Fulham 3-1 Middlesbrough: Boro out of Emirates FA Cup despite valiant display at Craven Cottage

Middlesbrough fell victim to Fulham’s brilliant second-half comeback, as they lost 3-1 at Craven Cottage in the Third Round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Hayden Hackney had put the visitors ahead, but goals from Harry Wilson, Emile Smith-Rowe and Kevin earned Fulham a place in Round Four.

Saturday’s match was Kim Hellberg’s first venture in the oldest cup competition in the world, and they took the game to their Premier League opposition in the opening minutes of the game and almost took the lead.

Tommy Conway beat his marker to the ball, but his shot was straight at keeper, Benjamin Lecomte.

Boro took the lead on the half-hour mark, when Samuel Silvera found the by-line after a great piece of skill and squared it to Hackney, who was able to slot it home from close range at the front post.

In the second half, though, Fulham showed their Premier League quality and got a deserved equaliser, thanks to a brilliant curling strike from substitute Wilson, who found the bottom corner from the edge of the box on the hour mark.

Harry in front of the Hammy End. 🪄 pic.twitter.com/1HsBlbtLuk

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) January 11, 2026

Despite the set back, Boro almost replied straight away, as Alex Gilbert picked Conway out in space inside the Fulham box, and he turned brilliantly to open the space for the shot, which skimmed the bar.

However, the momentum of the game was in Fulham’s hands and after a couple attempts that almost saw the Cottagers go in front, they finally did so when Tom Cairney’s disguised ball found Smith-Rowe in space; he turned well and slotted past Sol Brynn with only 15 minutes to go.

Boro almost levelled the game when Morgan Whittaker was played through and his shot beat the keeper, but rolled just wide.

Yet, the game was sealed in added time, when Wilson’s outside-the-foot cross found Kevin in space at the back post and he was able to tap it into the open goal.

Hellberg’s men return to Sky Bet Championship action, as they play West Brom at the Hawthorns on Friday 16 January at 8pm