Manchester United have been dealt yet another huge blow in the Premier League today after they conceded a 90th minute equaliser to Fulham at Old Trafford.
Despite enjoying most of the possession throughout the first-half, David Moyes’ men went into the interval 1-0 down after Steve Sidwell scored against the run of play to silence the home crowd.
The second half was similar to the first, United dominating the possession, but not being able to find the back of the net, this was at least until the 78th minute when Robin Van Persie was left unmarked at the far post to turn home a wild Juan Mata strike.
Then just two minutes later, it appeared that the hosts were going to get a much-needed victory when Michael Carrick’s deflected shot looped into the top-corner past Fulham’s goalkeeper.
However, it was Fulham who had the last laugh when Darren Bent headed home after David De Gea failed to deal with a stinging Kieran Richardson shot.
After the game, several figures faced the media, and this is what both camps had to say on the encounter.
Fulham captain Steve Sidwell:
“It’s a massive point, I’m speechless really. We put a lot of effort in and rode our luck but came away with a point.
“It was hard. It’s never easy coming here so hopefully we can kick on now for the rest of the season.
“We had chances to put it to bed in the first half and I thought we deserved a point.”
Goalscorer Darren Bent:
“The team worked so hard in the first half and when you go 2-1 down at these kind of places you think the worst but we hoped for one more chance and I managed top put it away.
“I hope this can be a turning point. When you come here you always have it hard but we didn’t let out heads drop.”
Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen: “We set out as everyone can see, we made it very difficult for them. They have some problems of their own in that respect. They kept creating chances and crosses but we defended fantastically well. You think at the end all the hard work will slip away. But at the end, for Darren Bent to score that equaliser it felt like a winner.
“The most important thing is we got a point. A lot of people were classifying us as dead and buried. We have far too much quality and team spirit to be down there where we are.”
Manchester United manager David Moyes: “It’s been a bit like that this season. Today was as bad as it gets. We dominated the game. Being one down was bad enough. The amount of attempts, chances and play we had was unbelievable. How we didn’t win I have no idea.
“It’s goals that count. You can have as much possession as you like. We should have scored more. You’ve got to try and keep making it work. The payers tried that today and eventually the goals did come and I was more disappointed we didn’t make it 3-1.
“It was a bit of carelessness at the back and we could have cleared the ball but didn’t and it cost us.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles
