Talk about gone in sixty seconds. Ill-discipline cost Fulham, who had fashioned a flawless away performance to be in front and in complete command at Old Trafford with three quarters of the game gone, the chance of reaching their first FA Cup semi-final in more than two decades and prolonged Manchester United’s hopes of completing a Cup treble. Aleksandar Mitrovic had plundered his first goal since the turn of the year from a well-worked corner but the Serbian followed Willian and Marco Silva in receiving red cards after he completely lost the plot in confronting Chris Kavanagh after the referee had dismissed Fulham’s Brazilian winger for handball on the line.
Silva will have to take responsibility for starting the meltdown by being sent from the dugout even before Kavanagh had finished consulting the television screen for the game’s decisive moment. The Fulham head coach hurled a water bottle in the direction of the assistant referee in anticipation of Kavanagh’s initial awarding of a corner instead of a penalty after Willian had blocked Jadon Sancho’s goalbound shot with his hand. Silva was justifiably incensed that his side had seen two strong penalty shouts of their own ignored, but his own petulance is now becoming a problem.
His early exit here prompted the sort of meltdown more common with toddlers than professionals. Willian greeted his own dismissal with a rueful smile, having worked so hard to atone for his error in attempting a back-flicked clearance on the halfway line that allowed substitute Antony to storm away from a resolute Fulham rearguard, but Mitrovic – who had not been sent off in five years at Fulham – raged at the referee, touching the official on the shoulder as he exploded with anger and suddenly the Whites were down to nine. Losing their most potent forward for three games will probably spell the end of Fulham’s European hopes, but the striker is almost certain to get a longer ban.
The most infuriating aspect of this entirely avoidable course of events is that Fulham had produced the perfect response to two derby defeats and were dominating the only all Premier League tie of the quarter finals. They were confident in possession from the outset, with Mitrovic giving Harry Maguire the runaround, and David de Gea extended early by a looping header from Issa Diop. Silva seethed after his Serbian striker was shoved over in the area by Luke Shaw – perhaps setting the tone for what came later. Andreas Pereira roamed dangerously on his return to Old Trafford, creating space for Willian, who curler from distance drifted wide.
The returning Joao Palhinha added ballast to the Fulham midfield and United looked both unbalanced and uncertain by comparison. Their first chance owed much to the pace and vision of Marcus Rashford, who teed up Wout Weghorst, whose shot lacked any conviction. Fulham continued to take the game to their hosts with a wonderful Harrison Reed run requiring an intervention from little Lisandro Martinez. Bernd Leno and Tim Ream came to the Cotttagers’ rescue in quick successive before the break to deny Marcel Sabitzer and Scott McTominay, but that frenzied finish belied Fulham’s confidence throughout the first half.
The pattern remained the same after the interval. A deft flick from Willian after a peerless Palhinha tackle released Robinson into the United area but de Gea displayed all of his agility to push the American’s effort over the bar. The visitors kept up the pressure and a clever corner return broke the deadlock. Diop inventively helped Pereira’s set play to the back post where Mitrovic fired a finish into the net, sparking delirium amongst the travelling fans.
The home side showed little in response, with Bruno Fernandes whistling a shot wide from the edge of the box after intelligent play from Rashford, and Fulham would have doubled their lead without a sensational save from their nemesis in Hamburg thirteen years ago. United’s goalkeeper might not be as nimble as he was in those Atletico Madrid days before he still clawed away a goalbound Mitrovic header to keep his side in the tie.
Eric ten Haag took off replaced an anonymous McTominay with Anthony and the electric winger immediately added a new dimension to the United attack. He created the game’s turning point, racing along the right to reach a hopeful forward ball after Willian’s samba trick had failed to clear the danger. Antony spotted Sancho in a scoring position and the England winger stepped inside Harrison Reed before shooting towards goal, only for Willian to arrive on the goal-line in the nick of time. Or so everybody thought.
The replay revealed a clear handball – similar to the pair that Kavanagh failed to spot at West Ham last year or in allowing a scrambled equaliser for Preston last term – and Willian was off. Fulham fell apart from there, even before Fernandes had stroked home the penalty and raised the volume in a previously subdued stadium. Before the visitors could reorganise with nine men, Sabitzer had steered a shot beyond Leno after slick interplay between Shaw and Sancho to turn the tie around.
A shellshocked Fulham kept fighting to the end – although not literally – but their spirited Cup run had collapsed all around them. Fernandes fired in a third in the sixth minute of stoppage time to rub salt into the wounds but this was a missed opportunity to match any in Fulham’s 144-year history without a major honour.
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): de Gea; Win-Bissaka, Shaw, Martinez, Maguire; McTominay (Antony 58), Sabitzer; Sancho, Rashford (Fred 83), Fernandes; Weghorst. Subs (not used): Butland, Malacia, Dalot, Malacia, Pellistri, Elanga, Mainoo.
BOOKED: Maguire.
GOALS: Fernandes (pen 75, 96), Sabitzer (77).
