Good afternoon! Thank you for joining Sports Mole for today's FA Cup fifth round clash between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage! It was another famous day of FA Cup action yesterday, and Fulham will be looking to join the party this afternoon against a Spurs side who have suffered a dip in form of late. Another upset could well be on the cards here but, before we look at the London rivals, let's first check out the team news...

FULHAM STARTING XI: Bettinelli; Odoi, Ream, Kalas, Malone; McDonald, Kebano, Cairney, Johansen, Aluko; Ayite

FULHAM SUBS: Button, Madl, Sessegnon, Parker, Piazon, Martin, Cyriac

TOTTENHAM STARTING XI: Vorm; Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Wanyama, Winks, Eriksen, Son, Dele; Kane

TOTTENHAM SUBS: Lopez, Carter-Vickers, Wimmer, Dembele, Onomah, Sissoko, Janssen

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, there is plenty to talk about with regards to the Spurs lineup, but we'll start with the hosts and Slavisa Jokanovic has, to a certain extent, kept his word that he would name something close to his strongest XI for this match. He only makes four changes to the team which beat Nottingham Forest on Tuesday which, by FA Cup standards nowadays, is quite a consistent selection.

Many fans would have been hoping to catch a glimpse of Ryan Sessegnon who, at just 16 years old, is already being tipped for a very bright future having been a regular in the first team this season. He has scored in both previous rounds of this competition too, in addition to an assist in the last round against Hull, but he is given a rest by Jokanovic today. The youngster could still make it onto the field, however, having been named on the bench alongside top scorer Chris Martin.

Kalas returns at the heart of the defence for the home side having suffered from a hip injury recently, while behind him in goal Bettinelli is brought back into the side as expected, with Button dropping to the bench. Malone is the third change in the defensive areas, with Odoi and Ream the only players to keep their places from the back five that started against Nottingham Forest.

Further forward, Jokanovic has kept faith with the majority of his attacking and midfield players, and Spurs will need to be wary of a number of threats from all over the park from the hosts today. Cairney and Johansen have both weighed in with goals from midfield so far this season, while Aluko and Ayite have also shown that they can be dangerous in the final third if given space. The only change in the midfield area sees Kebano come in in place of Piazon, who drops to the bench.

That Fulham XI will be coming up against a very strong Tottenham side, though, with Pochettino taking very few risks after a day of shocks yesterday. The headline news is the return of Jan Vertonghen, who has been sidelined since last month with an ankle injury. Spurs have won just two of the six matches that he has missed, so Pochettino will be delighted to have him back alongside Toby Alderweireld at the heart of the defence. Dier, who has been filling in for the Belgian during his absence, is given the day off today.

Another notable inclusion for Spurs is that of Harry Kane, who will captain the side despite the expectation that he would be rested. The England international picked up a knock to his knee during the Europa League defeat to Gent in midweek and, with the return leg of that coming up next Thursday, he was not expected to be risked today. However, Pochettino clearly feels that he is fully fit to play and he will lead the line this afternoon as Spurs look to rediscover some form in front of goal.

There are also starts for Eriksen, Dele Alli and Son as Pochettino names what many would regard as his first-choice attacking quartet for this match - a welcome change from what we are used to seeing in the FA Cup nowadays. Son in particular has been in decent form in this competition so far, scoring three goals in the past two rounds including the 97th-minute winner to squeeze past Wycombe in the last round. Alli was also on the scoresheet in that match.

In all, Pochettino has also made just four changes for this game, with Dembele amongst those to drop to the bench against his former club. Sissoko, Lloris and Walker are also rested, with the latter two absent from the matchday squad altogether, as Vorm, Trippier, Eriksen and Son come into the side. Winks starts again in the centre of midfield alongside Wanyama in what looks like being a 4-2-3-1 formation rather than the 4-3-3 deployed against Gent.

