Marco Silva was delighted after Alex Iwobi’s stoppage-time winner secured Fulham’s first win at Manchester United for more than two decades.
The Fulham head coach told BBC Sport’s Match of the Day:
“It is a big win for us. For sure, a great feeling for our fans, who were loud from the first to the last whistle. The players deserved it, clearly the best team won the game. We were the team which played better, created more chances and had more control of the game.
“It is a fantastic feeling for us to come here and win against a side in a good run of form. We knew we would have to play at a high level and that’s what we did. They had two or three moments as well, they are a quality team but we controlled it very well. I’m pleased how we played at the start of the second half.
“After we scored we knew there would be a reaction. We tried to play offside for their goal but there was not the synchronisation we wanted and as they pushed, we showed the mentality which we had missed in other away games. It was a great counter and a great finish. The players deserve great credit because they understood the plan and executed the plan. It was an open game, we don’t change away or at home. This is our way.”
Is Leno having a few off games, the goal was preventable!?
Definitely our best away performance for a very long time. Our attacking intent on the break was a joy to see; fast and high tempo throughout. Only some poor finishing and, at times, awful decisions re final pass, preventing us putting the game to bed by half time. Credit to Marco Silva for setting us up like this.
With Muniz showing vastly improved hold up and linking play, we really dominated. Fulham being Fulham, I half expected that, second half, we would be unable to maintain the same momentum but, lo and behold, we were treated to more of the same. Brilliant stuff at a ground where we have suffered some very unfair results in recent times.
Alas, after taking a lead that was richly deserved, Bernd Leno suffered another lapse, of which there have been a few of late, and United, undeservedly, looked like grabbing a point. He has been so consistently excellent for us since signing that his latest gaffe, in a game where he had, up until then, seemed back to his best, does raise a few concerns but I am confident that this current phase will soon pass.
Diop’s introduction was a strange one, for me. Suddenly, it looked like we were intent on hanging on to a point and our attacking threat evaporated, giving United the impetus in midfield for the first time. But, thank God for Adama Traore. This human express train showed strength, speed and no little skill in a rampaging run and, unlike so many before him, today, made the right pass at a crucial time and we come away from Old Trafford victorious. Magic!
Having said all that, Man U were, IMO, bang average-but that’s their problem.
It looks as though, for the remainder of this season at least, Tosin and Bassey will be our two centre backs with Tim Ream being slowly put out to pasture and I thought Castagne had a great game. Sad for two of my favourite players, Ream and Tete. After a promising start, Lukic faded badly and Tom Cairney, when introduced, showed that he did not deserve to have been dropped.
The only negative for me was Pereira. So frustrating watching him play. He does one good thing but follows up with several poor things and totally lacks consistency. His set pieces, so good, last season, have simply vanished.
But, it’s not a time to pick holes after this great win.
Thoroughly deserved. Bassey and Tosin have it sewed up after that. They’re our best centre backs. Lukic deserves a lot of credit to have come in and played like that with the lack of action he’s had.
I thought Perreira had one of his better games yesterday but there’s more to do for sure. I stil think we can play Iwobi or Cairney there.
Big shout out for Muniz. He’s made huge progress in the last few games. He’s looking first choice now ahead of Jiminez when he gets back. What an improvement. He and the coaching staff have pulled one out the bag there. What an amazing day. All done without Palhinia and Willian. I hope we can look up the table now.
Silva merits a statue at the Cottage for his work in these 2 and a bit seasons alone. Our self belief has grown so much that we can play at Old Trafford and sincerely expect a good performance and perhaps a point. Yesterday’s win was fully merited, the highlight for me was Lukic. Unlike his previous outings he seemed to have found an inner courage to tackle convincingly and challenge for 50/50 balls. He made us forget the absence of Pahlinha and that says a lot. Good performance from all team, however if i can find fault, it must be Leno’s recent form. He should be doing better than parring shots into the box. Maybe giving Rodak a chance would make him understand that no one’s place is secure.
Great win I also think Leno can’t keep palming shots back into play he very nearly lost us points and it’s not the first time, Rodak deserves a chance and maybe Leno will see he isn’t a certain starter if keeps making the same mistakes, i too couldn’t see why Cairney was dropped to the bench he is better than Periera . I wish we didn’t take off an attacker and bring on a defender as it encourages the opposition to attack and put pressure on us and that’s when Leno is at fault. COYW ?
Allow me to answer John B’s departing question, Till I die! 🙂 still beaming by Saturday’s win COYW