Stoke City suffered a heartbreaking FA Cup exit after losing 2–1 to Fulham in a dramatic fourth-round clash at the Bet365 Stadium.
The Championship side started brightly and even took the lead through Junho, giving their fans hope of a major upset against the Premier League visitors. Stoke showed strong defensive organisation for most of the game and looked set to push the tie into the final stages with their advantage intact.
However, Fulham responded with greater attacking pressure in the second half. The visitors equalised before midfielder Harrison Reed struck in the 84th minute to seal a late comeback victory. The goal proved decisive as Stoke were unable to find another response in the closing minutes. Fulham’s win confirmed their place in the FA Cup fifth round and ended the Potters’ cup run.
The defeat was another setback for Stoke, who have been fighting for consistency this season. The team currently sits in mid-table in the Championship and remains outside the play-off positions. Manager Mark Robins has also faced injury problems within the squad, which have affected the club’s form in recent weeks.
Despite the disappointment, Stoke will now focus on their league campaign as they aim to close the gap on the play-off spots and keep their hopes of promotion alive.
