Fulham 3 Sheffield United 0
With already two goals scored by Ross McCormack and with just two minutes remaining, the Blades found themselves reduced to nine men after Jose Baxter and Kieran Wallace were both shown straight red cards, before the hosts netted a cruel third to dump last season's semi-finalists out of the cup.
Seeing a League One title challenge as a higher priority, Blades boss Nigel Adklins made ten changes ahaed of last night's fixture, with only Kieran Wallace the sole survivor from the 2-0 win over Blackpool the previous weekend, whilst James Wallace was handed the captaincy.
In the early exchanges Christensen and McNulty saw burts halted before, on four minutes, through Higdon, who was making his first appearance of the season, tackled his defender and set Woolford on the offensive, but his shot deflected wide.
The hosts went close after 12 minutes of play and it proved to be their best opportunity so far, McCormack found himself crowded out but was able to find Tunnicliffe who shattered his shot against the bar. At the other end Higdon set up McNulty, but tjhe Scot saw his effort saved by Longergan, and moments later Long gathered up Christensen's effort.
United's inexperienced side continued to contain Fulham but Dembele missed two chances, first he flashed wide and then with a header. Before the break Alcock's centre foun Woolford on the turn, but was unable to turn home. Half-Time: 0-0.
Both sides decided not to make any changes at half-time, and following a steady start to the second 45 minutes McCormack fired into the safe hands of Long. Fulham soon found themselves ahead from clumsy defending. A corner was won with Tunnicliffe winning the header, and poised to leap into a over head scissor-kick, McCormack was pulled to the ground. McCORMACK stepped up and sent Long the wrong way from the penalty spot.
United continued to battle hard with Adkins making changes, Dimaio and Baxter replaced James Wallace and De Girolamo respectivly, but on 74 minutes the task was made harder when Fulham doubled their advantage. On the left hand side, Pringle saw McCORMACK, and his effort curled beyond Long, low into the bottom far corner.
At this point it was vitually game over for the rusty Blades, Dembele tested Long again, with McFadzean mopping up any further danger, but Unityed continued to cause a problem at the other end as Higdon headed Baxter's corner over the bar, and McNulty likewise after Woolford crossed.
With the clock ticking down the visitors were reduced to nine men, firstly substitute Baxter fouled Cairney, and moments later last man Kieran Wallace pulled back Dembele. Up against it the Blades were added further punishment whenn DEMBELE finally was rewarded with a goal after turning home a rebound.
It was a bitter defeat for a hard working Sheffield United side who will now see two players miss the next three matches.
Fulham: Lonergan, Richards, Kacaniklic (Cairney 62), Ream (Bodurov 79), Voser, Pringle, Tunnicliffe, Christensen, Dembele, Burn, McCormack. Unused: Woodrow, Lewis, Hyndman, Kavanagh, Cole.
Sheffield United: Long, J Wallace (Dimaio 66), McNulty, Woolford, Alcock (Adams 83), Reed, Higdon, De Girolamo (Baxter 66), McFadzean, K Wallace, McGahey Unused: Howard, Freeman, Sammon, Edgar.