MONTELLA scored and set up Brian McBride and Tomasz Radzinski to give Fulham a comfortable passage through to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Championship high-fliers Stoke fought valiantly but could not get to grips with Fulham's slick counterattacking play.

Montell'as goal came on 12 minutes and all stemmed from an error by Dominic Matteo which let in Liam Rosenior to force a corner. Steve Simonsen saved Radzinski's header, but the Canadian's reactions were lightning fast as he slipped the ball in for Montella to finish.

Stoke had a policy of trying to get the ball into the box as quickly as possible but Fulham's central defenders stood firm. They were also counterattacking impressively, and a superb break crafted by Montella led to their second goal by McBride in the 39th minute.

The on-loan Roma striker chested the ball down and slid it through for the American to apply a clinical finish.

And Stoke's defence was cut open again when Radzinski added Fulham's third goal in the 52nd minute. Montella, once more, started the move with a simple pass to Volz who threaded the ball through for Radzinski.