The Tanner Report : Sunderland 2 Fulham 3. FA Cup 4th Round

The Bench is important. A player coming off it can make an immediate impact. It gives the team needed depth in case of injury or suspensions .

The success of Brighton, Brentford and Fulham is the more remarkable as these clubs cannot afford a costly bench.

In this replayed Cup Tie Marco Silva made 9 changes starting with players like Marek Rodak, Harry Wilson and Tom Cairney, who were essential to Championship-winning team but not in the Premiership.

Silva held back his big guns.

Sunderland by contrast had a 15, 16 and 17 year old on their bench.

I was surprised to see so many empty seats at the Stadium of Light.

Cup ties are an extra which many cash-strapped fans won’t pay for.

This meant the febrile atmosphere anticipated did not materialise.

Fulham dominated the first 30 minutes and Harry Wilson opened the scoring.

He missed two more chances.

Sunderland began to get into the game and Fulham’s second, by sub Andreas Pereira, was against the run of play.

Reserve full backs Kurzawa made it 3-1 but a late goal by the Black Cats made for a nervy finish.

So Fulham are still in the cup, facing Leeds at home on February 28th.