Stoke 1-2 Fulham: Harrison Reed late winner sends Fulham into FA Cup fifth round
On Feb. 13, 2026 (ET) Fulham staged a second-half comeback to beat Championship side Stoke City 2-1 and progress to the FA Cup fifth round. Stoke had taken an early lead through Jun-Ho Bae, but Fulham hit back Kevin before Harrison Reed seized on a goalkeeper error to net the decisive goal six minutes from time.
Second-half fightback and late drama
Stoke looked the more dangerous side in the opening stages and grabbed the lead in the 19th minute when Jun-Ho Bae rifled home after a sweeping move finished by Eric Bocat’s pass. The hosts threatened to double their advantage shortly before half-time after a bright period that included two fine saves by keeper Tommy Simkin to deny Kevin and a headed miss by Alex Iwobi from close range.
The second half brought a momentum shift. Stoke almost extended their lead early after the break when Lamine Cisse’s curling effort was tipped onto the post by Fulham keeper Benjamin Lecomte, but Fulham quickly found a response. In the 55th minute Brazilian winger Kevin drove into the box and drilled a low finish past Simkin to level the tie and give Fulham a foothold.
As the Premier League side pressed for a winner they introduced Raul Jimenez and Emile Smith Rowe to increase the threat. The decisive moment arrived with six minutes remaining when Simkin attempted to play out from inside his own area; Reed pounced on a loose pass, won the ball and composedly slotted home. It was Reed’s first FA Cup goal and his second of the season, a strike that sealed a 2-1 victory and ended Fulham’s run of three straight defeats across competitions.
Tactical tweaks, personnel and key performers
Both managers made a number of changes following midweek league fixtures. Stoke’s boss made five alterations to his side as the Potters, winless in six since beating Coventry in the previous round, looked to cause an upset. Fulham’s line-up featured Alex Iwobi making his 100th appearance for the club, while January signing Oscar Bobb was handed a first start.
Stoke’s early intensity was rewarded by Bae’s clinical finish, and Sorba Thomas produced a bright early chance that forced Lecomte into action. Simkin’s two superb saves before the break kept Stoke ahead going into half-time, but Fulham’s greater quality on the ball in the second period paid dividends. Kevin’s equaliser stemmed from a direct driving run into the box, and Fulham’s substitutes helped tilt the contest in their favour as they chased a winner.
For Stoke, the narrow defeat will be a tough pill to swallow after a positive opening to their cup run. For Fulham, the comeback provides a timely boost as the side look to arrest a run of poor league results and build momentum heading into the business end of the season.
What it means next
Fulham’s victory sends them into the fifth round of the FA Cup, with the draw scheduled to take place on Monday (ET). Stoke exit the competition but will turn their attention back to the Championship with hopes of arresting a slump in form. Fulham head into the next round buoyed by a late winner that underlined the importance of squad depth and patience in knockout football.
