At Craven Cottage, Fulham and Manchester United delivered a dramatic 1-1 draw in a match filled with controversy, wasted opportunities, and the intensity that defines the Premier League.

United Takes Early Control but Misses a Crucial Chance

The first major opportunity of the game came with a penalty awarded to Manchester United, but Bruno Fernandes failed to convert, sending his shot over the crossbar. That miss shifted the momentum, boosting the confidence of the home side. Still, United managed to break the deadlock thanks to Leny Yoro, who powered in a header from a corner kick. The play included a slight deflection off Rodrigo Muniz, which wrong-footed the goalkeeper and gave the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Fulham Responds with Impact from the Bench

Rather than collapsing, Fulham adjusted in the second half and gained energy through substitutions. The entrance of Émile Smith Rowe proved decisive. In the 73rd minute, the English midfielder connected with a precise pass from Alex Iwobi to slot home the equalizer. The goal ignited the Craven Cottage crowd and gave the hosts the confidence to finish the match with momentum on their side.

All the Goals

This is how the match unfolded

Manchester United stumbled again this Sunday, this time at Craven Cottage, with a 1-1 draw against Fulham after taking the lead with a goal from Yoro in the 58th minute and seeing Smith Rowe equalize for the hosts.
Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty in the first half, and United now has just one point from a possible six to start the season.

The match began at a high pace from the first minute, with the Red Devils showing attacking intent as Matheus Cunha struck from outside the box and hit the post in just three minutes. Shortly after, Joshua King tried his luck, but Altay Bayındır, starting instead of Onana, made a solid save. Moments later, the goalkeeper launched a long ball toward Cunha, who controlled brilliantly, only for his shot to be denied by Bernd Leno, who stood out again to prevent the opening goal.

After those early chances, the game balanced out and neither side created real danger until the 39th minute, when the referee awarded United a penalty after a VAR review for a foul by Bassey on Mount during a corner. Bruno Fernandes stepped up but sent his shot over the crossbar, wasting a clear chance to give his side the lead.

In the second half, United threatened with a Diallo effort that went wide, and minutes later Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim introduced Sesko, one of the new signings, though he failed to make an impact. In the 58th minute, after a corner taken by Mbeumo, Leny Yoro scored with a header to put United ahead, although the ball deflected slightly off Rodrigo Muniz before going in. VAR confirmed the goal after checking a possible foul on Calvin Bassey.

It looked like the visitors had the match under control, but Muniz and Iwobi responded with off-target shots. The changes made by Marco Silva proved decisive, with Mexican forward Raúl Jiménez and English midfielder Smith Rowe energizing Fulham’s attack. Just two minutes after coming on, Smith Rowe latched onto an Iwobi cross from the left, arriving unmarked from deep to beat Bayındır.

United pushed for a winner in the final 17 minutes but couldn’t break down Fulham’s solid defense, which allowed no clear chances. A late Maguire header from a corner was the only opportunity for the Red Devils, who remain winless with just one point from two matches, while Fulham collected their second consecutive draw.