Wigan Athletic 1-2 Fulham: Rodrigo Muniz double against the Latics fires Cottagers into the FA Cup fifth-round

Match report as Fulham beat Wigan Athletic to progress into the fifth-round of the FA Cup; Rodrigo Muniz opened the scoring and eventually restored the lead after Jonny Smith equalised for the Latics; fifth-round draw set to take place on Monday at 7.10pm

Saturday 8 February 2025 17:56, UK

Rodrigo Muniz's double saw Fulham survive a scare at Wigan as Marco Silva's side progressed to the FA Cup fifth round.

Fifty years since their one and only trip to the final, the Whites kept this season's dreams alive by extending their lengthy unbeaten run against the Latics to a 20th match.

Muniz's header was cancelled out by a stunning Jonny Smith strike early in the second half, but Fulham were not to be denied as the Brazilian drove home to secure a hard-fought 2-1 triumph for the Premier League side.

Ryan Sessegnon sent in a cross from the left to the far post, where Muniz scored a diving header back across goal under pressure from Luke Robinson in front of the 2,102 travelling fans to kick-start proceedings.

Fulham went close to a quickfire second as Martial Godo, who spent last season on loan at Wigan, raced behind and drove narrowly wide.

The Latics offered precious little going forward and Fulham looked ready to race away, only for a moment of magic to breathe new life into the tie.

Smith collected an overhit cross, cut in from the right and bent an outstanding 25-yard left-footed effort beyond Benda to the delight of the home fans in the 50th minute.

It was a leveller to cherish - but one Wigan would only hold on to for five minutes.

Pereira showed fantastic awareness and skill to clip a first-time ball over for Muniz to blast past the onrushing Tickle. Wigan could have rolled over but they kept fighting.

Jason Kerr headed a corner wide and substitute Ronan Darcy bent wide, before stretching Issa Diop just turned a cross over his own bar.

Scott Smith and Owen Dale forced saves from Fulham goalkeeper Benda, who was relieved to see Darcy fail to connect cleanly with a shot having gone walkabout between those attempts.

Wigan thought they had levelled in stoppage time, only for the linesman's flag to dash those hopes and rule out Darcy's goal.

Silva relishing Muniz competition with Jimenez

Fulham boss Marco Silva:

"Great competition between him [Muniz] and Raul [Jimenez]. It is always good to have two strikers scoring important goals for us.

"When you have a chance to start, you have to step in. And he did it. I made 10 changes and it is not easy.

"I am really pleased for the second goal, we have been working with him and it is something he needs to improve, this type of run and moves. You cannot always play with back to goal.

"The first [goal] is Muniz. He is capable inside the box. Great response and great competition for me to decide the best solution."

Maloney: We went toe-to-toe with Fulham

Wigan boss Shaun Maloney:

"We were passive in the first half. Second was the opposite. We couldn't get enough pressure on them in certain areas.

"The players then had more belief to go toe-to-toe. Second half was brilliant. I understand the gulf between the teams but it didn't feel that way in the second half.

"It was just belief. When you're there to press, press properly. I'd much rather lose by playing the way we did in the second half. It felt like we went toe-to-toe with a Premier League team.

"Today felt like the club I knew many years ago. The biggest take away from today is the feeling. I want to feel like that every home game. It felt like the club was moving forward."