edge of the box.

CAM - Emile Smith-Rowe, 7

Ball stuck to him like glue this evening. Was a menace nipping in and out of the Watford defence but not the one to carve a breakthrough himself.

LW - Alex Iwobi, 8

Works so hard for the team and showcases some really great moments on the ball but somehow lacks the goals and assists he deserves. That’s the tale of his career and was the case against Watford. A level above the opposition and rotated fluidly with Sessengon. Such a likeable player and a hugely likeable performance.

Rodrigo Muniz nets ‘brilliant’ opener against Watford

RW - Adama Traore, 8

A constant threat tonight. As always, his final product can be delayed and sub par, but that’s harsh when he got the assist for Muniz and won the penalty for Jimenez. Somewhat ironically, he was taken out on the edge of the box after dilly dallying too long on the ball for the spot kick.

ST - Rodrigo Muniz, 8

Took his goal with aplomb, that was a brilliant finish. Was invigorated for a spell after that until Watford equalised, then lost influence again. Appeared to be holding his back at half time and was replaced by Raul Jimenez after the break.

SUB - Raul Jimenez, 8

That was a ridiculous run up for the penalty but it doesn’t matter if you score, and he did. Potentially brought a little more to his all-round play than Muniz.

SUB - Josh King, 7

Involved straight away with a run through the Watford box that sent defenders sprawling. A messy clearance with minutes left led to a good Hornets shot from distance, which was a less glamorous moment.

SUB - Issa Diop, 7

Decisive in his actions when called upon.

SUB - Martial Godo, 9

That was a bit of a head-turning cameo from the 21-year-old. Clearly keen to get stuck in and was in the face of nearly every Watford player. Pulled back brilliantly to tee up Castagne for the fourth.

SUB - Harrison Reed, 7

Came on as fresh legs to just keep Fulham ticking over in the final 10 minutes.