Lisandro Martinez’s Deflected Shot Secures United’s Win at Fulham
Lisandro Martinez’s wickedly deflected shot and Toby Collyer’s 89th-minute header off the line earned Manchester United a rare Premier League win under Ruben Amorim. The 1-0 victory at Fulham vs Man United propelled United up to 12th in the table.
The game seemed destined for a dull stalemate, with United getting bodies behind the ball and playing conservatively. They didn’t take a shot until the 42nd minute. The combined total of just 13 shots from both teams was the lowest in a Premier League match this season.
However, with 12 minutes remaining, Martinez’s strike from the edge of the box deflected off Sasa Lukic and dropped under the bar, brushing Bernd Leno’s fingertips on its way through. It was United’s first shot on target. Controversy also surrounded the goalscorer, as Martinez had escaped punishment earlier in the game for a two-footed challenge on Adama Traore.
United’s victory was also largely reliant on Collyer, who dropped back to head Joachim Andersen’s attempt off the line as time ticked away. The young substitute was mobbed by his teammates as they celebrated. Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz’s celebrations were also cut short by a VAR offside call.
Amorim had emphasized before the match that the result mattered more than the performance, and he must have been relieved to achieve his fourth Premier League win in 12 attempts, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe watching at Craven Cottage. The performance, however, left much to be desired.
“Attack, attack, attack!” chanted the travelling fans as United dawdled on the ball in the first half, seemingly happy to take time out of the game. Their confidence seemed fragile, given they had lost six of their last nine league matches. However, these three points will lift the mood for now.
As for Fulham, they’ll feel hard done by. Their first-half dominance, led by Alex Iwobi and Raul Jimenez, had evaporated by the time United broke the deadlock. Despite their recent good form, scoring twice in each of their last five league games, they couldn’t force a late equalizer. Marco Silva’s side remains in 10th.
Amorim: Not a Great Performance, But We Fought for the Win
Man United boss Ruben Amorim said:
“It’s a good day for us. We can see that it wasn’t a great performance, but we fought for the win. We gave the team time to understand the game and had that bit of luck you sometimes need to win a match. A clean sheet. Let’s take this feeling into the next game.”
Silva: “We Didn’t Deserve to Lose”
Fulham boss Marco Silva said:
“It was cruel for us, the result. In the first half, we controlled the game and created enough chances to score. I don’t recall one dangerous moment from them during the first half. The second half was more balanced, but we had a really unlucky goal. We reacted well and pushed forward, but despite our efforts, the result wasn’t what we deserved from the game.”
Analysis: United’s Winning Feeling, But Problems Persist
Amorim had stressed the importance of the result over performance before Fulham vs Man United and hoped that this win would give his side momentum.
However, United’s cautious play was evident throughout the match, as they defended in numbers and took the safe option when in possession. Fulham had been listed as favorites, but United played like the underdogs.
This result doesn’t mask the ongoing problems Amorim must address. He noted the lack of penetration in the final third, and questions remain about both Hojlund and Zirkzee’s roles. Alejandro Garnacho, possibly up for sale before the transfer deadline, looked the most likely to create something in an otherwise uninspiring attack. Fulham almost exposed United’s weaknesses, especially from set-pieces.
Yet, with upcoming matches in the Europa League against Bucharest and home fixtures against Crystal Palace and Leicester in the FA Cup, United has a chance to build some positive momentum. The bigger picture, however, remains a work in progress.