It is a daunting team for Fulham to come up against, then, but they will still come into this match full of confidence that they can come away with a positive result. Their own recent form may have been enough to convince them it was possible anyway, but the events of yesterday will have only increased that belief. Lincoln stole the headlines with victory over Burnley, but 10-man Millwall also downed the Premier League champions and Huddersfield held Manchester City to a goalless draw. The big teams have not been given an easy ride by any means this season.

Fulham come into this match having won four of their last five matches in all competitions, with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Birmingham City the only blemish on their record in that time. Their decent form stretches even further back than that too, with nine wins and just three defeats from their last 15 outings across all competitions. Another win this afternoon would give them three on the bounce for the first time since the opening three games of the season.

That form has lifted Fulham back towards playoff contention, although there is still plenty of work to be done for them to bridge the gap. The top six have built a decent lead over the chasing pack, and eighth-placed Fulham remain nine points adrift of those coveted playoff spots. However, they do boast at least one game in hand over the majority of the teams around them in the table and, if they can win those, then the deficit would look a lot more manageable.

The Cottagers have been in good goalscoring form this season too, with only Norwich - who have played two more matches than Fulham - having scored more outside the top two. Their defensive record is not quite as impressive - only two teams have conceded more in the top eight - but in recent games especially they have been managing to outscore the opposition. Indeed, their last two outings have both finished 3-2 in Fulham's favour.

Fulham have been particularly prolific here at Craven Cottage, where they have averaged three goals per game during a recent four-match winning streak in front of their own fans. They have not been beaten here since a 2-1 defeat to top-of-the-table Brighton on January 2, which is also their only defeat in their last 11 home games, during which time they have won seven and scored 30 goals. Another victory today would see them win five home games on the bounce for the first time in more than six years, with their run from January to February 2011 also including a 4-0 FA Cup home win over Tottenham.

You would get very long odds on a repeat of that scoreline today, but Hull did hit four past Premier League opposition in the last round, easing past Hull City 4-1 having overcome Cardiff City in the third round. Prior to those two wins, Fulham had not been victorious in an FA Cup match since January 2014, a run of seven outings that saw them draw four times and lose twice inside normal time. The Cottagers have not eliminated two Premier League teams in the same FA Cup season whilst being in a lower tier since 1998-99, when they knocked out Aston Villa and Southampton.

Following that win against Hull in the last round, Fulham are looking for back-to-back home FA Cup wins for the first time since that run in 2011, when they thrashed Tottenham in the second of their home games. However, they have not reached the quarter-finals of the competition since 2010, when they were knocked out in the last eight by...(guess who?)...Tottenham! Fulham have never won this competition, incidentally, with their best showing coming in 1975 when they finished as runners-up.

There is no doubt that Tottenham win when it comes to FA Cup pedigree, then, with the North Londoners having lifted this trophy eight times in the past. However, the frustration amongst those at White Hart Lane will be that the most recent of those eight triumphs came way back in 1991, which is far too long a wait for a club like this. They won't get much sympathy from the Fulham fans who are still waiting for their first success, but Spurs supporters will feel that FA Cup glory is well overdue.

A piece of silverware this season would be a nice marker for the progression the club have made in recent years too, with Pochettino establishing them as amongst the main title contenders in the past two seasons. A recent dip in form may have ended their chances this term, though, with 10 points separating them from leaders Chelsea following their defeat to Liverpool last weekend. Even so, they are well placed to finish in the top four once again, currently sitting in third place.

The competitiveness amongst the teams sitting from second to sixth means that any slip-ups could change things entirely, though, and one defeat for Spurs in the league could see them end a gameweek down in sixth as things stand at the moment. It is important that they return to form sooner rather than later, then, having won just two of their last six games and suffered defeats in their last two. Those back-to-back losses at the hands of Liverpool and Gent followed an 11-match unbeaten streak, and another defeat today would mark the first time they have lost three in a row under Pochettino.

