Fulham were within touching distance of the first win of Álvaro Arbeloa’s Premier League reign before Matheus Cunha’s late intervention left them with another draw and a familiar sense of frustration at Craven Cottage.
In the dressing room
The London side led Manchester United from the 63rd minute, when Lisandro Martínez turned the ball into his own net. Gonzalo García started for Fulham, who had endured difficult spells before finding a greater measure of control after taking the lead.
United had already struck the woodwork twice, through Cunha and Bruno Fernandes, as Fulham were made to defend their ground in patches. Yet Arbeloa’s team appeared to have seen out the contest until the 89th minute.
Cunha’s equaliser arrived after an unfortunate rebound fell his way, ending Fulham’s hopes of protecting their advantage. The match finished 1-1.
| Team | Premier League position | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulham | 19th | 5 | 2 |
A point, but no breakthrough
Fulham remain without a league victory after five fixtures and sit second from bottom on two points. There was resilience in their response to United’s pressure and organisation in the closing stages, but the late concession means the wait goes on.
The week ahead gives Arbeloa a side with something to build on, though the league table will not offer much comfort. Fulham have shown they can withstand heavyweight opposition; the next task is turning a decent hour and a half into the result their season requires.
