Fulham

Fulham manager Marco Silva speaking after the game: "Going through in the competition was our aim. Our desire was clear and we deserved it.

"It's not the best performance when you have so many changes in the XI. They have the quality to start a Premier League game but, when you change seven or eight [players] from one game to another, it will always have an impact.

"I knew that was probably going to be the situation, but I would like to see a better performance. But it was our obligation to control the game like we did and to not give many things to them. They didn't have one shot on target.

"We did control the game, scored one good goal from Bobby [De Cordova-Reid] and had three or four more clear chances to score - one off the post and a great save from the goalkeeper - so of course we deserve to go through."

On wider squad players getting a chance to play: "It's important. Some of them deserve more chances because of the way they work. The last few games they haven't played, but they are more than ready to play in the Premier League if we need them."

On the opportunity to have an FA Cup run: "It's really important. Last season we did it and got to the quarter-finals. People who saw that game [the quarter-final] know we deserved more from that game.

"For different reasons we didn't get to the semi-finals but, to get to that stage and perform the way we did, you have to be proud. You have to work hard to go further than that."

Sam Drury, BBC Sport

Those at Craven Cottage for this FA Cup third-round tie were not treated to a classic but for Fulham, the result was all that mattered.

Marco Silva made eight changes from the Premier League win over Arsenal on New Year's Eve to keep his players fresh for the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool on Wednesday.

But while that undoubtedly led to a rather disjointed performance, Fulham were still more worthy winners against a Rotherham side that rarely threatened.

The quality of the strike for Bobby De Cordova-Reid's winning goal was a moment of quality in a largely scrappy affair but Fulham won't be overly concerned.

They are in the hat for the next round and as they prepare for a crucial pair of matches in one exciting cup run, they will hope that another one is just beginning.

Bobby De Cordova-Reid's thumping strike was enough to give Premier League Fulham a narrow FA Cup third-round win over Championship strugglers Rotherham at Craven Cottage.

The home side dominated possession but lacked a cutting edge and it took an error from Rotherham defender Sebastian Revan to give them the lead.

Harry Wilson pressed the centre-back inside the Millers' box and half-blocked his pass with the ball falling to De Cordova-Reid, who lashed it high into the net from 20 yards.

Fulham came close to a second when Andreas Pereira's mishit volley came back off the post late in the first half before Tosin Adarabioyo's firm header was tipped over the bar by Rotherham goalkeeper Viktor Johansson early in the second.

Rotherham seldom threatened the home goal, although Jordan Hugill had the ball in the net a couple of minutes after Fulham's opener as he finished, but his back-post finish from Tom Eaves' wayward shot was ruled out for offside.

Leam Richardson's side forced some pressure late on with captain Sean Morrison's long throws keeping the Fulham defence on their toes but the hosts held on to progress to the fourth round.

Were you at Craven Cottage or following the match from elsewhere?

How did you rate the performance of your team, Fulham fans?

Follow all the reaction here

There is less than an hour to go before Fulham host Rotherham United in the third round of the FA Cup.

Follow all the action live here

Image source, Getty Images

The draw for the FA Cup fourth round will take place on Monday, 8 January before the third-round tie between Wigan Athletic and Manchester United, which is being televised by ITV.

The 16 fourth-round games will be scheduled across the weekend of Saturday, 27 January.

BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton has made his predictions for all 32 FA Cup ties and given his verdict on who will make it into round four.

For this weekend's matches he is up against singer-songwriter and Liverpool fan Banners.

Sutton's prediction: 3-0

Fulham have got some unfinished business in the FA Cup after their meltdown against Manchester United in last season's quarter-finals and I can see Marco Silva giving it a good go again this year.

They were excellent against Arsenal, and there is a really nice balance to their team. I don't see them having many problems against Rotherham, who are managed by my old Blackburn team-mate Leam Richardson.

Banners' prediction: 2-1

Have Fulham got an opportunity in the cups this season? If you can change the draw to not be against Liverpool that would certainly help.

That Carabao Cup semi-final is the one where you're looking at the draw and they were probably thinking 'really, does it have to be that?' That was the tough draw.

It's brilliant they have got the second leg at home though, it gives you a bit of a psychological edge if they can be tight and have something to fight for. They've got to be within the tie, they have to make sure they are tight, don't concede too much territory or too much space and don't concede too many in the first leg.

