Fulham reach fifth round with help of Muniz double
Rodrigo Muniz scored twice as Fulham held on to beat League One Wigan and reach the fifth round of the FA Cup.
The Premier League visitors quickly assumed control of possession at the Brick Community Stadium and deservedly opened the scoring when Muniz nodded home Ryan Sessegnon's cross midway through the first half.
Fulham's former Wigan loanee Martial Godo struck the side-netting and Issa Diop had a powerful header saved before half-time, but Marco Silva's side were pegged back out of nowhere early in the second period when Jonny Smith sent a magnificent curling strike into the far corner.
The Latics were on level terms for just five minutes, however, as Muniz collected a long Andreas Pereira pass in his stride before beating the onrushing Sam Tickle to take the wind out of Wigan's sails.
The home side regrouped, though, and Ronan Darcy went close to restoring parity once more when he sent a curling effort narrowly past the post after dispossessing Harrison Reed on the edge of the Fulham box.
Diop sent an attempted clearance narrowly over his own crossbar and Scott Smith had a low shot saved by goalkeeper Steven Benda, before Darcy had a late goal ruled out for offside as Fulham confirmed their place in the fifth round.
The Cottagers will discover their opponents when the draw takes place live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at around 19:10 GMT on Monday.
Much-changed Fulham survive late onslaught
Full-back Timothy Castagne was the only player to keep his place in the Fulham side as manager Silva made 10 alterations to the team that started last weekend's impressive win at Newcastle.
But the much-changed visitors soon hit their stride and thoroughly deserved their narrow half-time advantage against their League One opponents.
The only frustration from Silva's point of view will be that they failed to turn their dominance into further goals, with Godo and Diop both missing good opportunities to extend the Cottagers' lead.
A second Fulham goal seemed only a matter of time after Godo raced clear of the Wigan defence and tested Tickle within seconds of the restart, but Smith's third FA Cup goal of the campaign - from the Latics' first shot on target - changed the complexion of the tie.
Muniz quickly restored Fulham's narrow lead, but Wigan will be frustrated not to have sent the game into extra time after finishing the contest in the ascendancy.
The 2012-13 winners thought they had forced an additional 30 minutes when Benda spilled Owen Dale's low shot and Darcy slotted home the rebound, but the hosts' celebrations were cut short by the linesman's flag.
Wigan defender Steven Sessegnon - twin brother of Fulham's Ryan - returned to the Latics' matchday squad on Saturday after recovering from a knee injury, raising hopes of a memorable appearance against his sibling.
But Latics assistant Max Rogers, who was filling in for suspended manager Shaun Maloney, opted against bringing on the 24-year-old as the hosts chased a late equaliser.
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