Marco Silva fumes over red card decision as Fulham dumped out of FA Cup

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·29 March 2025

Marco Silva fumes over red card decision as Fulham dumped out of FA Cup

Marco Silva felt Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton should have received a red card during Fulham’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

Despite a promising start, the hosts found themselves two goals down in the first half thanks to a brilliant strike from Eberechi Eze and an accurate header from Ismaila Sarr. Eddie Nketiah came off the bench to complete a 3-0 victory.

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Speaking to ITV1 after the final whistle, Silva lamented his side’s lack of effectiveness in both boxes.

“One game until 25 minutes of the match, we completely dominated and we had three or four dangerous moments around their goal. We should have scored in those moments. You need to be ruthless and clinical,” the Portuguese said.

“They are solid and compact. They set nine players around their box every single time and when we are able to create, we have to score. We didn’t and we were not strong in both ends this afternoon.”

Marco Silva fumes over red card decision as Fulham exit FA Cup

Palace, however, were fortunate not to be reduced to ten men before opening the scoring. Adam Wharton was already on a booking when he deliberately tripped Rodrigo Muniz in the centre of the pitch. VAR reviewed the incident, but could not intervene as it was only a yellow card foul.

“For me it is clear, it’s a second yellow card but we are used to these kind of situations,” Silva said. “I prefer to say we are unlucky, but it has been a long story with us.

“Of course VAR cannot overturn this decision but you have many eyes inside the pitch, the linesman has all the angles to see it, the fourth official. It is a clear second yellow card, definitely.

“It would have a massive impact on the game but against us it is always more difficult to see. We have been unlucky in these type of situations and let’s hope it will be balanced at the end of the season.”

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