Sunderland's FA Cup replay against Fulham next week has been picked for live TV coverage on BBC1. The game will take place at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday, February 8, with kick-off at 7.45pm.
TV listings site Radio Times first revealed the news this afternoon, publishing a story that the BBC has moved the scheduled episode of Eastenders so that the build-up to the cup tie can be shown starting at 7.30pm. At that stage there was no official word that the tie would be televised or of the date for the fixture, but both have now been confirmed.
Sunderland drew 1-1 with Premier League Fulham on Saturday at Craven Cottage, with Jack Clarke's early opener cancelled out in the second half by Tom Cairney, meaning the sides must meet again on Wearside. The winners of that tie will go through to the last 16 of the competition, with the prize being a home tie against Premier League Leeds United.
If Tony Mowbray's men beat Fulham at the second attempt, it would mean they would face Leeds in the 50th anniversary season of their famous victory against the Yorkshire club at Wembley in 1973 - the last time a club from the North East won the trophy. Sunderland's FA Cup journey began with a third round win at League One Shrewsbury Town earlier this month, with injury time goals from Ross Stewart and Luke O'Nien earning them a 2-1 victory.
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Fulham beat Championship side Hull City 2-0 at the MKM Stadium in the third round, with Layvin Kurzawa and on-loan Leeds winger Dan James on the scoresheet. Leeds beat needed a replay to see off Championship strugglers Cardiff City in the third round, before eventually winning 5-2 at Elland Road, and they won 3-1 at League One Accrington Stanley on Saturday to book their place in the fifth round.
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