26 January 2025
Fulham 0 Man Utd 1
Marco Silva’s side welcomed Man Utd to Craven Cottage. Before a ball was even kicked, Fulham started the game seven points ahead of the Red Devils. If you had offered any of their fans this before the start of the season, they would have ripped your arm off. However, this is the worst side the Manchester club had ever had, according to their new manager.
As the visitors locked arms for a pre-match huddle, it was the most solid they had looked all season. Sadly it had to end as they returned to their respective positions for the start of the match. It has now got to the stage where even Rio Ferdinand has stopped exclaiming ‘we’re back’ after a single sketchy win. This team were not even a shadow of their former selves.
The hosts created the first chance of the game when Jimenez won a header to flick it into the path of Smith Rowe. He was challenged by two United defenders and a goalkeeper of sorts, who collectively did enough to put him off as his shot went well wide of the target. It showed Silva’s side just how easy it was to get in behind this Red Devils’ defence however.
Robinson made a good run down the left, finding himself in plenty of space to time his cross. He picked out Jimenez in the box but his first touch was heavy, taking him away from goal. The Mexican tried a first-time shot but was off balance and sliced his effort well wide of the target. The Cottagers were starting to take control of the game.
Amorim’s side had their first chance to load the penalty area when Ugarte won a free kick out wide. As the ball was played into the box, de Ligt got a header away but it was a simple save for Leno. The replay showed that the Dutchman’s header was going nowhere near the goal before it took a kind deflection off a Fulham defender.
It was a game of very few chances in the first-half. This was probably the only part of London where nothing was going on at this moment in time, quite literally. Gianni Infantino was in the crowd for this game, unknown why the FIFA president had decided to make an appearance. Judging by some of their crazy choices of late, maybe he was planning on holding a World Cup in West London.
There seemed to be more of an urge to go forward in the visitors after the interval. Amazing how a tirade of abuse from a Portuguese man who hates every single one of you can inspire some people. Garnacho played it to Mazraoui, who was scythed down just outside the box. The referee immediately awarded Man Utd a free-kick in a dangerous position.
Fernandes stood over it, confident he could give his side the lead. As the wall jumped as he neared the ball, he passed his effort underneath them. It narrowly missed the near post as Leno scrambled across his goal. Fulham might be employing that infamous doorstop the next time they face a chance in a similar position.
Silva’s side had their first glimpse of goal as the ball broke to Traore on the edge of the box. Every Fulham fan knows now, whatever Adama does, he only has two settings. Absolute world class or garbage. He hit a first time shot and sadly for the hosts it resembled something you would usually traipse out with your recycling.
He is a frustrating player the former Wolves man as there is definitely a potentially brilliant player in there, he just struggles to get out due to the weightlifter frame that imprisons him in Adama. His shot was always rising in this instance and causing Onana no problems, which takes some doing as most things cause the calamity keeper troubles.
Afterwards Martinez started having a go at Traore as he felt they should have put the ball out as Ugarte was injured. What a hilarious sight. The smallest central defender in the galaxy being shoved by a man who looks like he has to consume two Lisandro’s a day just to maintain his shape. If only he spent as much time working on his shooting as he does on ‘chest day’.
Garnacho then got to the byline and looked to cut the ball back to Collyer but he sold him short and Berge got a toe to it to intercept. It broke to Martinez outside the box, who took one touch to control it before trying a shot from distance. It took a huge deflection off a Fulham player, ballooned up over Leno and into the back of the net.
It was an extremely lucky goal, not that Man Utd nor their fans were complaining. With little over ten minutes remaining the visitors had taken the lead. The Cottagers had to throw caution to the wind now to try and get something from the game. They almost did from a corner when Andersen’s header had Onana beaten, only to see Collyer clear it off the line.
Man Utd held on for all three points. It may have been a scrappy win but they will take all they can get. In the post-match media duties, when asked about Rashford, Amorim said he would prefer to play one of his 60-year-old coaches than someone who makes no effort in training at all. Neither party would be disappointed to see the striker leave in the transfer window it seems.
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