Fulham rescued by Rodallega’s equaliser

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Sheffield United 1 Fulham 1

Hugo Rodallega’s 75th-minute equaliser rescued Fulham from an embarassing FA Cup exit.

League One outfit Sheffield United were down to 10 men but ahead through Chris Porter’s first-half goal when Rodallega struck to earn his side a replay.

It was tough on the Blades, who battled gamely after Michael Doyle was red-carded for lashing out at Muamer Tankovic seven minutes into the second half.

Both teams were hampered by the wet conditions and Fulham, who included Tankovic and debutant Josh Passley, lost John Arne Riise after 10 minutes to what looked like a hamstring injury.

And worse followed for Rene Meulensteen’s men when Porter got in front of Phillipe Senderos to divert Harry Maguire’s low shot past keeper David Stockdale and into the net just after the half-hour mark.

Fulham had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down after Rodallega was brought down by keeper George Long, and Stockdale produced a good save to deny Jose Baxter before Doyle’s dismissal.

Fulham again felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Pajtim Kasami went down under a challenge from Matt Hill, before United were also denied what seemed a clear spot-kick after Aaron Hughes tripped Ryan Flynn.

After Rodallega fired home from near the edge of the box, his team finished the game strongly, with Senderos heading against the bar and Adel Taarabt firing just wide.

And Fulham substitute Darren Bent did not know he was offside when he contrived to miss the target from three yards out.

Fulham: Stockdale; Passley, Hughes, Senderos, Riise (Plumain 10 (Taarabt 57)); Duff, David (Bent 57), Karagounis, Kasami; Tankovic; Rodallega.
Subs not used: Stekelenburg, Pritchard, Christensen, Kacaniklic.

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