At home to Rotherham in the FA Cup, however, is a good cup draw but it is always tricky in the FA Cup. They had a great result against Arsenal recently, but they are up and down so how long can it last?

Marco Silva's side have got a big derby coming up against Chelsea too and that's sandwiched in between a League Cup semi-final so they've got a lot of work to do because that will be tough. It is important they do get a result against Rotherham. The loading of their fixtures has been quite good, but whether the squad can cope with the next 10 days after that, it will be tough.

As they head into the January transfer window, Joao Palhinha is going to be key if he can stay. They've got to line up a really key midfielder up if they are going to do that deal and go big on it, that is the point at this stage of the season. He's been unbelievable since he didn't get his wish to go, he's just got his head down and been an example - it's important to try to keep him.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

The Telegraph's Luke Edwards discusses why Fulham have been "offered" the chance to sign former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli on the Transfer Gossip Daily podcast: "I think we're going to see a lot of this. We have already seen it with Ruben Neves a few months ago, when he was rumoured to be very unsettled in Saudi Arabia. We've seen it with Jota, the former Celtic player, who is apparently desperate to get out.

"Firmino may well have decided it's not for him. The rumours in football are that a lot of the players who have gone out there are thinking: 'I might have made a bit of a blunder - there's only so much money I can earn, and all the money in the world isn't making this very satisfying.'

"However, I think it's slightly complicated by the fact that each player there has to do a certain amount of time, which might even be two seasons, before they get all of their money. That's certainly the case for it to be tax free, so I think that's a complicating factor.

"But if Firmino wants to come back to the Premier League, I think Fulham will be a really good move for him. I think there are probably nine clubs who would be interested in Firmino, if he seriously does want to come back."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Fulham are among the Premier League clubs who have been offered the chance to sign former Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino. The 32-year-old wants to leave Saudi Arabia side Al-Ahli. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Marco Silva has been previewing Fulham's FA Cup third-round match against Rotherham on Friday.

Here are the main lines from his news conference:

• On transfer window business, Silva said: "If you ask me right now, I expect a quiet month. We'll see what we can do from a financial point of view."

• Silva spoke about club captain Tom Cairney, who signed a new deal at Craven Cottage this week: "He's a top professional. He always plays with a smile on his face. He's our captain and I'm really delighted to see him perform the way he has."

• On the FA Cup, Silva said: "We take this competition really seriously, we showed that last season. We're proud to play in this competition. We have to respect the competition and ourselves.”

• On his side's Championship opponents Rotherham, Silva said: “They have a dream and it’s an opportunity for them to come and play a Premier League side and we have to show on the pitch that we are better than them."

• Silva spoke about his side's busy fixture list in January, with a Carabao Cup semi-final against Liverpool also in their schedule: "It's always a difficult thing but it's a great thing for us. We want to be successful and to be serious in all the competitions so we will have busy periods like this last month and we will have a busy January."

• He added: "When you look at the Premier League schedule we have just two games in January so you think it will be a quiet one but when you look at the semi-finals and tomorrow's match too, it will be busy."

Fulham are interested in West Ham United's 28-year-old Algeria winger Said Benrahma, who is also a target for Wolves and Lyon. (Footmercato - in French), external

Bayern Munich are set to renew their interest in signing Whites midfielder Joao Palhinha. (Independent), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

• Fulham have won their past four meetings with Rotherham, but this will be the first time they have faced each other in the FA Cup.

• Rotherham are without a win in their past 17 FA Cup away games against top-flight opponents (D5 L12), since a 3-1 win at Newcastle United in January 1953.

• Fulham have progressed to the fourth round from 12 of their past 15 FA Cup third-round ties.

• Rotherham are looking to reach the FA Cup fourth round for the first time since the 2001-02 campaign. They have gone out at this stage 12 times since then, including in the past five seasons.

• Whites boss Marco Silva has won all five of his FA Cup third round matches as a manager - twice with Fulham and once with Hull City, Watford and Everton.

Fulham's move for Fluminense and Brazil midfielder Andre, 22, is on hold because they are unwilling to meet the £25m asking price now they believe PJoao Palhinha is staying at the club. (Football Transfers, external)

Fulham and Crystal Palace hold an interest in Manchester City's England midfielder Kalvin Phillips, 28. (I Sport, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Former Premier League strikers Jermain Defoe and Troy Deeney are back for a new series of their Football Firsts podcast on BBC Sounds.

