FA Cup: Symons rues missed chance as Fulham’s Wembley dream dies
FULHAM………………………………..1 SUNDERLAND……………………….3
FULHAM boss Kit Symons cited a disproportionate number of substandard performances as the defining reason for his side’s second-half capitulation and FA Cup exit to Premier League strugglers Sunderland last night.
The hosts struck first through striker Hugo Rodallega – his 10th goal of the season – and led until keeper Marcus Bettinelli gifted Sunderland an equaliser by fumbling Patrick van Aanholt’s speculative cross over the goal-line, before a Ricardo Alvarez strike and last-gasp Jordi Gomez penalty settled matters.
Sunderland now face a fifth-round tie at giant-killers Bradford, conquerors of Chelsea and the lowest ranked team remaining in the competition, while Symons was left to rue a missed opportunity.
“There were too many off nights and a few enforced changes which didn’t help,” said Symons. “I was happy with the team we put out and I expected us to play better than we did. We never really got our passing going all night and the performance wasn’t there along with the result.”