One of the big concerns for Pochettino in recent matches will be their lack of attacking threat up front. There are rarely any problems with Spurs at the back nowadays, and they still boast the joint-best defensive record in the Premier League, but they are also the lowest scorers in the top five. They have also failed to score from open play since their fourth-round victory over Wycombe on January 28, a run of four games in which their only goal has come from the penalty spot.

An even bigger danger to Tottenham's hopes on all fronts this season is their away form, which is surprisingly poor considering their lofty league position. Spurs have won just two of their last 14 away outings across all competitions, drawing six and losing six in that time - a run of form which has seen them eliminated from the EFL Cup, the Champions League, arguably the Premier League title race and possibly the Europa League, with a one-goal deficit to make up in the return leg against Gent next week. They are winless on the road since New Year's Day and have failed to even score in their last three.

Spurs may feel somewhat fortunate to even still be in this competition having scraped past League Two side Wycombe in the last round, coming from 2-0 down and then 3-2 down to nick a 4-3 victory with goals in the 89th and 97th minutes. It was more straightforward against Aston Villa in the third round as Spurs ran out 2-0 winners, continue their good record against lower league opposition in this competition. Spurs have progressed from 12 of their last 13 FA Cup ties against teams from a lower division, with the exception coming against Leeds in 2012-13.

However, when it comes to FA Cup London derbies, Spurs have not fared quite as well. They have been knocked out of this competition on each of the last four occasions they have come up against a fellow capital outfit, with Fulham themselves sparking that run in 2011. Chelsea ended a run to the semi-finals a year later - the last time Spurs made it past the fifth round in this competition - while Arsenal and Crystal Palace have also knocked Tottenham out in recent years.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes away from kickoff in this match, which means that it is time for a prediction! This is a tough one to call, with Tottenham's strong XI a clear signal of intent from Pochettino. However, it is very hard to ignore their recent away form and, with Fulham in good nick here at Craven Cottage, I can see the hosts getting something out of this one. I'll go for a 1-1 draw.

Spurs have dominated the recent meetings between these two sides, winning five of the last six and nine of the last 14, with only two defeat in that time. The most recent clash came at White Hart Lane in April 2014, with Kane was amongst the scorers in a 3-1 victory for Spurs.

Spurs have also won on their last three visits to Craven Cottage, the most recent of which came in December 2013 when Vlad Chiriches and Lewis Holtby (remember them?) were on the scoresheet for the away side. However, the most recent FA Cup meeting between these two sides went the way of Fulham in spectacular fashion as they thrashed Tottenham 4-0 - their biggest ever victory in this fixture.

Danny Murphy scored two penalties against his former club in that match, while Hangeland and Dembele - who is now a Tottenham player, of course - were also on the scoresheet. That result is very much the exception to the rule in previous FA Cup games between these two sides though, with Spurs having won the other five meetings in this competition.

Right, we're almost ready to go here! The players are on their way out for this FA Cup London derby as Fulham look to become the latest team to pull off an upset in this year's competition.

KICKOFF: Here we go then! Tottenham get us underway at Craven Cottage!

Straight away it is clear to see that Fulham will be looking to get in the faces of Tottenham today. They are looking to press quickly and have started the game with a good energy about them.

CHANCE! The first chance of the day falls the way of Spurs, and it is a good one too. Kane and Alli both win headers in quick succession to put the ball into the path of Eriksen, who finds himself through on goal. Malone comes across to put him under pressure, but it needs Bettinelli to turn the poked effort wide of the target.

CLOSE! Spurs are beginning to apply some early pressure now. Fulham are unable to clear their lines during a period of nervous and messy defending, and the ball eventually falls to Alli, who drags his finish just past the post from the edge of the area.

This is shaping up to be a good, exciting game already. Fulham are not giving Spurs a moment on the ball, but the visitors are adept at harrying the opposition themselves and are giving as good as they get so far. It has all been a bit frantic and, at times, messy but the match is being played at a really good tempo.