In the latest episode, they reflect on the first rollockings they ever received from a manager.

Deeney, now a boss at League Two side Forest Green Rovers, was asked which manager that he played under scared him the most.

"Sean Dyche would have to be up there, but do you know who was, but it was more for his ruthlessness? Marco Silva," said Deeney.

"Small in stature, a nice guy but he'll cut you off. It's his way or no way.

"When he came in at Watford, and bear in mind I was doing alright, he wanted more pace up front which is fine. He signed Andre Gray, and he said to me: 'You're a legend, I don't want to be disrespectful, but you're slow.' And I was like: 'OK, I can't do anything about that.'

"He said: 'You're a nice guy but you're just too slow' and just walked off. It was just 'this is why he's in, deal with it'. He was just straight.

"I've got a great relationship with him now and I've been into Fulham to see him but we've never really spoken about it actually."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Sammy James, Fulhamish, external

Sunday's win over Arsenal was an incredible way to end 2023.

All in all, it was a pretty remarkable year to be a Fulham fan. The Whites secured a top-10 finish, beat Chelsea in the SW6 derby for the first time in 16 years and reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup for the first time.

The win over Arsenal was another major achievement for this team. Despite a very impressive season and a half back in the top flight, victory over a side in the top four has eluded us. We've come close many times, but never quite got over the line, so to finally get that off our back is a huge milestone.

It also eases some of the pressure that was beginning to form after three successive league defeats. After the excellent 5-0 wins over Nottingham Forest and West Ham, we were all looking up rather than down - but our blip, coupled with a resurgence by the bottom three, meant the gap had narrowed once again.

While we aren't safe yet, a nine-point cushion lifts the mood and allows Marco Silva and his players to fully focus on the cups.

The upcoming semi-final games against Liverpool are two of the biggest matches in our history, and the Arsenal win just allows us to give those the attention they deserve.

Plus, if we can beat the Gunners, what's to stop us grabbing another scalp this month?

Image source, Getty Images

Tom Cairney has extended his stay at Craven Cottage until June 2025, after signing a contract extension which will see the captain complete a decade of service for the club.

The 32-year-old midfielder joined Fulham from Blackburn Rovers in June 2015 and has served as club captain since the beginning of the 2016-17 season.

After signing his new contract, Cairney said: "It means everything to me to extend my contract. Ten years is a hell of a long time in football, a very rare thing.

"I said from quite early on that Fulham feels like home. A lot of players say that and then move on, but I feel like it’s obvious that I meant it as I’ll still be here ten years later.

"I just want to thank everyone for the support over the years. The Fulham fans have been incredible with me and I’ll just look to keep repaying them."

Fulham owner Tony Khan added: "I don’t think the importance of Tom Cairney joining Fulham in 2015 can be underestimated in terms of our recent history.

"He has been a great signing for the club, whose contribution over the years has led to so many memorable successes on the pitch.

"Tom Cairney's new contract will also take him into a special group of players that have reached a decade with Fulham, and I'm delighted for him and his family.

"He’s a fantastic person who I have much admiration for, and it is timely that this announcement comes just two days after our victory over Arsenal in which Tom was named Player of the Match."

Fulham have triggered a one-year contract extension for club captain and Scotland midfielder Tom Cairney, 32, after his impressive recent form. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

We asked you what transfer business you want to see Fulham do in January.

Here are some of your answers:

Max: The key to the January transfer window is keeping Joao Palhinha (also keeping Tosin Adarabioyo, who has been on form recently). There will be big offers but I hope we can prevent his departure until next summer. In terms of signings, I think Andre from Fluminense would make a great partnership with Palhinha in the middle and perhaps take his role once he leaves.

Keir: Raul Jimenez may have started scoring, but we still need another striker. However, the million dollar question is: are we going to lose Palhinha? If we do, we need a top-class midfielder.

Joe: A couple of new signings to make the squad more competitive.

Luke: Defensive options are great, but we have shown that we are in trouble offensively with just a couple of absences. A new striker capable of playing at the top level to back up Jimenez is the most urgent.