Man United vs Fulham

 

Manchester United were beaten 2-1 by Fulham on our return to Old Trafford after Alex Iwobi's late goal took all three points at the death.

Fulham did well and managed to convert their one chance from a corner when Kelvin Bassey rifled an effort into the roof of the net in the second half.

Harry Maguire put the Reds ahead when he converted a rebound effort after Bruno Fernandes' shot was palmed away by Bernd Leno.

With nine minutes of injury time, the Reds hunted down a second after scoring late Premier League winners on our last two visits to Craven Cottage.

However, this time the boot was on the other foot, as Iwobi fired past Andre Onana on target to secure maximum points for the visitors in stoppage time.

FIRST HALF - STALEMATE

In front of our fans at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hague's men looked to continue our fine form from the turn of the year by completing a league double at Fulham. Despite being on the road, it was the visitors who enjoyed the brighter start for both sides - although it would take around 15 minutes before the first real sight of a goal, with Iwobi widening the mark on two successive occasions.

Fulham continued their push for the opener, this time trying to create something from a corner. The set piece was whipped over the head of frontman Rodrigo Muniz, but his glancing effort was well met by Ona who got a big glove to clear it away. Sasa Lukic was closest to the rebound, but the ball wouldn't fall for him in front of the goal.

United gradually grew into the game, spurred on by our vocal supporters, as Alejandro Garnacho launched a signature curling effort from the left. Anthony Robinson looked to be reading the action well, moving quickly to meet a goalbound shot with his head.

Moments later, it was Diego Dalot's turn to go close to opening the scoring for the Reds. Our number 20 picked up a loose ball deep in the opposition's territory and, combined with a chorus of 'shoots' from the crowd, fired a powerful effort that rounded the Fulham post. In the minutes that followed our guests also hit the woodwork. Muniz shrugged off Victor Lindelof to make room for a shot, pinging the post as Onana connected to the spot.

One thing slightly open, it felt fitting that both sides would go close once again, but for the efforts of the goalkeepers at each end. Former Red Andreas Pereira's curling effort was parried by Onana, while Garnacho's strike from the left was palmed away by Bernd Leno to level things at the break.

SECOND HALF - LATE HAMMER BLOW

After finishing the half with real intent, both sides picked up where they left off for the second. Action would soon be halted, however, due to a clash of heads between Casemiro and Harrison Reid, the former eventually making way for Scott McTominay. As play resumed, it was the visitors who scored the first try of the second 45, when Robinson fired a ball into goal but teammate Andreas could not provide the finishing touch.

The traveling fans did not have to wait long for their side to convert their one chance, which came from a corner when Reid caught Onana at close range, our number 24 for the set-piece. Andreas' ball was played to Calvin Bassey, whose first effort was blocked, but he fired his second into the roof of the net, giving our keeper no chance.

Chasing the game, the Reds added a sense of urgency to our attacks with a series of moves, one of which gave Fernandes a glimpse of goal. Our number 8 showed great courage to make space on the edge of the area, but his final shot was comfortably saved by Leno.

Maguire came agonizingly close to pulling one back for the Reds when he rose to meet Christian Eriksen's teasing corner. His superb header, however, went over the crossbar from close range as our search for an equalizer continued.

Our number 5 was soon on the scoresheet though. Taking up a position further up the pitch, he held the ball up well before slotting it at the back post, Garnacho brought the ball down and eventually found Bruno on the edge of the area. Our captain watched as he rounded a corner, where Leno deflected it into the path of Maguire, who was alert enough to guide him home.

The pressure on the west Londoners' goal continued and Leno had to stay alert to beat away two efforts from Fernandes and Emad, who forced a corner from a dangerous situation.

Our efforts to get back on level terms were effectively ended a few minutes later, when Iwobi scored from substitute Adama Traore's break to take Fulham's three points into stoppage time, this time finishing off the post. Hoe, in the net, left. The Reds are empty-handed and deal a devastating blow to our pursuit of Champions League football.

MATCH DETAILS  

United: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Lindelof (Antony 90+9); Mainoo (Amad 80), Casemiro (McTominay 53); Garnacho, Fernandes, Forson (Eriksen 53); Rashford. 

Unused substitutes: Bayindir, Evans, Kambwala, Amrabat, Collyer. 

Goals: Maguire 90.

Bookings: Maguire 36, Fernandes 90+10.

Fulham: Leno; Castagne, Tosin, Bassey, Robinson; Reed (Traore 76), Lukic; Wilson (Diop 81), Pereira (Cairney 68), Iwobi; Muniz. 

Unused substitutes: Rodak, Tete, Broja, Ballo-Toure, Ream, Cordova-Reid. 

Goals: Bassey 65, Iwobi 90+6.

Bookings: Tosin 26, Andreas 42; Wilson 45+2,  Leno 90, Cairney 90+10.