Are the stars perfectly aligned for FA Cup glory?
In football, we talk a lot about narrative and the drama that drives this wonderful sport.And that is why I am convinced we can make it to Wembley this year in the FA Cup.Anyone who watched our penalty shootout win at Old Trafford on Sunday will know it is exactly 50 years since our first and only FA Cup final appearance – our central narrative thread.Beating Manchester United on their patch was sweet revenge for our quarter-final tie in 2023, when we were 20 minutes away from a Wembley semi-final before three minutes of madness that started with Willian handling on the line and ended with Alexander Mitrovic seeing red for laying his hands on referee Chris Kavanagh and Marco Silva banished to the sidelines in protest.Two United goals in two minutes later and we were left to dream for another year. It is a tragedy worthy of its own chapter or two.When Bernd Leno saved Joshua Zirkzee's penalty to see us through to the next round, it felt like a huge obstacle was removed in our quest for cup glory.
I spoke a lot last week about similarities with Crystal Palace and our ambitions. We will find out who really wants the glory more in this last-eight tie at Craven Cottage.Then there is the Eagles' less-than-concrete claim to being the oldest club in London - another juicy storyline.Other plot strands that leave me convinced we can make it include the fact it has been 15 years since our magnificent run to the Europa League final, during which we won the hearts of the nation, and finally that it is our captain Tom Cairney's 10-year anniversary at the club. He has been at the heart of every high and low we have experienced during the past decade.If football truly is about stories and moments, then we could be writing one of the greatest tales of all time - well, for Fulham fans at least.Find more from Drew Heatley at Fulhamish, externalNot a Fulham fan? Find and follow your team here
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