Fulham boss hails penalty composure of his players as they book FA Cup quarter-final clash against Crystal Palace

Marco Silva has praised the “composure” of his Fulham players after their FA Cup penalty shootout victory at Manchester United.

The Whites dumped out the reigning holders on Sunday afternoon after the tie ended 1-1.

Calvin Bassey headed Fulham ahead on the stroke of half-time after Rodrigo Muniz had flicked on a corner.

United levelled on 71 minutes, Bruno Fernandes produced a low finish past Bernd Leno from Diego Dalot’s cutback.

The west Londoners had the extra challenge of the spot-kicks being taken at the Stretford End of Old Trafford.

But they brilliantly held their nerve with Raul Jimenez, Sander Berge, Willian and Antonee Robinson all converted past Andre Onana.

Leno saved United’s fourth penalty – a poor attempt by Victor Lindelof. Joshua Zirkzee then had to score to stand any chance of the current holders progressing but again Leno went the right way.

Fulham will face Crystal Palace at the end of this month in the quarter-finals.

The Whites have only reached the FA Cup final once, losing 2-0 to West Ham United in 1975.

Fulham reached the semi-finals in the 2001-02 campaign. Jean Tigana’s side lost 1-0 to Chelsea at Villa Park with John Terry scoring.

Leno revealed to the club’s official website that he freestyled his penalty-saving approach.

“Bruno Fernandes is waiting – he does the jump and delay a lot,” said the German keeper. “Unfortunately I couldn’t save it.

“The rest were more instinct (rather than looking at their previous penalty kicks) – reading the run and how they kick the ball. The one from Lindelof I completely changed my mind. At first I wanted to go to my left and something in my mind said go to the right. Luckily it was the right decision.

“Sometimes penalties is a bit of casino – today we won the roulette.”

Berge capped off a man of the match performance in midfield by emphatically dispatching his spot kick.

The summer signing from Burnley told the club’s website: “I choose my corner. I have taken a few and that is my corner.

“A few of the lads have more composure and stopped in the run-ups, I don’t have that in me.”

The Norwegian international, 27, praised Leno.

“You feel a lot more comfortable with the quality he shows week in and week out,” said Berge. “He made two big saves. To have a matchwinner at the back was huge.”

Silva is looking for more silverware after leading Fulham to the Championship title in 2022.

Fulham reached the League Cup semi-finals last season but lost to Liverpool over two legs.

“From the first day we are really serious in the competition – it is a big competition for us,” said Fulham boss Silva after the success against Manchester United.

“We are more mature but you can see the identity is the same. Everyone can see Fulham is a very good club in the Premier League.

“In some moments, we showed very good quality. We sorted some things out and we did much better. We built our attacking moments really well.

“The way the team played in the second half and all of extra time makes me really proud because we came here and we were the dominant team. We were brave and we did it in our way.

“It was a big fight.

“They did it perfectly (in the penalty shootout), with great composure, all of them. They have smiles on their faces.

“The Fulham fans are really proud of their team. We are there.

“I know they (United) had chances but I think we were the best team on the pitch. Our team was on the ball, dominating the ball. We deserve to be in the next stage.”

It set up a third meeting with Palace this season.

Fulham were 2-0 winners over the Eagles in November at Selhurst Park but lost the reverse fixture by the same scoreline at the end of last month.

Both teams have strong away records in the Premier League – taking 22 points on the road this season. Only Forest (23), Arsenal (26) and Liverpool (35) have managed more.

It is the first meeting of the clubs in the FA Cup since 1907. Palace won 1-0 in a replay after the original tie ended 0-0.

PICTURES: ALAMY