Fulham manager Jean Tigana conceded his charges had found out the hard way how unforgiving the top flight is after leading twice at Old Trafford and falling to a 3-2 defeat earlier this afternoon.
Louis Saha twice put the newly-promoted Whites ahead, but Fulham eventually lost a five-goal thriller 3-2 after Ruud van Nistelrooy fired the winner past Edwin van der Sar.
Tigana said after the final whistle:
“For us today is a good lesson because we need to score more and defend well. It’s possible to play at this level but we need to score when we have the chances and to progress together. I am never pleased when I lose. Our next two games are important. My players are very tired today – we need a good recovery.”
