Ireland Under-21 international Rocco Vata produced a moment of magic for Watford in the third round of the FA Cup at Craven Cottage, however, the Championship side were eventually well beaten by top flight Fulham.
After a well-worked counter-attack saw Rodrigo Muniz net his first goal of 2025 for Fulham, Vata scored what will be considered a goal-of-the-competition contender with a thumping long-range effort to draw the sides level.
Raul Jimenez continued his fine scoring record from the spot before Joachim Andersen and Timothy Castagne scored their first goals of the season to help Marco Silva's side topple his former club and advance into the next round.
A Rocket from Rocco 🚀
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 9, 2025
Rocco Vata with a stunner from distance for @WatfordFC 🤯#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/lrfUJWC4ZH
Cian Ashford struck the only goal as Cardiff turned the form book upside down at Bramall Lane by dumping Sheffield United out of the Cup with a 1-0 win.
Ashford marked his eighth senior start for Championship relegation battlers Cardiff with a first-half strike that settled their third-round tie in front of a paltry crowd of just 6,126.
Harrison Burrows struck a post for the Blades late in the game, but it was too little, too late for Chris Wilder's much-changed side.