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno, Teto (Cedric Soares 89), A. Robinson, Diop, Ream; Palhinha, Reed (James 89); Decordova-Reid (Solomon 89), Willian, Pereira (Cairney 89); Mitrovic. Subs (not used): Rodak, Adarabioyo, Lukic, Wilson, Vinicius.
BOOKED: Pereira, A. Robinson.
SENT OFF: Willian, Mitrovic.
GOALS: Mitrovic (50).
REFEREE: Chris Kavanagh (Greater Manchester).
ATTENDANCE: 73,511.
I’m staggered that a Manchester ref was appointed for this match and Cavanagh is clearly one of the worst referees. Biased against us? Maybe, I wouldn’t know but I don’t think there’s a general bias against us no matter how much it may look like it sometimes.
BUT.
There is no justification for Silva and Mitrovich’s behaviour and unless they take a long hard look at themselves and resolve that there should never again be a repeat performance no matter the provocation we’d be better off without them.
Silva simply has to keep his emotions under control when on the touchline and Mitro needs to stay away from refs at all times. As it is we’ll now be without him for most of the rest of the season.
For 70 minutes we were superb and to throw it away as we did is inexcusable.
I’ve been proud of everything Silva and Fulham have done this season. Especially proud of 75mins of that game.
We’ve all watched enough football to know the big clubs get different treatment. Anthony is allowed to kick out at Robinson. Maguire and Fernabdes, clear as day, were seen shouting at the linesman and referee and telling them to F off. United players are allowed to surround the ref. VAR doesn’t even look at the Shaw foul on Mitro. The referee, from Greater Manchester, should never have been given this fixture after the West Ham debacle. Unfortunately that’s the way the Prem and FA is run.
But….that isn’t going to change…and behaving like Silva and Mitro did yesterday was completely unacceptable. This has been coming for a while. Mitro spends most games remonstrating with the ref and rolling around and Silva’s passion has already boiled over this season. Silva sets the tone. He needs to take a look at himself here. Hes not helping the team. I care more about the damage they have both done to the reputation and image of the club than the result. I hope this morning they both reflect on that because today I’m not a proud supporter.
I do not agree that it is inevitable that the favouritism of the big clubs and the shockingly poor and inconsistent refereeing and use of VAR must persist.
Indeed, they must not persist.
Hardly surprising that it all leads to players and managers suffering red mist episodes. Easy to say that is unprofessional, which it is, but it is also understandable. Remove the provocation and that problem will diminish.
I don’t disagree but the penalty and Willian sending off was not down to this referee. Any other referee would have done the same and Mitro and Silva simply can’t behave the way they did. Inexcusable and, worse, wholly counter productive.
DUMB DUMB DUMB
This was an absolute DISGRACE, we were wining the game by a mile. Both Mitrovitc and Silva should make an apology to the fans immediately. Mitrovic’s actions almost certainly cost us that game. From hero to zero.
As for the ref he was typical of the low standard of officials in the country, albeit his red cards were warranted yesterday.
Fact, If William didn’t cut the ball with is hand, we would be 1-1 but still with eleven players…
I feel very proud of the players of what they have achieved in this remarkable season and how after yesterday how we can compete and match the bigger clubs and what a response after two London Derbies ,Man Utd were never in the game until the penalty you thought that Fulham were the Home team the FA and Referees committee and VAR have got to look at the Refs performance two blatant missed Penalties for Fulham The Bigger Clubs always seem to win thru no matter what happens = Even though the Referee was terrible and from Manchester why? what Marco and Mitro done was totally unacceptable Mitro has been around football a longtime you cannot touch the Referee,Ream is the Captain he should have intervened to pull Mitro Away The FA must look at this and a rule must come in that only the Captain can approach the Referee as in Rugby these players have kids watching there idols boys and girls players playing at grass roots level who are taught Fairness about this great game as much as we love them Marco and Mitro need to apologise to Fans especially those who travelled just another point ITV had no ex Fulham players on there so called pundits I was beginning to think Fulham never showed up and I was watching MUTV Man Utd this and ManUtd that Oh by he way there playing Fulham not really bothered let’s talk about ManUtd for nearly Half an Hour Usain Bolt why was he there how Biased was that it was great to hear Lee Dixon say how great Fulham were
Agree with most said, we were beating in Utd even with officials on there side. We should know we can’t get away with want the big clubs do, I do understand the frustration but Silva and Mitro we’re wrong . But how does Antony stay on pitch not even get yellow for kicking Robinson let alone VAR not even checking our pen appeals ,
Mitro and Silva have cost us the game and probably European hopes we could have won the match if they hadn’t exploded, they should both be ashamed and need to apologise to the fans it has ruined our season.
