Fulham v Newcastle: FA Cup fourth round – live | FA Cup

5 mins: But Fulham hand the ball back on a plate, a loose pass getting away from Robinson. Murphy has time and space, but hits his shot straight at Rodak, who can gather at the second attempt. An early let-off for the hosts.

4 mins: Newcastle look set up to play on the break and get their first chance to do so here, with Gordon racing down the left before Isak’s attempted cross to Murphy is cut out …

2 mins: Fulham work the ball back and forth for a while before Harrison Reed plays a pass in to Muniz’s feet. On the turn, he sends a well-hit but wayward shot over the bar.

Peep!

Almost time for kick off. Fulham have played Newcastle four times in the FA Cup before, all between 1908 and 1961. They lost all four, conceding at least four goals in each game. Hopefully they can at least break that run tonight.

“The term ‘suffer’ is being used a little too much by managers these days, to describe a poor run of form,” writes Chris Paraskevas. “As a result, I’ve started applying it as an all-encompassing term in my own life, out of habit.”

“As a Newcastle fan, both of those emotional states have been my default setting for as long as I can remember. The mood surrounding our season arguably hinges on this result. Huge game coming up for Eddie Howe and Jason ‘Mad Dog’ Tindall.”

Eddie Howe speaks: “We’ve got some good training under our belts, we’ve enjoyed the work*. We come here in a confident mood … the attacking options are still quite thin, though. We’re desperate to stay in this competition, and to find our best form.”

Howe adds that Miguel Almirón is absent due to illness, Jamaal Lascelles has a calf problem and Jacob Murphy’s return is “good timing – he brings a lot of qualities for us.”

*Don’t like this one either

On tedious football phrases, Nelson Calvinho offers: “Definitely ‘asking questions’. Why is everyone in a football match asking questions? What questions? Is it a football match or a press conference or school class?”

“Not a huge fan of ‘I’ve seen them given’ on the premise of a terrible refereeing decision over a decade ago,” writes Matt Bryant.

“Can I nominate ‘in and around’ please?” asks Andy Flintoff (not that one). “It tells you absolutely nothing. Also, while I’m at it, can I ask what the LGBTQ+ rights organisation Stonewall has to do with penalties?”

Some Fulham fan groups have vowed to stay away tonight over ticket prices; the cheapest ticket available for this game is £40. The stands certainly look emptier than you might expect 15 minutes before kick off – and they were packed for the Carabao Cup match. More information below:

Here’s Marco Silva: “It was a tough game [on Wednesday], took a lot of energy from us. In seven days we are going to play three games, it’s not normal, it’s really tough. We took many positives, but the main one was to be at Wembley. We were competitive in both matches, which gives us confidence we are in the right direction.”

Magpies on the pitch and starlings in the floodlights at Craven Cottage.

Speaking of overused phrases, talk of “the group” seems to be everywhere these days. Managers expressing satisfaction with “a good group”, new signings yearning to be “part of the group”. Enough already.

What modern football jargon gets your goat? Get in touch on Email or X/Twitter.

“Delighted as I am to be able to watch Fulham on real TV, I am concerned they won’t have recovered emotionally or physically from Wednesday’s defeat,” writes Richard Hirst. “The team selection further increases my fear of a damp squib. Oh Marco!”

It does feel like – to borrow a modern phrase – Silva put his eggs in the Carabao Cup basket, but let’s see. Given what’s happened on Merseyside since, feels very weird that the Liverpool game was only three nights ago.

The teams in full

Marco Silva makes seven changes from Wednesday’s game, with Marek Rodak replacing Bernd Leno in goal. Kenny Tete and Tim Ream come into defence, with Sasa Lukic and Harrison Reed in midfield. Harry Wilson, impressive off the bench against Liverpool, replaces Willian while Rodrigo Muñiz starts up front.

Just one change from the Newcastle team that lost 3-2 at home to Manchester City two weeks ago. Jacob Murphy is fit to start after recovering from a shoulder injury, and replaces Miguel Almirón in Eddie Howe’s line-up.

And here’s how Newcastle line up.

Marco Silva’s starting XI is out …

Preamble