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By MATT BARLOW Published: 08: 41 AEDT, 10 January 2025 | Updated: 09: 51 AEDT, 10 January 2025 View comments Half a century on from their one and only FA Cup final and Fulham eased past Watford with enough comfort to leave fans wondering if with a fair wind and a friendly draw they might be good enough to sail close again. Back in 1974-75, they needed two replays to overcome Hull City in the third round. Here, with replays banished to the history books, the team poised ninth in the Premier League were simply far too strong for the team ninth in the Championship. Both sides rested players, but it was the strength in depth and array of options at Marco Silva's disposal that clinched a place in the fourth round before third round weekend begins. Fulham dominated with more than 70 per cent possession, peppering Watford's goal with 27 shots and scoring four through Rodrigo Muniz, another penalty from Raul Jimenez, Joachim Andersen and Timothy Castange. 'The players showed our approach was serious, ' said Silva when asked if his team might be a decent outside bet.   'Everyone can dream to shine in this competition and our ambition is to be in it. It is difficult but we give the maximum to be in it. And our results give us confidence. ' Fulham comfortably progressed to the FA Cup fourth round after beating Watford 4-1 Rodrigo Muniz gave the Cottagers the lead in the first half after a smart finish from the striker But Watford hotshot Rocco Vata levelled soon after with a stunning goal from 30 yards out Fulham struck midway through the first half as Watford were punished on the counterattack after a rare foray forward. Andersen won the ball in his own penalty area and launched the move which ended with a delightfully crisp finish by Muniz from a low cross by Adama Traore. It was his fourth goal of the season, although the Brazilian took a knock just before half time and hobbled off gingerly holding his back and did not make it back for the second half. Watford were back in the tie by then, with the goal of the game and an early contender for goal of the round by teenager Rocco Vata. The Glasgow-born Republic of Ireland Under-21 international with Albanian heritage signed from Celtic collected a pass on the left, turned quickly and sped away from Sasa Lukic, taking aim on the run from 30 yards. The effort screamed and dipped, and goalkeeper Steven Benda did not get close. Tom Ince tried to replicate it before the interval with another sweet strike from distance. This one was straight at Benda and he made the save with comfort. Raul Jimenez replaced Muniz and fired Fulham back into the lead with 10th of the season and his third penalty converted in five days, awarded for a clumsy and needless foul by Antonio Tikvic on Traore at a time when there seemed to be very little threat. Fulham's muscular winger was out on the very edge of the penalty area moving away from Watford's goal. Contact was minimal but Traore went over and referee Matthew Donohoe to point to the spot. 'We shot ourselves in the foot, ' grumbled Watford boss Tom Cleverley afterwards.    Marco Silva's side restored their lead through the in-form Raul Jimenez in the second half The Mexican striker kept up his 100 per cent record from the spot in his domestic career Defender Joachim Andersen (centre) then put his side 3-1 up as he popped up with a rare goal Timothy Castagne added the gloss on the victory as he struck home a fourth goal late on Fulham (4-1-4-1): Benda 6; Castagne 6. 5, Andersen 8 (Diop 66, 6), Cuenca 6, Sessegnon 6; Lukic 6. 5 (Reed 76, 6); Traore 7, Pereira 7, Smith Rowe 6. 5 (King 66); Iwobi 7. 5 (Godo 67, 6); Muniz 7. 5 (Jimenez 46, 7). Subs not used: Leno, Bassey, Reed, Wilson, Cairney. Goals: Muniz 26, Jimenez 49 (pen), Andersen 65, Castagne 85 Bookings: Cuenca Manager: Marco Silva 7 Watford (3-4-2-1): Bond 6. 5; Porteous 6, Ogbonna 6, Tikvic 5; Andrews 6, Dwomoh 5 (Louza 32, 5. 5), Kayembe 6, Larouci 5; Ince 5 (Baah 67, 5), Vata 6. 5 (Chakvetadze 67, 5); Doumbia 5 (Nabizada 89). Subs not used: Roberts, Sierralta, Sissoko, Bayo, Morris. Goals: Vata 33 Bookings: Kayembe Manager: Tom Cleverley 5 Ref: Matthew Donohoe 6 Jimenez never looked like missing from the spot and Fulham did not look in the mood to surrender their lead for a second time. Andersen smashed in the third at the second attempt from a corner, Andreas Pereira, captain on the night, rattled the bar and Castagne headed in the fourth at the near post. With the tie won, Silva took off Andersen, Iwobi and Emile Smith Rowe, probably with Tuesday's trip to West Ham in mind, a repeat of the 1975 FA Cup final, and the cue for a little more Wembley nostalgia. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group