Deadbat_DB
Vital Squad Member
A crazy game at the Lane on Saturday afternoon of the Easter weekend saw United and Fulham share six goals in a game where United thought they had led 4-1 with less than 10 minutes to go but after VAR intervened, were pegged back to 3-2 and then denied a victory with another stoppage time goal being conceded.
As with the previous game, at Bournemouth, United had a two-goal lead but again threw away the three points with some bizarre officiating, poor substitutions, and complete inability to see games out proving the Blades undoing yet again. A game that had not threatened any real excitement in a goalless statement at half time despite the visitors dominating and hitting the post, came to life with Brereton Diaz scoring against the run of play after good work from McBurnie. This was after Fulham had hit the post again. A leveller after poor defending at a corner saw Palhina score an unopposed header but Brereton Diaz and McBurnie combined again to see the latter score and then when the Chilean converted his second, and United’s third, they seemed home and dry. McBurnie then thought had netted a fourth but VAR ruled this out and immediately Cordova-Reid made it 3-2. The stoppage board showed 14 minutes of stoppage time and after this, it seemed inevitable the Blades could not hold out and Muniz’s acrobatic levelled matters on 103 and in the end, the home side were the team holding on in a breathless finale.
United made three changes after the international break with Holgate, Ahmedhodzic and Souza returning at the expense of Trusty and the injured pair, Baldock and Davies. Fulham on the back of some impressive recent results, including a thumping of Spurs, were looking to continue their excellent form in their quest for potential European qualification.
The game began with Fulham having most of the ball but were not able to create any clear chances and for the first time at home for several months, United at least were able to not concede at home and stay in the game! Wiliam was looking dangerous on the left and Pereira was getting on the ball at every opportunity, but the Blades were staying compact and well organised. Robinson had one effort that Grbic got down to save before Fulham won a series of corners. United had struggled to find much in the way of attacking threat although Brereton Diaz was trying hard to hold the ball up but lacked support.
The game had seen little goalmouth action but it was the away side that continued to dominate the ball and a few neat moves saw United have to be alert with Osborn and then Robinson blocking the danger. The best opportunity came when a ball came over and a combination of Muniz and Ahmedhodzic converged on the ball and it was goal bound before Grbic made a crucial stop to push it onto the post. Holgate cleared the danger and United survived. The home side did have a few rare forays towards the end of the half with Bogle hitting a shot over on the angle and then Hamer curling an effort a long way wide after they had won a corner. The Blades were happy to not concede and go in at the break goalless after recent battering’s at their own ground.
The first half had been a relatively event free contest certainly in front of goal and nobody would have expected the drama that the second half presented. Fulham were a whisker away from leading when Arblaster’s pass was intercepted and the deep cross was directed by the head of Muniz past Grbic but bounced off the post and away. The young United midfielder did make two crucial blocks soon after as Fulham looked to turn the screw. He needed treatment after the second block. Iwobi should have scored but dithered as United somehow stayed level and after being dominated to start the half, they broke to score completely against the run of play!
Tosin slipped and McBurnie got down the left channel and his ball with the outside of his foot was perfect for BRERETON DIAZ who cooly converted at the back post. United had a rare lead and goal at home and were determined to hold onto it as Holgate’s efforts were a bit too aggressive as he cynically took down Willian. However, the lead was short-lived and it came from a corner. Willian’s delivery was met on the full by the unmarked PALHINHA whose header found the far corner. It was a sloppy goal to concede and parity was restored. Traore was brought on for Lukic after the equaliser.
The topsy turvy contest took a turn back the other way though only 6 minutes later, as the Blades restored their lead. The roles were revered as this time as after Hamer’s quick free kick, Brereton Diaz pulled back and MCBURNIE slotted home. Only two minutes later and it was 3-1! Arblaster carried the ball on and found Hamer and his inviting cross was bundled home by BRERTON DIAZ. As the ball went into the net, there was a clash between scorer and goalkeeper Leno and a lengthy VAR check for both the goal (potential handball) and for violent conduct, although those in the ground did not know which player’s conduct was being checked. After a lengthy stoppage, the goal was allowed and no further action was to be taken. Cairney came on for Iwobi as Fulham as the game entered the final 15 minutes (or so we thought!)
