Played at Loftus Road on Saturday 14th February 2004
West Ham travelled to Fulham for a repeat of the 1975 FA Cup Final, in the fifth round of the Cup. Six of West Ham’s seven recent signings were ineligible, which meant Steve Lomas made a long-awaited return to the squad.
The Hammers almost went ahead after 18 seconds, when Matthew Etherington sent a beautiful cross to the unmarked Marlon Harewood, but he could only blast the ball at Edwin van der Sar’s legs.
This spurred the west Londoners into action, and Stephen Bywater made a good save from Steed Malbranque, and Carlos Bocanegra hit the post.
The Hammers came back and Brian Deane had a header saved by van der Sar.
The second half started with a glorious chance for the visitors: an Etherington cross was palmed out by van der Sar to Deane, who hoofed the ball over from eight yards.
Harewood then had a shot saved, and Dailly headed wide, as Alan Pardew’s men pressurised the hosts.
Fulham, however, went up the other end and spent ten minutes piling on the pressure. The excellent battling qualities of the Hammers held firm, and only one clear-cut chance was created, which Zat Knight headed wide.
West Ham then had another excellent chance after another Etherington cross was palmed out, this time to Michael Carrick, who drove the ball low towards goal only to see van der Sar block the shot.
Pardew then introduced Lomas, and West Ham may well have won it in the dying seconds. Referee Graham Poll failed to award an advantage to the visitors and pulled play back to the halfway line.
This was an excellent performance from the First Division side, who will have to be even better in the replay next Tuesday to progress into Round Six. Although it was 0-0, it was a great advert for Cup football.
By Phil Crook (p.crook@lycos.com)
