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Fulham took on United at Craven Cottage where United has won for the last four visits there. Fulham players are beaming up with confidence after they have secured a point from the other title contenders and they came out fighting hoping to knock United off by either a win or another draw.
Both sides are used to slow start in a game and the only side who has conceded the most in the last 15 minutes of any game after Manchester United would be Fulham as well. So, both would want to have that quick start this time around.
United has been a goal down 7 times away in the Premier League and they have won all but that was tested in the 5th minute when a long ball picked out Ademola Lookman who skipped past the onlooking Bailly, Maguire and Pogba and slotted coolly beyond the reach of De Gea to register the first goal of the night and draw the first blood.
United now back to a familiar pattern on the road and Fulham has never lot a game in which they have been ahead.
Just 3 minutes earlier, Wan Bissaka was sloppy on the ball and lost it. Lookman should have scored here first but he could only hit a tame effort towards goal and it was saved easily.
Want Bissaka didn't produce his usual game on the night. Maybe he needed a break because he was caught out of position during the game, lost possession, gave the ball away and made obvious mistakes that is not expected of him. He tried a few times to show his quality though in this match.
Bruno Fernandes has been quiet in the game but turned up in the 20th minute when he received a pass from Fred, controlled and fired a wonderful strike that was saved by the bar. Not long after, Fred was instrumental and involved, won a ball on the sideline, fed it to Bruno who crossed into the box. Areola spilt the effort and Cavani pounced on it to level the scored, 1-1. He is used to being in the right place at the right time.
2 minutes after, Bruno was at it yet again. He showed great awareness for the space around him and had another shot outside the box but Areola was up to it and saved it for a corner kick.
United came alive and had a series of chances to take the lead now. Martial had his header blocked while Maguire on two separate occasions couldn't do anything with his headers that came from a corner.
In the 37th minute, a perfect ball fell to Cavaleiro but his heavy touch let him down and he was able to go the length because Wan Bissaka was caught napping at the back.
Martial had a chance in the 43rd minute but he couldn't keep his header down and the first half ended 1-1.
Loftus Cheeks was brilliant on the night and he tormented United's defence line and in the 52nd minute, he had an effort flash across the box but there was no one to pick it out and bury the chance. Lookman also was impressive on the night with his pace and shots.
Pogba found Fernandes in the 55th minute with a brilliant ball but he was flagged for offside even though Areola saved the initial effort from Bruno. The same thing happened to Martial when he was flagged for offside but still saved Martial's initial efforts. It seemed as though it would take something special to beat Areola on the night because he has been sensational.
The moment of magic came in the 65th minute when Pogba played a 'Pogboom' strike. It was on his weaker foot and the delivery and execution of the ball were phenomenal. What a goal it was. It was absolute magic from Pogba. It was a lovely hit that drew the attention of his teammates on the bench. His first touch was class and the goal was more class - top draw.
He cut inside on his left leg and the unleashed a venomous strike that Areola couldn't do anything about. It was a goal worthy of a winner and fantastic.
Cavani had a chance to double his tally on the night but his brilliant header was denied. The save was even more brilliant from Areola. Fulham has only taken one point from a losing position so they are willing to throw everything at United to at least get a draw.
United took their 5th corner of the night in the 72nd minute while Fulham had none. Loftus Cheeks drew a brilliant save from De Gea when he saved with his legs while Fred also had his effort blocked on the other end.
A great ball fell to Mitrovic that would allow him to get a point for his team in the 82nd minute but he fluffed his lines. A minute after, Lemina blazed another effort over.
Fulham had a back to back attacks and pressed hard to get a point while Bailly almost gifted them a goal with an own goal.
Pogba's effort was enough to give United the win and lift them back to the top of the table. We have had 3 different leaders in the league in the space of 24 hours. United has now won 10 and drew 3 times already. Only 6 points have been dropped by United.
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