The superb attacking spell from the Blades saw the crowd really come to life and Fulham, who had dominated most of the game, somehow found themselves in a deep hole. United were seemingly in dreamland when on 82 minutes, they looked like they had made it 4-1 after a scramble saw McBurnie score at the second attempt, poking home but after yet another check, this time it went against United with Souza ruled to have been in an offside position in the build up as he played it forward on the original chance.
There was a flurry of changes as Trusty and Norwood came on for Souza and Arblaster and Fulham made a trio of substitutes with Jimenez, Tete and De Cordova Reid incoming for Tosin, Pereira and Castagne. Many Fulham fans had started to leave the ground after the fourth had gone in not waiting for any check but those that remained would have sensed an unlikely comeback when almost, Fulham went up the other end and reduced the arrears. It was a poor header away from Holgate and Cairney played in DE CORDOVA-REID who took a touch and arrowed a low drive away from Grbic. With 4 minutes to play, Fulham sprinted back and knew they had a chance of an unlikely salvation when the game had seemingly been done and dusted.
United were now sitting back and struggling to hold the ball and it was one way traffic as Traore was causing problems down the right and Cairney dictating the ball in midfield. United were throwing bodies in the line but the sight of a stoppage time board showing 14 minutes surely had to be disparaging for the players who had worked hard to finally look like they were going to get a victory at home.
Fulham were pouring men forward and after a ball went out, the throw was awarded in their favour and Traore sent over the cross and MUNIZ overhead scissor kick gave Grbic absolutely no chance as it flashed into the corner. Fulham quickly retrieved the ball and sensed an incredible come from behind victory and with another 11 minutes to play, surely fancied their chances?
United now had completely gone and substitutes McAtee and Trusty were not helping with poor decisions meaning the pressure continued to be put on them. Hamer and Bassey were both booked after a skirmish but it was all Fulham now and just a case of if the Blades could hold on. Another corner was won and then Bogle brought his man down leading to a free kick. Cairney’s effort was saved from Grbic through a crowd of bodies and United survived as on 118 minutes, Tim Robinson finally blew his full-time whistle.
As with the previous game, at Bournemouth, United had a two-goal lead but again threw away the three points with some bizarre officiating, poor substitutions, and complete inability to see games out proving the Blades undoing yet again. A game that had not threatened any real excitement in a goalless statement at half time despite the visitors dominating and hitting the post, came to life with Brereton Diaz scoring against the run of play after good work from McBurnie. This was after Fulham had hit the post again. A leveller after poor defending at a corner saw Palhina score an unopposed header but Brereton Diaz and McBurnie combined again to see the latter score and then when the Chilean converted his second, and United’s third, they seemed home and dry. McBurnie then thought had netted a fourth but VAR ruled this out and immediately Cordova-Reid made it 3-2. The stoppage board showed 14 minutes of stoppage time and after this, it seemed inevitable the Blades could not hold out and Muniz’s acrobatic levelled matters on 103 and in the end, the home side were the team holding on in a breathless finale.
United made three changes after the international break with Holgate, Ahmedhodzic and Souza returning at the expense of Trusty and the injured pair, Baldock and Davies. Fulham on the back of some impressive recent results, including a thumping of Spurs, were looking to continue their excellent form in their quest for potential European qualification.
The game began with Fulham having most of the ball but were not able to create any clear chances and for the first time at home for several months, United at least were able to not concede at home and stay in the game! Wiliam was looking dangerous on the left and Pereira was getting on the ball at every opportunity, but the Blades were staying compact and well organised. Robinson had one effort that Grbic got down to save before Fulham won a series of corners. United had struggled to find much in the way of attacking threat although Brereton Diaz was trying hard to hold the ball up but lacked support.
