FOOTBALL
Man United draw despite Cavani’s magic
Fulham ensured that they don’t let Manchester United stroll past them at Old Trafford as they did in the first encounter at the home fixture.
The Cottagers secured a point in the game courtesy a 1-1 finish at the verge of this Premier League season.
Joe Bryan found back of the net in the 75th minute to cancel an outrageous long-range goal by Edinson Cavani in the first half.
Despite suffering defeat in their last two league games, the United players seemed full of confidence.
They dominated possession and controlled the match’s pace from the start.
The Red Devils came out pressing high and it was evident that the Cottagers were facing trouble, keeping up while trying to build from the back.
United star Paul Pogba posted the first major threat for the visitors in the fifth minute. He headed defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross from the right spot to send it just over the bar.
Cavani’s wonder goal
In the 14th minute, Cavani claimed that he was fouled inside the box, but referee Lee Mason denied his appeal.
The Uruguayan forward did not shy away from putting up a show for the 10,000 fans that graced Old Trafford for the first time in over a year for United’s final home game of the season.
A minute later, a clever Bruno Fernandes back-heeled assist helped Cavani score his ninth goal in ten games, and 16th of the season.
El Matador struck a 40-yard lob to pocket the opening goal as he caught Fulham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola off his line.
Since that moment of sheer brilliance, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men had ample opportunities to double their lead but the forwards failed to capitalize.
Bruno Fernandes tried to score United’s second of the night with long-range efforts from outside the box, but the effort went in vain.
Similarly, Ademola Lookman and Fabio Carvalho went close for the Whites, but De Gea pulled off two scintillating saves that kept them at bay.
United were looking to seal the three points when Bryan struck equalized against the run of play.
Having failed to win against minnows Fulham, United are left with 71 points from the 37 leagues games played. The Red Devils will meet Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
Solskjaer’s side have stretched their winless run to three games. Before the Fulham draw, Liverpool thumped United 4-2 whereas Leicester City overwhelmed them 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Fulham are at the 18th spot in the points table, pocketing only two points in the last nine league games.
While they can’t avoid relegation even if they win their remaining game, United will be fuming at not having secured the second spot in the table.