New Delhi: Full time in London as Manchester United manage to edge past the hosts, Fulham. There were barely any chances for either of the two sides in the first half that had a lack of creativity but most of it was justified as the opposition defences were on top. However, despite the lack of goal threat, the Cottagers seemed to be much more threatening and would have kicked themselves for not going 1-0 early into the game. It was Jimenez who flicked the ball into Smith Rowe’s path before he took a touch inside the United box and attempted to lift it over Andre Onana, but he missed the post.
Soon after that chances, Iwobi effortlessly slipped inside, beating Dalot after cutting in from the left. He worked it onto his right foot in the penalty area and shot hard and low toward the goal, but Onana stopped it. At this point, United were producing no threat to Bernd Leno whatsoever, as Fulham kept of threatening and also had a much better possession. However, at half time the score remained deadlocked, with Fulham clearly being the better side.
However, it was a rather slow paced game and only four games had seen fewer shots in the first half in Premier League this season than this game where there were just six. With one shot in the first half, that was United’s fewest in the first half of a Premier League game since April 2024 vs Liverpool where they managed zero shots.
United steal it in the second half
Three points on the road for @ManUtd! 🛣️#FULMUN pic.twitter.com/tJOImaZMZ1
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 26, 2025
The second half started in similar fashion where there was a limp in creativity and forward going until the 78th minute of the game when Lisandro Martinez managed to put his side upfront. Martinez received it outside the box after Collyer couldn’t quite reach the pass from Gernacho, and the Argentine defender took a bold shot from a distance that bounced off Lukic and looped into the far corner putting United 1-0 up.
Last moments were probably the most exciting ones in this game when Fulham almost drew level in the 88th minute when Andreas Pereira, a former United player, played the corner kick to the front post, and Andersen flicked it on, beating Onana, but Collyer cleared it off the line! The teenage midfielder kept it out, but it was just inches away from going over the line. Soon after in the added time, Castagne won the header as Robinson played in a looping cross to the back post. Muniz received it at close range, but he launched his attempt into the stands behind the goal.
Amad found himself in a precarious situation after playing a one-two with Mainoo. He touched it, then shot into the back of the net as he thought that he had given United a 2-0 lead in the final moments. However, VAR came into play as the goal was ruled off as Amad was found venturing in an offside position. However, United won’t mind though as they managed to win the game 1-0 thanks to an outrageous effort from Martinez. Up next for Fulham is a tricky trip to Newcastle, while Manchester United will be hosting 12th placed Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Player of the match: Lisandro Martinez
Lisandro Martinez puts Man Utd ahead!
His deflected shot from outside of the box loops into the net!#FULMUN pic.twitter.com/x3fcLt6ZXC
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 26, 2025
Defensively sound and solid with keeping the Cottagers at bay while also creating havoc in their penalty box and eventually scoring a fantastic goal to win it for United, Lisandro Martinez had some night at London as he was clearly the player of the match. The Argentine butcher, as they like to call him, also had his moment against Liverpool a few weeks back, when he produced a number nine’s finish. However, that goal wasn’t the only good thing he did in tonight’s game as he was also a solid presence at the back, winning majority of his duels and also keeping a clean sheet against a team who have looked extremely comfortable going upfront in their recent games.
Manchester United secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage in their Premier League encounter as it was the Butcher who secured all three points for struggling United. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