The story of the game so far has been plenty of endeavour and energy from the hosts, but more quality from the visitors. Tottenham are not letting themselves be intimidated by Fulham's in-your-face style.

SHOT! Kebano chases down a long ball over the top despite Alderweireld looking like he has it under control, and he ends up forcing a mistake and winning a corner. The delivery is poor but only cleared as far as Malone, who makes his way into shooting position before firing an effort a few yards wide.

Painful one for Cairney here as he is caught in the face by the boot of Wanyama. It was entirely accidental, but the Fulham midfielder was caught flush in the chops and clearly felt it.

The movement of the Tottenham attackers is causing Fulham some problems, with their quick passing often catching the defence out. The hosts have avoided any damage so far, but it will a concern for Jokanovic.

Just call me Nostradamus. Spurs take the lead through their skipper for the day Harry Kane after some good work down the right. Trippier plays the ball behind Malone for Eriksen, who in turn caresses a lovely cross into the middle. Kane is at full stretch to connect with it and is able to steer it past the keeper.

CHANCE! Almost a second in as many minutes for Spurs, who are really starting to purr now. A ball over the top finds Alli the wrong side of the defence, and the England man brings it down with a Bergkamp-esque first touch. However, it is his second touch which lets him down as he fails to properly connect with a left-footed effort, making it easy for Bettinelli to collect.

The decision to start him has paid off for Pochettino already...

7 - Harry Kane has netted seven goals in nine appearances for Spurs in 2017. Productive. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 19, 2017

CHANCE! Almost a gift for Fulham to get back into this match! It is dreadful from Vorm as, under pressure, he gives the ball straight to Cairney. The Fulham man goes for goal first time, but Vorm reacts well to make the save and atone for his initial error. That is a let-off for the visitors.

Brilliant football from Spurs as they fly down the right flank as well. Winks kickstarts the move with a lovely touch in midfield before working it out to Trippier via Eriksen. Winks continues his run into the box, but the cross is just behind him and his header is easily collected by the keeper.

Another chance for Spurs to threaten here as Eriksen lines up a free kick in shooting range after a foul on Trippier...

...not Eriksen's best as he fires the ball into the wall before firing a bouncing follow-up wide of the mark.

CHANCE! Eriksen has a better chance moments later after Cairney gifted Spurs the ball in a dangerous position. Kane picks it up and lays it into the path of Eriksen, but his first touch sees the angle go against him and he can only blaze it over the crossbar.

Another good Kane stat for you. He loves these London derbies!

18 - Harry Kane has now scored 18 goals in his last 22 London derbies in all competitions. Capitalised. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 19, 2017

Spurs have the ball in the back of the net again as Winks buries a rebound into the bottom corner after Bettinelli had denied Kane, who was in an offside position. Correct call from the officials.

Again Spurs come forward as Son plays the ball inside for Alli, who in turn threads it through for Kane. The striker is under pressure, though, and can only blaze his shot well off target having created a yard to shoot.

Fulham started this game full of optimism and energy, but they have been comfortably second best in this one. Spurs are very much on top and it seems like only a matter of time before they double their lead.

Tottenham will really want that second goal, and they deserve it too. They have played some really nice football and it is evident that there is a gulf in class between the two teams - Spurs just need that to be more obvious in the scoreline.

It will be interesting to see whether Jokanovic changes anything at half time, because Fulham can't keep allowing Spurs to dictate matters like they have been doing. Alli and Eriksen have been afforded too much space to pull the strings.

Nothing to report in terms of chances in the last 10 minutes or so, but Spurs are still in control. They just seem to have slowed things down, though, which is making things a little easier for Fulham.

Free kick for Spurs in a good crossing position, but for once Eriksen's delivery lets him down and the ball is cleared by the first man.

Eriksen has a chance to atone for that when Spurs win a corner, but he goes short and the resulting delivery is easily dealt with by Fulham, who then force the visitors all the way back to the keeper. Better from the hosts.

