Ross Stewart lay in a crumpled heap at Craven Cottage, banging his fist against the turf in pain. A couple of minutes later, Sunderland's talismanic striker departed on a stretcher with a serious Achilles injury - a problem that could, if it is as bad as boss Tony Mowbray fears, end his season - and returned to Wearside wearing a protective plastic boot.
It was the nightmare scenario for Sunderland: losing their star man in an FA Cup tie with all the potential repercussions it could have on the Championship campaign that remains their top priority. With Ellis Simms having been recalled by Everton from his loan stay on Wearside at the beginning of the month, Mowbray was asked this week whether he was frustrated at the delay in bringing in another striker as it had left him with no option but to risk Stewart, the club's only out-and-out striker, in the cup.
As it was, Sunderland signed Joe Gelhardt on loan from Leeds United on Friday as competition and cover. But Gelhardt was cup-tied and could not play in the fourth round game at Fulham, leaving Mowbray with Hobson's choice as Stewart played and ultimately suffered his second major injury of the season.