You know you’re in trouble when Boa is the one trying to calm everyone down! But seriously, I agree the team and supporters are owed a sincere apology from both Silva and Mitro. Not only did we throw away all the brilliant work we had done in the previous 75 minutes ( including Mitro’s best performance for Fulham since the World Cup ) but we have scuppered our chances of a top ten finish. Thank god we already have 39 points or we could well be back down through the trapdoor. Bournemouth away was never going to be easy but it looks a lot trickier now.
BTW Antony should have been booked before he even
kicked a ball. Let’s hope we don’t get Kavanagh again this season.
all the comments on the various sites seem to be aligned for a lengthy ban for Mitro and what he did was undeniably wrong ,,,,but the FA if they wish to show the public leadership why are they allowing Ivan Toney still to play in the league and represent his country after admitting to scandalous gambling infringements
Would they also need to review Fernandes shoving of the linesman and why he was allowed to play for United when they the FA had time to reflect and deliberate . They should have banned him following the game if MItro is given a ban it should be readdressed
We all hate losing, and the disappointment that follows. But this one really, really hurt, and i am old enough to know better. The reason: it was all self inflicted. We all love passion and commitment, but the implosion yesterday was embarrassing. Willian was excusable (even if I am still bewildered by the attempted back flick that missed releasing Anthony). But not Mitro and Silva. At the very least they both need to publicly apologise to us fans. But they should also personally refund the ticket price for all those fans who traveled (in great difficulty) yesterday (and i was not one). You learn a lot about someone’s character in adversity so the next couple of days will tell us a lot.
Willians was a straight red, no question.
The context to the Silva and Mitro reds is key here. Neither the ref (10 yards away) nor VAR spotted the Luke Shaw foul which was a clear foul on Mitro.
No grey areas, no unintentional incident. Shaw pushed Mitro in the back in the penalty area when jumping for a header on goal.
Nothing less than a yellow and a penalty would do for that. Have we heard from the FA on why they ‘missed’ this incident?
Bang on Michael I forgot about Toney this shows the FA has no bxxxs If Toney had played for There Darling Man Utd he would get a Knighthood they have VAR evidence on Fernandez and Toney has admitted his indiscretions so why have they not been banned especially Toney you watch nothing will be done to either of them So Mitro will be Ok his defence can be you did nothing to Fernandez so why me Toney much get a Season long ban Years ago Didn’t Swann Layne and Tony Kay get a life Ban in The-60s I remember my Dad telling me about it
Swann, Layne and Kay were banned for life and sent to prison for match fixing. Toney is charged with betting which is hardly the same thing and we don’t actually know what he did and therefore the seriousness of the breach.
None of which has any relevance to Mitrovich shoving a referee. He won’t go to prison or get a life ban but we won’t see much more of him this season and that will be his fault and not down to the FA, the EPL or referees who should not be touched no matter how inept.
Disgrace.
It was a huge upset to all of us.
Horrible behaviour. Unprofessional.
But anyway, I want to ask everyone here to try to understand Mitro and Silva. No excuses for sure. But these two guys are so committed to FFC, they are the dressing room leaders, they had a long and difficult season, they did so much for the club, the team plays so well, this season it was the best team performance for years thanks to them. They were so upset by this counter attack, by this red card to Willan. So they couldn’t keep their emotions. They are both humans after all. And they are committed, they love the club.
For sure, I also wait for the sincere apologies from both of them to the fans. They should apologize if they can call themselves Men and Professionals.
It was not the best page in Fulham’s history. Let’s turn it. And keep believing, keep being real Fulham. The Most friendly and The Most loveable football club.
Best wishes to all the fans here.
Agree with most comments esp. numbered 2,4,6. Disappointed doesn’t come close.
As regards the future, Mitro should have apologised.
Cannot touch the referee. The Manager must calm down!
We have 8 clubs to face in the bottom half. We must attack Leeds, B’mouth, S’ton Hammers and Forest, Palace and the rest. Palhinya, BDR, Solomon, Willian, Reed, Pereira, Wilson and TC can sort us out. It was a really good 65 minutes against a top [MU swearing at the linemen] team.
So we lost to Brentford and Arsenal. Nobody’s beaten these two teams – for three months, bar maybe one or two. COYW.
Gutted we threw it away. Had to hang my head in shame going to work yesterday. They deserve the bans. For me the squaring up is worse than the shove and neither are acceptable behaviour. As a former youth football grass roots ref I agree that kids imitate the pros and a message must be sent. In this vein Antony kicking out at Robinson is something undesirable scrotes are going to be doing at the weekend.
ITV coverage infuriated me. Robinson should “expect” Antony to “have a nibble”. “No entertainment in the first half”. The fellating of MU was in full swing before we gave them what they wanted on a platter. Watching MU go unpunished for things that have seen us fined is infuriating but like any government they’ll keep the rich and powerful happy over the everyman to keep their power.
No team will ever get the correct decisions at Old Trafford the referees are in their pockets it goes way back to the Ferguson days when his team’s used to surround the referee at every decision they made and he would be pointing to his watch when in added time he often got away with his ranting at the referee and fourth officials, as for var it has ruined football it’s a complete joke.