Fulham secured a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford after a 1-1 draw in regulation time, with Calvin Bassey once again proving to be a lucky charm—maintaining his remarkable record of always winning when he finds the net.
Bassey broke the deadlock for Fulham in first-half stoppage time, heading home after Rodrigo Muniz flicked on an Andreas Pereira corner, giving the Cottagers the lead going into the break.
In the 71st minute, Manchester United's captain, Bruno Fernandes, found the equaliser, forcing the match into extra time.
With neither side able to break the deadlock in extra time, the match was decided by a penalty shootout, where Fulham triumphed over Manchester United.
Bassey's goal marked the fifth of his career and his second against Manchester United—both remarkably coming at Old Trafford. Interestingly, a curious trend continues to follow the Super Eagles defender, as his teams have won every match in which he has found the back of the net.
Bassey dominates at Old Trafford with stellar defensive display
Beyond his crucial goal, Calvin Bassey delivered a commanding performance at Old Trafford, showcasing his defensive prowess.
The defender made 11 clearances, three interceptions, and a total tackle while proving formidable in ground duels, winning seven out of nine.
He also recorded 115 touches and maintained an impressive 94% pass accuracy, completing 85 of his 90 attempted passes.
Though less dominant in the air, winning just one of four aerial duels, Bassey’s all-round contribution was instrumental in Fulham’s triumph over Manchester United.
Iwobi’s midfield masterclass: Creativity and work rate on display
Alex Iwobi played a pivotal role in Fulham’s hard-fought victory, combining creativity with defensive diligence.
The Nigerian midfielder registered 66 touches and maintained an 88% pass accuracy, completing 43 of his 49 attempted passes.
He was a key orchestrator in attack, delivering three key passes and creating a big chance while also holding his own in duels, winning five out of ten on the ground and his only aerial contest.
Defensively, he contributed with two clearances and three tackles before making way for Ryan Sessegnon in the 107th minute after a tireless shift.
