Fulham beat Man Utd on penalties to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals!
Image credit: Fulham Football Club
Manchester United suffered a heartbreaking FA Cup exit as Fulham triumphed 4-3 on penalties at Old Trafford after a tense 1-1 draw following extra time.
Erik ten Hag’s side, hoping to defend their title, were left stunned as Bernd Leno produced key saves in the shootout to send Fulham into the quarter-finals.
Fulham Strike First at Old Trafford
Manchester United began the game with confidence, dominating possession and pressing high up the pitch.
Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho looked lively on the wings, trying to stretch Fulham’s compact defensive structure.
However, despite United’s early control, clear-cut chances were hard to come by.
Fulham, known for their resilience under Marco Silva, gradually settled into the game and started posing a threat on the counterattack.
Their breakthrough came in the 42nd minute.
A well-worked corner routine caught United off guard, allowing Calvin Bassey to rise highest and head past André Onana, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.
Old Trafford fell silent as Fulham celebrated, sensing an opportunity to pull off a major cup upset.
Fernandes Restores Parity
Trailing at home, United showed more urgency after the restart.
Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka pushed forward from the full-back positions, adding width to United’s attacks.
The hosts started to create more openings, but Fulham remained organized, with Tim Ream and Bassey clearing any danger.
The equalizer finally arrived in the 71st minute, thanks to a moment of quality from Bruno Fernandes.
Dalot, surging down the left flank, found the Portuguese midfielder in space at the edge of the box. Fernandes took a touch before firing a precise low shot past Bernd Leno, bringing United level.
With the score tied, the final 20 minutes were frantic.
Both teams had chances to snatch a winner – Rasmus Højlund saw a shot deflected just wide, while Fulham’s Andreas Pereira forced a fine save from Onana with a dipping effort.
However, neither side could find the decisive goal, sending the match into extra time.
Extra Time: Missed Chances as the Game Stretches
As fatigue set in, the pace of the game slowed, but the tension remained high.
United came close to winning it in the first period of extra time when Casemiro’s header was cleared off the line by Antonee Robinson.
Try to spot Fulham match-winner Bernd Leno 😅 pic.twitter.com/lZvNfhIrEG
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 2, 2025
Fulham, refusing to sit back, nearly found a late winner when Harry Wilson tested Onana with a curling strike, but the United keeper managed to parry it away.
Despite both teams’ best efforts, no goals were scored in extra time, meaning the fate of the match would be decided by penalties.
Penalty Shootout: Leno the Hero as United Crash Out
United fans hoped their team’s experience would carry them through the shootout, but Fulham proved to be the more composed side.
The visitors converted four of their five penalties, with Joao Palhinha scoring the decisive spot-kick.
Fulham beat Man Utd on penalties to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals! ⚪️💪 pic.twitter.com/y3vxyUuUd4
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 2, 2025
For United, Victor Lindelöf and Joshua Zirkzee missed their penalties, with Leno producing a crucial save to deny the Dutch forward.
Fernandes, Diogo Dalot, and Casemiro converted their attempts, but it wasn’t enough as Fulham secured a famous victory.
Man of the Match:
Bernd Leno (Fulham) – The Fulham goalkeeper was exceptional, making key saves during the game and proving to be the match-winner in the penalty shootout.
What’s Next?
Manchester United: They must regroup quickly as they return to Premier League action, where they continue their push for a top-four finish.
Fulham: Marco Silva’s men advance to the FA Cup quarter-finals, where they will look to continue their dream cup run.
This result will serve as a bitter disappointment for United, while Fulham celebrate a famous night at Old Trafford.