Fulham faced some challenges but ultimately overcame Championship side Middlesbrough, securing their spot in the FA Cup fourth round. The London club clinched a 3-1 victory after a second-half comeback.
Boro delivered an excellent first-half performance. The Championship's second-placed team took the lead in the 30th minute with a goal from Hayden Hackney, following superb work by Sam Silvera. Fulham's defense was rarely troubled for most of the first half. However, just before the break, Fulham came close to an equalizer, but Ayling cleared the ball off the goal line.
The Cottagers started the second half sluggishly, prompting Marco Silva to make a triple substitution 11 minutes after the restart, bringing on Harry Wilson, Raul Jimenez, and Tom Cairney. This quickly paid dividends, as Wilson leveled the score with a fine strike from the edge of the box. Two minutes later, Middlesbrough nearly scored, but Tommy Conway's shot rattled the post. Cairney then set up Emil Smith Rowe in the 77th minute, who put the hosts ahead. In the dying moments, Kevin scored his first goal for Fulham, capitalizing on a cross from Wilson.