Man Utd 3-2 Fulham: Sesko scores late winner as Devils return to EPL top four

Benjamin Šeško scored a 94th-minute winner as Manchester United staved off a spirited Fulham comeback to run out 3-2 winners at Old Trafford and return to the Premier League top four.

Match Report

Old Trafford has been a far happier place in recent weeks and that was reflected in a start filled with intent, as Amad Diallo’s shot and a Harry Maguire header were saved before Bryan Mbeumo almost got behind but was denied by Jorge Cuenca. Fulham have been in fine form of their own, though, and they worked Senne Lammens with an instinctive Joachim Andersen attempt before Lisandro Martínez blocked Samuel Chukwueze’s shot.

There was an agonising wait for Fulham as Cuenca was initially adjudged to have conceded a penalty for his challenge on Matheus Cunha, but it made no difference that a free-kick was  eventually rewarded as Casemiro rose to head home Bruno Fernandes’ delivery in the 20th minute. The Red Devils were fairly comfortable after taking the lead with Chukwueze unable to truly stretch Lammens despite looking bright, while Harry Wilson was crowded out in the home box and saw his shot blocked. Alex Iwobi then hit a strike from range that Lammens got down to save, and Sander Berge deflected Amad’s shot behind moments before the break.

The Red Devils’ promise continued into the second half with Diogo Dalot sliding the ball through for an Mbeumo attempt that Bernd Leno rushed out to save. Lammens still had to react well to deny a Wilson free-kick, but the hosts doubled their lead in the 56th minute when Casemiro slid the ball through for Cunha to emphatically smash it past Leno. Fulham thought they had struck back when the hosts couldn’t clear after Raúl Jiménez’s free-kick hit the wall, but Cuenca’s goal was ruled out due to Chukwueze being marginally offside.

Cunha then floated an effort over Leno’s crossbar with his last contribution before his replacement Benjamin Šeško headed against the post. The tide was then turned when Harry Maguire fouled Raúl Jiménez for a penalty that the striker converted. Then, in the 92nd minute, Kevin looked to have completed the visitors’ comeback when he played a one-two with Ryan Sessegnon before curling a stunning strike into the top corner. All that did was set the scene for Old Trafford to erupt when Šeško struck mere moments later, picking out the top corner after collecting Fernandes’ pass to earn United’s third consecutive victory as they reclaimed fourth place in the PL table, while also inflicting the second defeat from Fulham’s last three matches.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

5' Leno denies Amad with a STINGING shot

10' Mbeumo through, taken down in the area, but no penalty given

13' Lammens makes a big save!

18' VAR overturns the decision. Free kick instead after Cunha was pulled back

19' Casemiro leaps high puts Man Utd ahead against Fulham!! Man Utd 1-0 Fulham

29' Mainoo so close to find Fernandes through on goal

40' Lammens denies Iwobi from range

42' Yellow Card! Andersen booked

49' Brilliant play from Dalot and Mbeumo is denied

52' Really important clearance inside the box

56' GOAL! No look pass from Casemiro! Man Utd 2-0 Fulham (Matheus Cunha)

65' DISALLOWED! Offside. It remains 2-0

73' Highlight from Man Utd vs Fulham

75' Šeško hits the post just a minute after coming on

82' Lammens makes a great save!

85' Penalty Goal! Man Utd 2-1 Fulham (Raúl Jiménez)

91' GOAL! Man Utd 2-2 Fulham (Kevin)

Line-ups

Man Utd XI: Casemiro, Maguire, Luke Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, Dalot, Lisandro Martinez, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Senne Lammens, Amad Diallo Traore, Mainoo

Subs: Mazraoui, Altay Bayındır, Ugarte, Malacia, Zirkzee, Benjamin Sesko, Yoro, Shea Lacey, Ayden Heaven

Fulham XI: Leno, Jimenez, Andersen, Iwobi, Castagne, Harry Wilson, Berge, Antonee Robinson, Chukwueze, Smith Rowe, Jorge Cuenca

Subs: Tom Cairney, Benjamin Lecomte, Tete, Harrison Reed, Sessegnon, Calvin Bassey, Kevin, Jonah Kusi-Asare, Josh King