So there will be no FA Cup fairytale to mark the 50th anniversary of 1973. Nor a last 16 meeting with Leeds United to evoke the memory of that Wembley day in May half a century ago.
Sunderland's cup exit at the hands of Fulham saw to that. But the Black Cats can hold their heads up high for the way they went toe-to-toe with top flight opposition, just as they did against Leeds way back when.
The sides produced a breathless game full of drama at Craven Cottage when they drew 1-1 in the initial fourth round tie, and last night's replay - screened live on BBC1 - was a similarly fine advert for the nation's premier cup competition. This time, Fulham's class shone through although Sunderland demonstrated the kind of never-say-die spirit that has served them so well in the Championship this season.
READ MORE: Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray praises performance but rues missed opportunity against Fulham
The Black Cats were up against it when Harry Wilson put the Londoners ahead inside ten minutes at the Stadium of Light. And when substitute Andreas Pereira doubled Fulham's lead on the hour - immediately after Sunderland's best spell in the game which saw Patrick Roberts bring an excellent save out of Marek Rodak, and then Amad denied by a goalline clearance - it could have been game over.
Instead, Jack Clarke pulled a goal back to give Sunderland hope, and even when Layvin Kurzawa restored Fulham's two-goal lead minutes later, sub Jewison Bennette scored near the end to ensure the Black Cats were in the game right up to the end. Overall, Fulham were the better side on the night and Sunderland can have few complaints.
Fulham manager Marco Silva was able to make nine changes to the side that drew at Chelsea on Friday night, while Tony Mowbray named essentially the strongest line-up available to him. Silva could call upon players of the calibre of Pereira and Aleksandar Mitrovic from the bench - with Willian an unused sub - while with Ross Stewart injured and Joe Gelhardt cup-tied, Mowbray did not have a single centre-forward available.
In fact, for 160 of the 180 minutes of the two games Sunderland were without a specialist striker. Nevertheless, they scored three goals against Premier League opposition, with two of those coming without a striker on the field.
They created a hatful of chances and, with fair wind, might even won the tie at the first attempt. But it makes no difference now.
This has been a useful exercise for Sunderland in that they have been able to test themselves against a team full of players that ran away with the Championship last season and, while they came up short, the gap was not exactly a gulf. Mowbray and his team deserve credit for that.
As Sunderland look to maintain their play-off challenge in the coming weeks and months, they can take heart from the spirit they showed in these games against Fulham.
READ NEXT:
- Tony Mowbray on Sunderland's promotion ambitions, and the success of their recruitment department
- Fulham boss Marco Silva's reaction to what Sunderland did is perfect lift for Black Cats
- Jack Clarke, Patrick Roberts, and Amad impress in Sunderland's FA Cup defeat against Fulham
- Sunderland bow out of FA Cup after thrilling fourth round replay against Fulham on Wearside
- Tony Mowbray explains why he would have risked Joe Gelhardt in the FA Cup - if only he could
