Craven Cottage erupted in a cacophony of noise as João Palhinha's powerful 87th-minute strike sealed a monumental victory for Fulham, handing Erik ten Hag's Manchester United a devastating defeat in their Premier League opener.
The match, a tense and tactical affair, seemed destined for a draw after Bruno Fernandes' second-half equaliser cancelled out an early Fulham lead. However, United's failure to capitalise on their momentum proved costly, culminating in a dramatic late winner that sent the home fans into delirium.
A Dream Start for the Cottagers
Fulham, roared on by a fervent home crowd, exploded out of the blocks with an intensity that Manchester United struggled to contain. Their early pressure was rewarded within the first 20 minutes, as a swift counter-attack carved open the United defence. The ball fell to a Fulham attacker whose composed finish left André Onana with no chance, sending a wave of belief through the stadium.
United's Laboured Response
The Red Devils, wearing a new-look blue away kit, looked disjointed and sluggish for large periods of the first half. Their build-up play was predictable and easily thwarted by a well-organised and disciplined Fulham backline. The much-discussed new signings failed to make an immediate impact, leaving the United attack looking blunt and lacking creativity.
Fernandes Sparks Brief Hope
Emerging for the second half with renewed purpose, Manchester United began to assert themselves. The introduction of a key substitute added much-needed dynamism, and the pressure finally told. Captain Bruno Fernandes, as he has so often done, arrived in the box to clinically finish a pulled-back cross, restoring parity and seemingly shifting the momentum irrevocably in the visitors' favour.
Palhinha's Heartbreaking Late Blow
Just as United pushed for a winner, Fulham delivered a sucker punch. A poorly cleared corner fell to the edge of the area where Portuguese midfielder João Palhinha was waiting. He met the ball with a thunderous first-time volley that flew into the net, securing all three points for Marco Silva's men and leaving the travelling United support stunned into silence.
Post-Match Fallout
The result raises immediate and serious questions for Erik ten Hag. The performance lacked cohesion and fight, hallmarks of his previous successful sides. For Fulham and Marco Silva, this victory is a statement of intent; a perfectly executed game plan that combines defensive resilience with a lethal counter-attacking threat. The concerns for United are profound, while the celebrations in SW6 will long into the night.