The game had seen little goalmouth action but it was the away side that continued to dominate the ball and a few neat moves saw United have to be alert with Osborn and then Robinson blocking the danger. The best opportunity came when a ball came over and a combination of Muniz and Ahmedhodzic converged on the ball and it was goal bound before Grbic made a crucial stop to push it onto the post. Holgate cleared the danger and United survived. The home side did have a few rare forays towards the end of the half with Bogle hitting a shot over on the angle and then Hamer curling an effort a long way wide after they had won a corner. The Blades were happy to not concede and go in at the break goalless after recent battering’s at their own ground.
The first half had been a relatively event free contest certainly in front of goal and nobody would have expected the drama that the second half presented. Fulham were a whisker away from leading when Arblaster’s pass was intercepted and the deep cross was directed by the head of Muniz past Grbic but bounced off the post and away. The young United midfielder did make two crucial blocks soon after as Fulham looked to turn the screw. He needed treatment after the second block. Iwobi should have scored but dithered as United somehow stayed level and after being dominated to start the half, they broke to score completely against the run of play!
Tosin slipped and McBurnie got down the left channel and his ball with the outside of his foot was perfect for BRERETON DIAZ who cooly converted at the back post. United had a rare lead and goal at home and were determined to hold onto it as Holgate’s efforts were a bit too aggressive as he cynically took down Willian. However, the lead was short-lived and it came from a corner. Willian’s delivery was met on the full by the unmarked PALHINHA whose header found the far corner. It was a sloppy goal to concede and parity was restored. Traore was brought on for Lukic after the equaliser.
The topsy turvy contest took a turn back the other way though only 6 minutes later, as the Blades restored their lead. The roles were revered as this time as after Hamer’s quick free kick, Brereton Diaz pulled back and MCBURNIE slotted home. Only two minutes later and it was 3-1! Arblaster carried the ball on and found Hamer and his inviting cross was bundled home by BRERTON DIAZ. As the ball went into the net, there was a clash between scorer and goalkeeper Leno and a lengthy VAR check for both the goal (potential handball) and for violent conduct, although those in the ground did not know which player’s conduct was being checked. After a lengthy stoppage, the goal was allowed and no further action was to be taken. Cairney came on for Iwobi as Fulham as the game entered the final 15 minutes (or so we thought!)
The superb attacking spell from the Blades saw the crowd really come to life and Fulham, who had dominated most of the game, somehow found themselves in a deep hole. United were seemingly in dreamland when on 82 minutes, they looked like they had made it 4-1 after a scramble saw McBurnie score at the second attempt, poking home but after yet another check, this time it went against United with Souza ruled to have been in an offside position in the build up as he played it forward on the original chance.
There was a flurry of changes as Trusty and Norwood came on for Souza and Arblaster and Fulham made a trio of substitutes with Jimenez, Tete and De Cordova Reid incoming for Tosin, Pereira and Castagne. Many Fulham fans had started to leave the ground after the fourth had gone in not waiting for any check but those that remained would have sensed an unlikely comeback when almost, Fulham went up the other end and reduced the arrears. It was a poor header away from Holgate and Cairney played in DE CORDOVA-REID who took a touch and arrowed a low drive away from Grbic. With 4 minutes to play, Fulham sprinted back and knew they had a chance of an unlikely salvation when the game had seemingly been done and dusted.
United were now sitting back and struggling to hold the ball and it was one way traffic as Traore was causing problems down the right and Cairney dictating the ball in midfield. United were throwing bodies in the line but the sight of a stoppage time board showing 14 minutes surely had to be disparaging for the players who had worked hard to finally look like they were going to get a victory at home.
Fulham were pouring men forward and after a ball went out, the throw was awarded in their favour and Traore sent over the cross and MUNIZ overhead scissor kick gave Grbic absolutely no chance as it flashed into the corner. Fulham quickly retrieved the ball and sensed an incredible come from behind victory and with another 11 minutes to play, surely fancied their chances?
United now had completely gone and substitutes McAtee and Trusty were not helping with poor decisions meaning the pressure continued to be put on them. Hamer and Bassey were both booked after a skirmish but it was all Fulham now and just a case of if the Blades could hold on. Another corner was won and then Bogle brought his man down leading to a free kick. Cairney’s effort was saved from Grbic through a crowd of bodies and United survived as on 118 minutes, Tim Robinson finally blew his full-time whistle.
