In a tense Premier League showdown at Craven Cottage, Manchester United edged out Fulham with a narrow 1-0 victory, thanks to a decisive goal from Lisandro Martínez. The Argentine defender’s moment of brilliance not only secured all three points for Amorims’s side but also provided a much-needed boost after a rocky season so far.
A Tight Battle in West London
The atmosphere at Craven Cottage was electric, with Fulham looking to capitalize on their home advantage. Marco Silva’s men, known for their resilience and quick transitions, pressed United early, testing the visitors’ defense with a series of probing attacks. However, Manchester United’s backline, led by Martínez and Maguire, held firm, frustrating Fulham’s attempts to find an early breakthrough.
The first half was characterized by a midfield battle, with neither side managing to dominate possession. Fulham’s Wilson and Berge were relentless in their pressing, while Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte tried to unlock the hosts’ defense with clever passes. Despite some half-chances, both teams went into the break level, with the scoreline remaining 0-0.
Lisandro’s Moment of Glory
The second half saw Manchester United shift gears, showing more urgency in their attack. Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho threatened down the flanks, keeping Fulham’s defenders on their toes.
Out of nowhere, the visitors grabbed the lead with 78 minutes on the clock thanks to Lisandro Martinez, who was alert to intercept a poor clearance before sending a heavily deflected shot from range in off the underside of the crossbar via Bernd Leno’s fingertips.
To that point, that was the Red Devils’ only attempt on target, but the travelling fans weren’t interested as they sang Ruben Amorim’s name.
Fulham’s Late Push Falls Short
A largely uneventful match almost had a moment of drama at the death as substitute Toby Collyer made himself a hero, clearing Joachim Andersen’s header off the line, shortly before Rodrigo Muniz wasted two presentable opportunities to test Onana.
A stoppage-time disallowed goal from Amad Diallo ultimately proved immaterial as United saw out a fourth win in five games across all competitions.
The victory somewhat lifts the mood and takes Amorim’s side to 12th in the PL standings, four points off Fulham, who remain inside the top half in 10th place
Man of the Match: Lisandro Martínez
Martínez’s performance was nothing short of stellar. Not only did he score the game’s only goal, but his defensive contributions were crucial in keeping Fulham at bay. His leadership and composure have made him an indispensable part of United’s squad, and tonight’s display further cemented his status as a fan favorite.
As the final whistle blew at Craven Cottage, the message was clear: Lisandro Martínez had saved United, delivering a performance that will be remembered for weeks to come.