Leeds United fell to defeat last night, in a hard-fought encounter which brought to a premature end to their FA Cup run.
Travelling to the ever-impressive Fulham, it was always going to be a tough task to topple a Cottagers side thriving under the tutelage of Marco Silva.
The Portuguese tactician currently has his outfit sitting sixth in the Premier League, vying for European spots against all the odds.
However, it was a match which fell into similar patterns for the Whites, as they dominated large exchanges of the game but once again lacked cutting edge.
Javi Gracia’s side recorded 16 shots with six on target, completely dwarfing the seven shots and three on target of the hosts. However, it was two touches of brilliance and sheer quality that made the difference, something which Leeds have lacked recently.
Despite the result, there was one shining light from the display in Georginio Rutter, who earned just his second start since his big-money January move.
How did Georginio Rutter play against Fulham?
The Frenchman had made the switch to Elland Road halfway through last month’s transfer window, and despite having now featured in six games has only been trusted from the off away from the Premier League.
It marks a perplexing strategy, to continue to shun their brand-new starlet as they stare down another relegation battle.
Last night offered several glimpses into the immense quality they had gained, with the 20-year-old also having the ball in the back of the net before seeing his first goal for the club chalked off.
It was a decision Gracia dubbed “very, very soft”, as Weston McKennie was adjudged to have fouled a Fulham player in the build-up.
However, this was not Rutter’s only worthwhile contribution during the match.
His 7.0 Sofascore rating was only bested by midfield maestro Marc Roca of those on his team, as he recorded a neat and tidy display, which could be described as faultless.
A 90% pass accuracy supports this as does his one successful attempted dribble and one key pass. The 18-touch gem would even strike the woodwork too, as he was inches from a goal that the officials could not dispute, via Sofascore.
It was a workmanlike performance where he outlined himself as a thorn in the side of the eventual victors, and he proved why talent scout Jacek Kulig had once dubbed him as “mobile, powerful and energetic” at the start of the season.
Despite seeing their cup run cut short, Gracia will be thankful that it was not a league match as his main prerogative will remain securing safety.
He could still take solace in the fact that Jesse Marsch’s club-record signing once again staked his claim for additional starts, as LeedsLive reporter Beren Cross hailed him as the “silver lining” for the Spaniard on Tuesday evening.