Dion Dublin and Ashley Williams were left impressed by Sunderland's display at Fulham. The Black Cats thought they'd won it late on through 15-year-old Chris Rigg, only for officials to rule the goal out for offside in the build-up.
Tony Mowbray's side were more than a match for Premier League opposition to tee up a replay at the Stadium of Light. Former Swansea City defender, Willams, told Match of The Day: "They were very good at both ends of the field. They defended very well and they were stubborn.
"It was at the top end of the pitch where I thought they were impressive. Six minutes into the game and Clarke presses Diop into a mistake and it's a really clever and calm finish.
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"What they did, they were very sharp, very bright, you heard Tony Mowbray say it earlier, they've got intelligent football players at the top of the pitch and they commit men forward which they were brave with. They weren't sitting back and worrying about conceding a goal and letting Fulham come onto them.
"Every time in the transition, as soon as Sunderland won the ball back, their first thought was can they get bodies up the pitch and get the ball to our intelligent players, they loaded the box and want to score goals.
"Roberts had a really, really strong performance today, he was on the front foot all day and he attacks and he wants his goal. They defender well, but going forward they looked bright, dynamic, brave, they wanted to take the game to Fulham, credit to them.
"Overall, Fulham had way more possession and control in the game, they probably had two of the bets chances that weren't converted. They'll probably be a bit annoyed that they didn't win the game - Pereira - this is an unbelievable block from Ballard on the line which was great defending.
"What Fulham can do is cut you open with clever play, clever movement. Kurzawa got forward and Cairney had a good game today, this is a clever finish. It's nice feet in the box and then Mitrovic comes on and does what he does, strong, uses his strength and holds it up well.
"When he shoots, Decordova-Reid is just thinking I've got to get something on it, I'm two-yards out and he does. It's a great double save from Patterson who also pulled off some good saves today. In total, Fulham had the lion share of possession, but it was a good cup tie, two teams wanted to win it."
The Black Cats will host Fulham at the Stadium of Light, a factor that could sway the tie in Sunderland's favour. Dublin added: "I thought they were very well organised. Very much a Tony Mowbray side. I think it's going to be tough [the replay].
"It's going to be buoyant, it'll be noisy, packed. I've played there many times, it's all about can you deal with who you're playing with and the atmosphere as well, it'll be tough for them."
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