The atmosphere at Craven Cottage during this encounter was rather subdued. The game appeared more like a routine exercise than a fiercely contested match, lacking the thrill and suspense typical of football clashes. Rotherham's primary objective seemed to be avoiding a humiliating defeat rather than launching a surprising upset against Fulham in the FA Cup.

Sitting at the bottom of the championship, Rotherham's position in the league table made their cautious approach understandable. With a mere three victories in the season, their focus was on minimising damage rather than taking undue risks. Perhaps they saw their 1-0 defeat against a mid-table Premier League team as a moral victory.

Despite the lack of intensity from both sides, Fulham emerged victorious, securing their place in the fourth round. Bobby De Cordova-Reid's impressive early goal was sufficient to propel Marco Silva's team to success. This victory provided Fulham with a valuable opportunity to conserve energy ahead of their challenging Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool.

Marco Silva expressed contentment with his team's professional display, emphasising the significance of the win. Despite making eight changes to the lineup, Fulham managed to dominate the game, creating numerous scoring opportunities. Silva's strategy of resting key players paid off, as his team comfortably navigated past Rotherham.

Silva entrusted Rodrigo Muniz with the responsibility of leading the attack in the absence of key players like Raúl Jiménez. The statistics heavily favoured Fulham, making it evident that Rotherham faced an uphill battle. Despite the absence of several regular starters, Fulham's dominance was evident throughout the match.

From the outset, Fulham asserted their authority, maintaining possession and dictating the tempo of the game. Sebastian Revan's lapse in concentration allowed Harry Wilson to capitalise, setting up De Cordova-Reid for a remarkable goal. Despite their dominance, Fulham struggled to extend their lead, with Rotherham occasionally threatening to level the score.

As the game progressed, Fulham sought to break down Rotherham's resilient defense. Andreas Pereira and Rodrigo Muniz came close to scoring but were denied by Rotherham's determined defense. Fulham's attacking prowess was evident, but their inability to convert chances into goals was a cause for concern.

Rotherham's defensive approach frustrated Fulham, limiting their attacking opportunities. Despite their best efforts, Rotherham failed to test Fulham's goalkeeper, Marek Rodak, throughout the match. Leam Richardson's side displayed commendable defensive discipline but lacked the cutting edge required to trouble Fulham.

In summary, Fulham's comprehensive victory over Rotherham showcased their superior quality and tactical acumen. Bobby De Cordova-Reid's early goal proved decisive, ensuring Fulham's progression to the next round of the FA Cup. Despite Rotherham's defensive resilience, they ultimately succumbed to Fulham's relentless pressure, highlighting the gap in quality between the two sides.

Source: The Guardian