VAR mars Fulham v Man Utd, home fans took to protest ticket prices, and Bruno Fernandes was mocked with a ‘rat’ chant at Craven Cottage.
It was the Red Devils who snatched three points very late on thanks to Bruno Fernandes on the 91st minute.
Fulham couldn’t clear their lines with the ball ending up with Fernandes on the edge of the penalty area, leading him to cut onto his right foot and found the bottom corner with a low strike.
But much of the talk in the game came after Harry Maguire was penalised for a ‘subjective offside’ as Scott McTominay saw his goal ruled out.
Onana managed to keep Man Utd level with saves from Wilson and Palhinha efforts, and then came the late winner, with meaning Ten Hag’s side sit 6th with 18 points from 11 games ahead of Saturday’s 3pm kick offs while Fulham are 14th with 12 points from 11 games..
Erik ten Hag’s reaction after Scott McTominay’s strike was wiped out by VAR 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/vCmV3pJp0e
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 4, 2023
McTominay’s goal had been ruled out for a ‘subjective offside’ against Maguire. The FA rules state…
A player in an offside position at the moment the ball is played or touched* by a team-mate is only penalised on becoming involved in active play by interfering with play by playing or touching a ball passed or touched by a team-mate or interfering with an opponent by:
– Preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent’s line of vision
– Challenging an opponent for the ball
– Clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent
– Making an obvious action which clearly impacts on the ability of an opponent to play the ball
*The first point of contact of the ‘play’ or ‘touch’ of the ball should be used
Were VAR right to disallow McTominay’s strike? 🤔@rioferdy5 & Joe Cole have their say 🗣 pic.twitter.com/upuF7xYqya
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 4, 2023
Bruno Fernandes silenced critics, and also the Fulham fans after they had been heard singing “Bruno Fernandes, he looks like a rat.”
Man Utd fans in the away end just before the final whistle sang back: “You’ve seen United now f**k off home!”
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, speaking to TNT Sports: “Everyone knows the situation is not the best, we lost the last two games and it wasn’t the performances we wanted to give or the results but today it was a different game.
“We had to give something different and we delivered. We got the three points and that’s the most important thing.
“It’s about the team what everyone does on the pitch. Everyone has to sacrifice, run, work harder. Even on the goal, you could see everyone working hard to get the ball and that’s what makes the goal.
“It was a good performance. We could create more chances but we still had good chances. First half, we had control of the game, second half was amore divided game but I think the biggest chances were always on our side and I think we deserved the win.
“It has to build confidence but we have to understand that we can still do more. Understand now that it is about getting results every time we play.
“Champions League is important for us to get three points. Difficult game away this week but we are Man Utd and we have to win every game.”
Fulham fans chanting “He looks like a rat” to Bruno Fernandes…
— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) November 4, 2023
BRUNO FERNANDES TO THE RESCUE FOR MAN UTD 💪 pic.twitter.com/m7QRxRY65I
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 4, 2023
Before and during the game, Fulham fans protested the ‘scandalous’ £160 tickets for Saturday lunchtime’s fixture.
They marched with a banner, which read “we can’t afford to price out fans” on Stevenage Road ahead of kick-off.
Fulham tickets have already increased 18% from last season, some tickets costing fans £160 for this weekend, leading to calls from fans urging the club not to price them out.
A second protest came during the game, with yellow cards held up in all of the stands in 18th minute.
This was organised by the Fulham Supporters’ Trust, supported by women’s fan group the Fulham Lillies, while also endorsed by supporters’ websites and podcasts, with the aim of drawing attention to the cost of tickets to watch football at Craven Cottage.
According to the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA), general admission adult tickets range from £67 (€77/$83) to £160, and they have also noted that season tickets have typically increased by 18% compared to last year, with Fulham now boasting the most expensive non-corporate season ticket in the Premier League at £3,000.
The Fulham Supporters’ Trust said in a statement: “The problem is a completely misguided ticket pricing policy that fundamentally misunderstands what it means to be a fan.
“It’s a policy which, piece by piece, is alienating a large part of our core fan base to the extent that increasing numbers just can’t afford to come to a game or bring their friends and family to help create that next generation.”
The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust has also pledged to support Fulham fans in their endeavour.
Additionally, the Fulham Supporters’ Trust has written to the Lucy Frazer, the UK’s Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and shadow secretary Thangam Debbonaire, over ticket pricing.
Fulham fans protest in the 18th minute, following an 18 per cent rise in the price of tickets here. It’s something all fans should get behind.#FULMUN pic.twitter.com/wY0y0R9AVd
— Nick Metcalfe (@Nick_Metcalfe) November 4, 2023
Fulham fans held up yellow cards on the 18th minute to protest against ticket price increases at Craven Cottage. 💸#BBCFootball #FULMUN #PL pic.twitter.com/m6TIaAAifM
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) November 4, 2023
Fulham fans protest on Stevenage Road after tickets have increased 18% in the last season. Some match tickets for #FULMUN cost £160 for home fans. Unaffordable for the vast majority. #FFC pic.twitter.com/tdHOStN995
— Dom Smith (@MrDomSmith) November 4, 2023
Fulham boss Marco Silva, speaking to MOTD: “It is difficult to believe but the reality is it did happen again against us. It is something we clearly have to sort out, we have to keep the emotional control to the end of the match.
“It was a very good game from ourselves. A balanced game but we had a very good second half.
“You have to be clear on the game until the last minute.
“We have to be more assertive and much more ruthless in these types of moments because we had clear chances to score. They had one dangerous cross in the second half, after that they didn’t have anything.
“We played well, we put them under pressure, we were on the front foot. Our second half performance was a very good level but we go with this feeling again where we played well but didn’t get anything from the game.”
On Rodrigo Muniz injury: “He had a very good game. He is a boy that is growing. He is showing to me he is ready to fight for the position. The way he holds the ball, the way he connects, he will help us and I hope the injury is not too serious.”
Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay, speaking to TNT Sports: “It shouldn’t just be this game, we can’t get carried away, but when things are going against you, sometimes you have to come together and fight like dogs.
“It’s a building block and I think we did more than enough to win the game in the end.
“We saw the banner before the game and the fans pay good money to come and see us, the support is relentless every single week and we just want to repay them as best we can.
“It’s step by step, with the manager and the coaching staff, we trust them a lot, we trust the players and I feel like we can go on, kick on and do better.
“You have to pick each other up when things aren’t going well. You need confidence, some need to feel like they’re loved, others need a rocket sometimes.
“Everyone reacts different and with the captain and the other senior player, I feel like we’ve got people who know the dressing room well and can bring everyone together to do better.”
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