Fulham boss Marco Silva admits he did not enjoy his side's FA Cup clash against Sunderland - insisting they afforded the visitors far too many chances. The Black Cats drew 1-1 against Silva's Premier League outfit at Craven Cottage in the fourth round of the competition, meaning the sides must now meet again in a replay at the Stadium of Light in around ten days' time.
Jack Clarke put Sunderland in front after only six minutes before Tom Cairney levelled for the hosts on the hour but, aside from the goals, both team created a myriad of chances and the game could have gone either way although Fulham had the lion's share of possession. It was too open for Silva's liking, however, and he said: "It was an intense game, a typical FA Cup match.
"We were more dominant, to be honest that was our obligation, but I believe the game was too broken, for me as a manager, to enjoy. We conceded a cheap goal, gave a goal to them.
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"We created a scenario where we were being more dominant, pushing them back, and showing the quality to break their organisation and create some chances. Overall in the game, I think we have created enough chances to score more goals.
"But in the other side, I think we gave many, many moments for them as well. In some moments we gave the ball away so easily, and in some duels, some challenges, we have to be much more aggressive to not let them create the spaces.
"We lost some important challenges, and that was the part of the game that I really didn't like. I think the space between our backline and our midfielders was too big in some moments.
"That space there between the lines, we gave many times for the shots for the striker to connect, when [Amad] Diallo received behind our two midfielders, and in that situation they created some moments, more than just moments on the counter-attack."
The Black Cats were rocked midway through the first half when Ross Stewart was stretchered off with what looks like a serious Achilles injury which could keep him out for a long time, but even after he had left the field Sunderland continued to create opportunities with Amad and ex-Fulham man Patrick Roberts at the heart of their best attacking moves. Silva said: "They have that quality in those areas, but it's something that we clearly have to improve on and do much better.
"We were not able to win and to go through this evening, so what we couldn't do this afternoon, we have to do in ten days. We had the chance in 90 minutes to do it.
"We didn't, and now we have to in ten or 15 days [in the replay]."
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