Sesko's Late Strike Lifts Manchester United Past Fulham in Five-Goal Premier League Thriller

 

Manchester United survived a dramatic late scare to defeat Fulham 3–2, with substitute Benjamin Sesko scoring deep into stoppage time to settle an entertaining Premier League clash. 

United appeared to be cruising after establishing a two-goal cushion in the second half, but Fulham mounted a spirited late comeback that threatened to leave the hosts stunned. Instead, Michael Carrick’s side showed composure at the death to claim all three points in a match that featured momentum shifts, VAR drama, and five goals.

The home side started on the front foot, pressing aggressively and controlling possession through midfield. Their early dominance was rewarded in the 19th minute when Casemiro rose highest to head home from a Bruno Fernandes free kick, giving United a deserved lead.

Fulham attempted to respond by pushing higher up the pitch, with Andreas Pereira and Alex Iwobi trying to exploit spaces between United’s midfield and defence. However, clear chances were limited, and United goalkeeper Senne Lammens dealt comfortably with Fulham’s attempts from distance.

United continued to threaten on the counterattack, with Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho stretching Fulham’s back line, but the hosts were unable to extend their advantage before the break.

United came out with renewed intensity after halftime and doubled their lead in the 56th minute. Casemiro, already on the scoresheet, turned provider by slipping a precise pass into the path of Matheus Cunha, who finished confidently into the bottom corner from inside the area.

At that stage, the match appeared to be slipping away from Fulham. The visitors briefly thought they had pulled a goal back moments later, only for VAR to rule the effort out for offside, further frustrating Marco Silva’s side.

Despite the setback, Fulham gradually regained composure and began to commit more bodies forward, sensing an opportunity as United dropped deeper.

Fulham were handed a lifeline in the 83rd minute when referee intervention awarded them a penalty after Harry Maguire was judged to have fouled Raul Jimenez inside the box. Jiménez stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to reduce the deficit and inject new belief into the visitors.

The match then descended into chaos during an extended period of stoppage time. In the 91st minute, Fulham completed their comeback when Kevin unleashed a stunning long-range effort that flew beyond Lammens and into the top corner, silencing Old Trafford.

Just as Fulham looked poised to secure a dramatic point, United responded immediately. Fernandes delivered a dangerous cross into the penalty area in the 94th minute, and Sesko, introduced from the bench, reacted quickest to finish from close range and restore United’s lead.

Fulham pushed forward desperately in the remaining moments, but United managed the game effectively, seeing out the final seconds to secure a vital victory. Manchester United consolidated their position in the top four with 41 points as Carrick maintains an unbeaten run through three consecutive Premier League games. 

Overview 

Fulham's sustained pressure on Manchester United eventually opened up the right back for penetration, leading to the penalty. They had let loose the defense enough for Tom Carney's goal from offside. Michael Carrick made up for the flaws by replacing Diogo Dalot with Noussair Mazraoui. 

Despite those adjustments, Fulham exploited the spaces left by the removal of Casemiro and Dalot on the right back with the penetration, leading to Kevin's goal in the injury time. It was propitious for United that they could still capitalise on the right wing through Amad and Benjamin Sesko.