Marco Silva was both disappointed with the sloppy nature of the goals Fulham conceded and heartened by his side’s never-say-die attitude at the end of an extraordinary afternoon at Bramall Lane.
The Whites fought back from 3-1 down to rescue a point thanks to a spectacular finish from the red-hot Rodrigo Muniz, but Fulham’s rousing finale only deepened the head coach’s frustration at how they had allowed Sheffield United to construct such a commanding advantage having dominated the first period.
Silva told his post-match press conference:
“I have to be honest – it’s a disappointing result for us, because when you are dominant from the first minute like we were, the team that created clearly more chances to win the game, that from the first minute was on the front foot and tried to win the game, it is disappointing.
Not just because of that – the way we conceded goals. These type of games, when we are dominant, we have the ball most of the time, we cannot be sloppy in the way we conceded the first and the second, even the third [with] the way we lost the ball. It creates a difficult scenario, but the reaction I have to say was fantastic. We, as a team, refused to lose this game.
The players felt, for sure, on the pitch the way we were losing the game was really unfair, but it was our fault as well, and we fought as a team. We showed the quality to come back from 3-1, scoring two great goals and creating more chances even to win the game in the last minutes. Even the last minute of the game, the big chance with Tom Cairney at that free-kick. Overall, looking at the game, I have to say that it’s a disappointing result, [but] I’m pleased for the reaction from the players.”
The Fulham head coach was full of praise for Muniz – revealing that the Brazilian had picked up a knock in training during the international break meaning his participation in this fixture was in doubt.
“First of all, nice to see him handle all the game, the 105 minutes, because he had a tough week. Ten days ago he got an injury in a training session, he just trained the last two days for the match. Nice to see him handle the game and to play and to be decisive again.
It was an unlucky afternoon for us, for him, when he had two off the post. The first half off the post, great save from the goalkeeper, and a great, great header from himself. If that goes in the net it’s going to be an unbelievable goal from himself. Even so, he kept the composure, he kept the trust in himself. We provided good chances for him – great, great goal from him, and great to see him scoring again and helping the team to get points. Much more to come from him.”
