Fulham 4-1 Watford: Cottagers comfortably see off Championship side as Rodrigo Muniz, Raul Jimenez, Joachim Andersen and Timothy Castagne all net in rout

Half a century after their only FA Cup final, Fulham are on their way, passing Watford with few problems.

In 1974-75 they needed two replays to beat Hull City in the third round. Here, with replays a thing of the past, the team in ninth place in the Premier League were far too strong for the team in ninth place in the Championship.

Both sides rested their first-team players, with both sides making seven changes, but the difference in class was clear and Marco Silva’s team put aside the early taunts from almost 5,000 aimed at their former manager, the shut up.

Fulham had the ball all night and might have won more easily if Rodrigo Muniz had fired them into the lead midway through the first half.

Alex Iwobi had already scored a fingertip save from Jonathan Bond, but they only broke through when the visitors made a rare foray forward and were punished on the counter-attack. Joachim Andersen won the ball in his own penalty area and launched the move which ended with Muniz’s wonderfully sharp finish from Adama Traore’s low cross.

It was his fourth goal of the season, although the Brazilian took a blow just before half-time and gingerly limped out on his back and did not make it through the second half.

Rodrigo Muniz put the Cottagers ahead in the first half after a smart finish from the striker

But Watford hotshot Rocco Vata leveled shortly afterwards with a stunning goal from 30 yards out

Watford were then back on level terms, with an early third-round goal scored by teenager Rocco Vata.

The Glasgow-born Ireland Under-21 international of Albanian descent, signed from Celtic, collected a pass on the left, quickly turned and raced away from Sasa Lukic, aiming at the break from 30 yards.

The effort screamed and sank, and goalkeeper Steven Benda couldn’t get close. Tom Ince tried to repeat it before the break with another goal from distance. This one was straight at Benda and he made a comfortable save.

Raul Jimenez replaced Muniz and put Fulham back in the lead with his tenth goal of the season, his third penalty in five days.

The ball was given after a clumsy and unnecessary foul by Antonio Tikvic on Traore, at a time when there seemed to be little threat.

Fulham’s muscular winger was on the far edge of the penalty area, running away from Watford’s goal.

Tikvic’s contact was minimal but Traore went over and with no VAR at this stage of the FA Cup it was enough to convince referee Matthew Donohoe to point to the spot.

The Cottagers restored their lead through the in-form Raul Jimenez in the second half

The Mexican striker maintained his 100 percent record from the spot in his home career

Joachim Andersen (centre) then put his side up 3-1 when he emerged with a rare goal

Marco Silva chose a strong side as he set out his intentions to take the FA Cup seriously

Timothy Castagne added the sparkle to the win when he netted a fourth goal late on

Jimenez found the net and Silva’s side took control. Bond made saves from Emile Smith Rowe and Ryan Sessegnon but were beaten for a third time when Andersen smashed home from a corner at the second attempt.

Fulham pressed on. Andreas Pereira came close to a fourth when he rattled the crossbar and Timothy Castagne added the fourth.

Silva eliminated Andersen, Iwobi and Smith Rowe. Perhaps with Tuesday’s visit to West Ham in mind, a repeat of the 1975 FA Cup final and the occasion for some more Wembley nostalgia.