Fulham 2-0 Leeds United: Joao Palhinha and Manor Solomon score spectacular goals – NewsEverything Football

Fulham scored two spectacular goals to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time since 2010 as Leeds slipped to a first defeat under new manager Javi Gracia.

Leeds responded by hitting the post through Georginio Rutter’s looping header, while they also had two goals – from Rutter and Wilfried Gnonto – ruled out.

Gnonto also forced a fine save from Marek Rodak before the visitors conceded a second, Manor Solomon scoring for the fourth successive game with a strike past Illan Meslier from the edge of the box after exchanging passes with Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Fulham thriving under Silva

Fulham are a team full of confidence under Marco Silva, who in the space of 20 months has taken the Cottagers from the Championship into the top six of the Premier League.

Not since 2011-12 under Roy Hodgson have they played in Europe but there is a feel-good factor around Craven Cottage after Fulham extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to seven games.

They are now just two wins from a first FA Cup final since 1975.

Silva made seven changes to his team but it still proved enough to see off their opponents in the all-Premier League tie.

Leeds, who were well backed in London by their travelling fans, responded well after falling behind to Palhinha’s special finish.

But their inability to find the net cost them as Fulham advanced by scoring from two of their three attempts on target. In contrast, Leeds had 16 attempts – six on target – without scoring.

Gracia is left to concentrate on keeping Leeds in the Premier League and he can reflect on some positives despite tasting defeat in his second game in charge.