Fulham vs Manchester United LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Martinez nets winner
Fulham 0-1 Man Utd: Ruben Amorim’s men secured a crucial three points at Craven Cottage
Manchester United earned three crucial points in their quest to move up the Premier League table with a fortuitous 1-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage.
It was a match short of quality and skill from both teams and a dull affair for the watching until the latter stages of the second half.
Fulham were the better team in the first half, controlling play, setting the tempo and getting into the final third to trouble Andre Onana once or twice. United were slow to get up to tempo and spent a long time grinding out possession.
They were better in the second half and saw more possession with the breakthrough eventually coming from Lisandro Martinez. He strode forward and took a shot from outside the box. The ball struck Sasa Lukic and looped over Bernd Leno for the only goal of the game.
Equally important was the substitute appearance of Toby Collyer. He came off the United bench and cleared a headed effort from Joachim Andersen off the goal line to ensure the visitors lead remained intact.
Relive the updates with our live blog below:
Manchester United given boost by 'lucky' win but Ruben Amorim’s side remain unconvincing
“They were lucky to win tonight,” Marco Silva said after Fulham’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester United. As spiky as this might sound - although it was nothing compared to Ruben Amorim’s comments around Marcus Rashford - the United manager wasn’t disagreeing. The difference was that Amorim said his team were due “that bit of luck” after so many matches where it was “the opposite”. He might finally think things are going United’s way. A deflection, a decision, a result. Maybe even a run. This victory, courtesy of Lisandro Martinez’s wildly diverted strike, even feels like it breaks the January boom-bust cycle where any positive was immediately followed by a negative. Amorim has now won two games in a row for the first time in 10. That still hasn’t happened for United in the league but that also touches on the wider point of this win: it gives hope, steadily increasing confidence that bit more. “Let’s get this feeling to the next game,” Amorim said.
Man Utd given boost by 'lucky' win but Ruben Amorim’s side remain unconvincing
Marco Silva speaking to TNT Sports:
"Frustration really with the result.
"Overall, in the game we deserved more and should have taken more from the game.
"One shot on target from Man Utd - a lucky deflection.
"We were the team that dominated more. We had two or three good moments to score, but I don't remember one dangerous moment from Man Utd.
"In the first half we were the better team, but in the second half it was more balanced.
"The game was a bit more balanced, and I wanted us to get on the front foot - a really lucky goal from them.
"After that, the reaction had to come from us, and they sat back with 10 players around the box.
"The level we are playing at we have to be clinical - if we don't, it is going to be difficult to win.
"It was not a good night for our attacking players. Let's hope in the next game it will be better."
Calvin Bassey speaking to Sky Sports:
"I thought we deserved more. We controlled the game and it wasn't our day.
"You need a bit of luck in football and it didn't come our way today.
"We had a lot of chances, maybe in the final part at the end could have been better.
"They didn't create too much to trouble us. We were aware of their quality.
"I felt like we didn't create that much, clear chances."
Leaving it late
68% of Manchester United's Premier League goals this season have come in the second half (19/28), with only Leicester scoring a higher ratio of their goals after the break (72%).
Amorim on the fans at Craven Cottage:
"They deserve it.
“It is amazing and it is not normal. I know you guys are used to this environment here, but it is not normal.
“It is a big privilege to win for this club and give them wins. We want to give them wins and today we did it."
More from Amorim:
"I think so [United are lacking goals], even in the second half we changed things and we lack some pace and power in front, but it is what it is.
“We need to have more ball to have more chances. We struggle a lot in these details. Winning helps us a lot to improve.
"Let's take the feeling, but work really hard tomorrow - we need to win the next one."
Ruben Amorim reacts to United's win
The Red Devils manager said: "Really important to have this feeling away from home. Great support from our away fans. Not a great game and no great chances.
"We tried to play our game, but we need to improve a lot. We hold the result in the end, and we closed the game - it is really important to win now.
“Really important [to keep a clean sheet] because clearly you are closer to winning games, and it gives you confidence.
“We didn't suffer too much today and that is a good sign. We scored, and we move onto the next game."
Edwin van de Sar speaking to TNT Sports:
“The result is nice for the winning manager but I think the performance wasn't great.
“I think that was the only shot on goal from Lisandro Martinez.
“You need to stabilise the club, performances you need to have on the Saturday and the Wednesday.”
Collyer on his goalline clearance:
"I remember clearing it and thinking, 'has that gone over?'
"We did it as a team, together."
Toby Collyer gives reaction TNT Sports
Man Utd’s Toby Collyer spoke to TNT Sports about the praise he received from teammate Lisandro Martinez.
He said: "Unbelievable, coming from a World Cup winner. I couldn't ask for anymore really.
"A tough environment and that makes you better as a player and your character.
"I am looking to improve everyday and help the team as much as I can."
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