Fulham skipper Cairney strikes to set up Sunderland replay in FA Cup fourth round

Tom Cairney’s second-half goal earned Fulham a 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland in the FA Cup fourth round.

Issa Diop’s early mistake was punished by Black Cats winger Jack Clarke as he raced through and calmly beat Marek Rodak to give the Championship side a sixth minute lead.

But Whites skipper Cairney restored parity just after the hour mark, showing nimble footwork in the box before finishing.

Fulham manager Marco Silva said: “We had the chance to do it in 90 minutes. We didn’t, now we have to do in 10 days (or so).

“We gave them a cheap goal and that was a moment for us show our quality. We created good chances but we gave them many moments.

“We lost some important challenges, that was part of the game we really didn’t like.

“It was a strange game, intense game. Typical cup match. We were more dominant, but the game was too broken to enjoy it as a manager.”

Sunderland manager Tony Mowbray said: “We’re slightly disappointed we’ve got a replay. We could’ve maybe done without it, with the squad being so stretched.

“I’m just proud of a young team that played without fear. In the first half we had numerous opportunities and threatened their goal.

“You can feel their quality – their positional play and the talent of their individuals – it’s like having six or seven Amad Diallos out on the pitch. It’s a Premier League-quality footballer – the ball sticks to their feet.

“We were disciplined today and fought for everything.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD