Match Report
Fulham (1) 1-2 (1) Manchester United
Premier League Match Day 18 2021 at Craven Cottage
Wednesday 20th January 2021 KO: 20:15
Referee:
Martin Atkinson (West Yorkshire)
Live on BT Sports
|
Fulham got off to the perfect start inside five minutes as Lookman capitalised on non-existent United defending to latch onto Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa's lofted pass before clinically rifling the opener past David de Gea.
United were aggrieved not to be handed the chance to respond swiftly, with Loftus-Cheek's challenge on Fred in the area going unpunished by referee Martin Atkinson and VAR.
It took United 20 minutes to get talisman Bruno Fernandes into the game, but when they did, they instantly arose from another slow start on the road.
Moments after the Portuguese unsettled the Fulham defence with a 20-yard drive which rattled the post, his teasing cross from the left was spilled by goalkeeper Alphonse Areola at the feet of Cavani, who converted the rebound to haul United level.
United went in search of a quick-fire second as Fernandes tried his luck from a similar distance, but Areola atoned for his earlier error with a fine fingertip save around the post, before the unmarked Harry Maguire headed a gilt-edged opportunity wide from a corner.
Fulham hadn't lost a game during Parker's reign in which they had scored the first goal, and they should have restored their lead within seven minutes of the restart when Loftus-Cheek squared for Lookman, but he drilled a shot straight at De Gea.
| Match Stats |
Fulham |
Manchester United |
| Goals |
(1) 1 |
2 (1) |
|
| Scorers |
Lookman 5 |
Cavani 21 |
|
|
Pogba 65 |
|
| Goal attempts |
12 |
15 |
| On target |
5 |
5 |
| Shooting Accuracy |
0% |
0% |
| Possession |
38% |
62% |
| Passes Success |
81% |
85% |
| Corners |
2 |
8 |
| Tackles Success
| 73% |
61% |
| Saves |
3 |
4 |
| Fouls |
6 |
10 |
| Offsides |
1 |
2 |
| Yellows |
3 |
1 |
| Reds |
0 |
0 |
| source: SkySports |
With United in need of inspiration up stepped Pogba with another crucial away goal as he glided in off the right flank onto his left foot and unleashed an unstoppable effort which flashed past Areola into the top corner.
United could have put the game to bed on 63 minutes but another brilliant save from Areola preserved Cavani's towering header from opening up a two-goal cushion.
United's one-goal lead grew increasingly perilous as the game went on but Loftus-Cheek failed to salvage a point for the hosts as he was thwarted by De Gea before blazing his second presentable chance over.
With seconds remaining, substitute Mitrovic looked to have headed a late Fulham equaliser only for his effort to deflect wide off Bailly, and United escaped with their victory intact as they returned to the Premier League summit.
Paul Pogba produced another moment of magic as Manchester United came from behind on the road again to move top of the Premier League with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Fulham.
Pogba's spectacular left-footed drive midway through the second half claimed a vital three points that saw Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side reclaim top spot from rivals Manchester City - but they were pushed all the way at Craven Cottage.
United, notorious slow starters on the road, were behind inside five minutes when Ademola Lookman ruthlessly exploited a chasm in the visiting defence to hand Scott Parker's side the lead and needed Edinson Cavani's fourth away goal of the season to restore parity.
After Pogba's stunner Fulham threw everything at United in search of an equaliser but fell agonisingly short as Ruben Loftus-Cheek squandered two second-half chances before substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic saw a last-gasp header deflect inches wide off Eric Bailly.
The victory sees United equal the club-record 17-game unbeaten away run set by the 1999 Treble-winning side and restores their two-point lead at the top of the table ahead of City and Leicester. Fulham remain third from bottom, four points from safety, after a 10th defeat of the season.
What's next?
Fulham host Burnley in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday at 2.30pm before travelling to Brighton in the Premier League on Wednesday at 7.30pm.
United host Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday at 5pm before entertaining Sheffield United in the Premier League on Wednesday at 8.15pm.
Fulham: Areola, Aina (Mitrovic 83), Andersen, Adarabioyo, Tete, Reed, Anguissa (Lemina 79), Bryan, Loftus-Cheek, Cavaleiro (Kamara 70), Lookman
Unused substitutes: Rodak, Hector, Odoi, Kebano, Ream, Onomah,
Goals:
Lookman 5 ( Fulham get the first goal! Maybe United's heads are still at Anfield, it's been all Fulham in midfield and they slice through United's backline. Angussia is given far too much time in midfield and he clips a wonderful ball over Bailly for Lookman. He's in so much space and looks offside but Wan-Bissaka is playing him on. Lookman sprints through on goal and fires a clever finish into the bottom corner.)
Booked: Aina (69,f), Bryan (62,f), Zambo Anguissa (12,f)
Manchester United,: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw, Fred, Pogba, Greenwood (Rashford 85), Fernandes (Matic 90+4), Martial (McTominay 85), Cavani
Unused substitutes: Henderson, Mata, Telles, Van de Beek, Tuanzebe, James
Goals:
Cavani 21 (Fernandes pulls into space and smacks a swerving effort that smacks the inside of the post. Fred keeps the attack alive and feeds Fernandes back on the left. His cross is a dangerous one which is spilled by Areola into the path of Cavani, who prods it home from close range.)
Pogba 65 (With Fulham defending quite deep, United have been finding pockets outside the area. Pogba moves in from the right and packs a real punch with a left-foot drive that Areola gets nowhere near. It flies into the corner of the net.)
Booked: Pogba (10,f),
Referee:
Martin Atkinson(West Yorkshire)
Attendance: 0