Fulham 1, Manchester United 2
Manchester United reclaimed the top spot from Manchester City after they came from behind yet again to beat Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Embed from Getty ImagesPaul Pogba scored the winner in the second half to complete another comeback for the Reds after Edinson Cavani had cancelled out an early Ademola Lookman opener.
It was the 94th time that the Reds had won in the Premier league after conceding the first goal and Pogba’s winner ensured that they ended the night on top of the league with a two point gap over City.
It was the also 7th game in the Premier League this term that the Reds have won after going behind – only twice have teams (Newcastle and United) done more in a single campaign.
The victory also meant that the Reds had gone 366 days without an away defeat in the Premier League as they ensured that City would not stay long at the summit.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was delighted with the win to equal a longstanding United record of 17 unbeaten Premier League away games in a row – set back in 1999.
He said:
“We knew they would run from deep but we hadn’t woken up – I think we started slow but after their goal we played really well.
“We were poor again after we scored, but there was a fantastic goal by Paul and it was heart in mouth time at the end.”
He was also effusive on the form of Pogba, who scored the winner, saying:
“The key was getting him match fit – he can play midfield or wide.” said Solskjaer who also praised Pogba for his work rate and tackling.
And of Edinson Cavani, the marksman who brought the Reds back into the game – he said:
“He’s such a clever experienced striker and makes so many good runs – he could have been given the ball many more times.
“Credit to Areola for the save from him in the second half.”
Despite being top of the league again Solskjaer also played down United’s title hopes, adding: “We’re only half way through and not thinking about the title. Let’s keep everyone healthy and fresh and see where we are.”
Paul Pogba scores the winner to keep Manchester United on top of the Premier League
Paul Pogba put the Reds into the lead in the 65th minute with a moment of magic to break the deadlock – only his 3rd goal of the campaign.
He juggled the ball before lashing it past Alphonse Areola inside the back post from 20 yards out with his weaker foot.
The goal capped off an impressive performance which saw the Frenchman boss the midfield from a deeper role for long stretches against Fulham who will be disappointed to come away from this match empty handed.
Ademola Lookman had earlier given Fulham a shock 5th minute lead from 8 yards after United paid the price for a slow start when Zambo Anguissa picked him out with a long pass leaving the Reds – and Pogba – hoping for an offside call that never came.
United took over and started to pressurise the hosts – having a penalty claim on Fred for a foul by Ruben Loftus-Cheek turned down and a Bruno Fernandes chance come off the post.
But it took a master marksman like Edinson Cavani just before half time to level the scores after Areola spilled a left wing cross to claim his 5th strike of the season.
The Uruguayan instinctively powered the ball home from 7 yards out to set the scene for a Reds onslaught in the second half, in which Cavani was denied by Areola, and where Pogba hit what became the winner.
There were plenty of nervy moments for the Reds at the end though as Scott Parker sent on Aleksandar Mitrovic and United managed to avoid an earlier chance to equalise for Fulham after David De Gea saved from Loftus-Cheek and Mitrovic’s header took a deflection off Eric Bailly at the end.