Stoke City midfielder Bae Jun-ho delivered a standout moment by scoring against Premier League side Fulham in the 2025-2026 FA Cup fourth round, putting his Championship team 2-0 up before a second-half collapse led to a 1-2 defeat.
Match Action at bet365 Stadium
The clash unfolded on February 16 (Korean time) at Stoke-on-Trent’s bet365 Stadium. Stoke struck first in the 15th minute through Sorba Thomas’s powerful mid-range shot that opened the scoring. Fulham mounted fierce attacks, but four minutes later, in the 19th minute, Bae Jun-ho doubled the lead. Receiving a cross from Eric Bocat during a counter-attack, Bae trapped the ball with his right foot before rifling a shot past the keeper into the top corner.
Stoke goalkeeper Tommy Simkin made crucial saves in the first half to preserve the clean sheet. However, Fulham fought back after the break. Kevin netted the equalizer in the 60th minute, leveling the score at 2-1. Stoke then conceded the winner in the 84th minute when Simkin erred after a save, allowing Harris to intercept a pass and slot home.
Bae Jun-ho’s Impact and Form
This marked Bae Jun-ho’s first FA Cup goal since joining Stoke City in August 2023. It echoed his previous season’s opener against Leicester City on November 22, arriving just three months later. This season, the Korean star has recorded one goal and three assists in league play, plus two goals and three assists across all competitions. Facing a 12th-placed Premier League outfit highlighted his potential as Stoke chase promotion.
Bae picked up a yellow card in the 74th minute for unsportsmanlike conduct and was substituted in the 89th minute.
Broader FA Cup Updates
Fulham advanced to the round of 16 despite the early setback. Other clubs progressing include Arsenal, Manchester City, Sunderland, Liverpool, and Newcastle United. Wolverhampton Wanderers, without Hwang Hee-chan due to an ankle injury sustained against Chelsea on February 11, secured a 1-0 away win over League Two side Grimsby Town. Tezjn Santiago Bueno’s 60th-minute strike sealed their progression after two straight games without their star forward.
