Manchester United 3-1 Fulham - The look back
One of the craziest days in Fulham history. We'll talk about it for years - but for all the wrong reasons.
Oh boy.
For 70 glorious minutes, we controlled an FA Cup quarter final at Old Trafford against Manchester United. A solid first 45 saw us level at the break, before our talismanic striker put us one up and seemingly on our way to Wembley.
Then that talismanic striker became, well, just manic.
Let’s start at the beginning of the craziest few minutes of this - or any - Fulham season. First, Willian handles a shot from Jadon Sancho that was destined for the back of the net. Referee Chris Kavanagh didn’t see it in real time, so the (clear and obvious) error went to VAR.
As Kavanagh approaches the pitch-side monitor, he’s accosted by Marco Silva. That’s enough for the man in black, who shows Marco a red card. VAR check complete, and it’s a red for Willian too, and a penalty to United.
Mitro, incensed by it all, approaches Kavanagh, and pulls him back, for which he - rightly - sees a straight red. That only angers Mitro more, who continues to berate the ref until he’s pulled away. In less than five minutes, we’re two down on the pitch, and one down in the dugout. And it wasn’t over.
Bruno Fernandes dispatches the penalty, and a minute or so later United turned the tie around, thanks to a back-heel from Marcel Sabitzer. Game over. Fernandes added a third for United in injury time, for whatever it was worth.
The heartbreak is intensified by just how high we were before the melee. In control, Wembley-bound, with a winnable semi-final tie. How long until we’re that close again?
It’s the hope that kills you.
What they said
Marco Silva: Our story with Chris Kavanagh this season has been tough for us. Unfortunately, we have been very unlucky with him this season. Many moments. It is difficult to understand some of the decisions. We had that West Ham game away from home. We lost the game with two clear handball goals and it was Chris Kavanagh in that moment. Today, everyone saw what is happening in this game. It is difficult for them to not look for these things.
Joao Palhinha: Big frustrating today's game! We all deserved a different result. This just has to give us more strength. Thank you to all our supporters for the huge support, together cottages.
Jack Collins: Mitrovic has done a silly today, but he’s been’s Fulham’s talisman since he arrived at Craven Cottage and his passion and commitment to the club is unrivalled. If you think you deserve some sort of apology, give your head a wobble.
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