Very important piece of defending from Johansen to spare the blushes of his keeper. Much like Vorm earlier, Bettinelli gives the ball straight to Kane on the edge of the area, but Johansen is alert and gets a foot in before Kane can take advantage.

Fulham just cannot get out at the moment. Spurs are camped in their half and, when Fulham do get the ball back, they lose it again within seconds. Kebano is too isolated up front and it is all far too easy for the Premier League side.

There will be a minimum of two minutes added time at the end of this first half.

SHOT! A rare shooting chance for Fulham, who threaten to go into the break all square. Vertonghen's error gifts the ball to Kebano, who gives it to Aluko and races forward towards the box. Vertonghen does well to defend against Aluko, but the eventual cross deflects into the path of Johansen, who fires a volley just wide.

SAVE! Much better from Fulham at the end of this half. Kebano is just short of connecting with a cross into the box before Aluko picks it up at the back post and fires his effort straight at the keeper.

The referee blows for half time, then, and it is Tottenham who deservedly go into the break with the lead. They have been on top for the vast majority of the match so far, but Fulham ended the half strongly and may just be buoyed by that. Something does need to change, though, as Spurs were far too comfortable for the most part.

The only goal of the game so far came from Harry Kane in the 16th minute, with the striker something of a surprise inclusion in the first place. Trippier lifted the ball over the defence for Eriksen, who in turn lifted a cross into the middle. Kane needed to be at full stretch to reach it, but was able to turn it past Bettinelli.

If anything, Slavisa Jokanovic will be relatively pleased that the deficit is still only one goal as his side have been firmly second best. There have been chances for Eriksen and Alli to extend Tottenham's advantage, and Pochettino will want a second to give themselves a cushion. They deserve to be more than a goal ahead, but as things stand Fulham are very much still in the game.

Fulham's chances have been few and far between, with Malone dragging one shot a few yards wide and Cairney being denied by Vorm following a mistake by the Tottenham keeper. The hosts had a flourish in stoppage time too, with Johansen firing just wide before Aluko drew another stop from Vorm.

KICKOFF: Fulham get us back underway at Craven Cottage. No changes for either side.

It's been a bit better from Fulham in the opening stages of the this second half, but they again they also made a bright start to the first before fading so it remains to be seen whether they will be able to keep this up.

SAVE! Trippier once again finds himself in acres of space down the right flank before cutting a pass inside for Eriksen, but the Dane doesn't have much space to work with and his shot is deflected into the arms of the keeper.

It is two for Tottenham and two for Kane, and that may well be game over here at Craven Cottage. Again it comes down the right flank, with Trippier and Eriksen linking up before the latter plays the cross in for Kane to steer past Bettinelli from close range - the same combination as the first goal. Fulham want offside and my initial reaction was that it looked to be, but the linesman keeps his flag down.

Having now seen the replay of that goal, it looks like a very good call from the official. It was so tight, but Ream's back foot just looked to be playing the Tottenham skipper onside.

Marauding from from Davies as he skips past a couple of players before being brought down. Free kick in Christian Eriksen territory...

Kane wanted that free kick, and he might get the next one as Eriksen fires another straight into the wall.

Almost another chance for Kane as he bundles his way through a couple of challenges, with Kalas and Odoi both unable to stop him. However, he is unable to keep control of it and it rolls into the arms of the keeper.

FULHAM SUB: The first change of the day sees Ryan Sessegnon replace Ayite. Sessegnon was born in the year 2000, in case you didn't already feel old.

CHANCE! It should be a third for Spurs, and once again it is Eriksen who pulls the strings. It is great football from Spurs again and Eriksen clips his cross to Alli at the back post. He looks set to just tap it in at the back post, despite the ball being at an awkward height, but the defender does just enough to put him off.

Almost a chance for Fulham as a corner goes all the way through to Kalas, but he scuffs his finish and it is cleared before it can trouble Vorm.

