Fulham win can be springboard for FA Cup semis, says Watford’s Garcia

LONDON: Watford’s commanding win over Fulham in the Premier League can act as a springboard for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Wolverhampton Wanderers, manager Javi Gracia has said.

Watford were in complete control against Fulham on Tuesday, with goals from Abdoulaye Doucuoure, Will Hughes, Troy Deeney and Kiko Femenia sealing a 4-1 win.

The result condemned Fulham to relegation and ensured Watford reached their best points tally in the top division since the 1986-87 campaign.

“To achieve 46 points is the best amount in the Premier League and I think it’s amazing,” Gracia told reporters, adding that the win was “the best way to prepare for the semi-final”.

“It will be a tough game (against Wolves), but we know we are able to beat anyone. We have to be demanding with ourselves, and in this way, we are able to win as well.”

Fulham chairman Shahid Khan has apologised to the club’s supporters after the London club were relegated from the Premier League.

“I’m sorry that we let you down,” Shahid said in a statement on the club’s website yesterday.

“Our goal this season was to build on what we achieved in promotion and deliver on our pledge to invest heavily in the squad, ensuring that Fulham would always compete in the Premier League and, no matter the result, never disappoint.

“Last night’s outcome made official what we didn’t think would be possible in August and tried desperately to remedy and avoid as the season wore on.”

The club spent an estimated £100 million (RM537 million) — the most ever spent by a newlypromoted club — on new players in the close season after gaining promotion to the top flight.

But they failed to click as a team, even naming three managers over the course of the season with Slavisa Jokanovic being replaced in November by Claudio Ranieri, who was then sacked in February and succeeded by interim coach Scott Parker.

Fulham have the worst defensive record in the league, having conceded 76 goals in 33 games.

The most goals ever conceded in a 38-match Premier League season stands at 89, set by Derby County in 2007-08.

Fulham have five games to go to avoid beating it.