It has been better from Fulham in the last few minutes, with the introduction of Sessegnon seemingly giving them a boost. It is a long way back for the home side, though.

Sessegnon's introduction has forced Trippier to think twice about going forward, which is not something he has had to do much today. That right flank is where Tottenham's best attacks have come from, so his presence is making things more difficult for the visitors.

FULHAM SUB: Another change for the home side as Aluko departs to be replaced by Gohi Cyriac.

Very good defending from McDonald to atone for his own error, losing the ball in midfield before racing back to make a last-gasp challenge on a marauding Eriksen. The challenge almost diverts the ball into the path of Alli, but Bettinelli bravely gets down to smother it.

CHANCE! Almost the hat-trick for Kane as Alli lifts the ball into the path of his international teammate. Kane takes it down but is once again at full stretch as he looks to lift the ball over the keeper, only to see it drop wide of the post.

CHANCE! Fulham have not given up on this one yet. One goal could chance things, and they very nearly get it here as McDonald attacks the ball really well from a corner. He gets in front of Wanyama, but then cannot keep his header down.

Fulham have been much better since Tottenham's second goal and it is a lot easier to see them score one of their own now that it has been for much of the match. However, with less than 20 minutes left it could be too little too late for the Cottagers.

There is the death knell for any remaining Fulham hopes. Harry Kane completes his hat-trick, and it is that trio of Eriksen, Alli and Kane who cut Fulham open once again. Alli plays the final ball into the path of Kane, who has time to look across to the linesman before firing his finish past the keeper. Clinical stuff from the England man.

FULHAM SUB: Fulham make a change in the immediate aftermath of that goal, with Scott Parker coming on against his former club in place of McDonald.

TOTTENHAM SUB: Hat-trick hero Harry Kane's job is done for the afternoon as he is replaced by Moussa Sissoko in Tottenham's first change.

SHOT! Eriksen tries to add a goal to his two assists with a curling effort towards the bottom corner, but it ends up a couple of yards wide of the target.

TOTTENHAM SUB: Another Spurs change as Winks is replaced by Mousa Sissoko, who comes on to face his former club.

Any goal would be a consolation for Fulham at this stage, but they have a chance to threaten here with a free kick in a good crossing position...

The hosts very nearly get that consolation too! It would have been a popular goal as well as Parker meets the free kick with a header from close range, but Vorm makes a good save and the flag was correctly raised for offside anyway.

This has been a very good, professional performance from Spurs today. This had the potential to be a real banana skin considering their recent results, particularly away from home, but they have done exactly what they needed to do. Kudos to Pochettino for his decision to name a strong side.

TOTTENHAM SUB: A third and final change for the visitors sees Alli replaced by Josh Onomah.

This has been so comfortable for Tottenham today and the three-goal margin does not flatter them at all. The gulf in class between the two sides has been clear to see and it has never looked like Fulham could become the latest giant-killers today.

SAVE! Almost a fourth for Spurs as Sissoko breaks down the right flank and puts what looks like a mis-hit cross towards the top corner which Bettinelli has to claw away.

There will be a minimum of three minutes added time at the end of this match.

CHANCES! Tottenham are still looking for that fourth goal and they have two chances in quick succession to get it here. First Wanyama skips into shooting space before drilling a low strike straight at the keeper before Son gets an unmarked header all wrong at the back post.

A job well done for Spurs today as they bounce back from consecutive defeats with a comfortable win in a tricky-looking FA Cup tie. Harry Kane was the star of the show with a hat-trick, but Pochettino's decision to start a strong side rather than just one or two stars was fully justified as the likes of Eriksen and Alli were also brilliant through. Spurs are in the hat for the quarter-finals, and after this performance there won't be many teams hoping they draw them.

Right, that is all we have time for I'm afraid! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's match as hat-trick hero Harry Kane fires Spurs into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at the expense of Fulham. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction too. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!