Fulham
Šeško’s stoppage-time strike seals 3-2 as Casemiro dominates before late wobble
A stoppage-time winner made it 3-2 after Casemiro’s early influence and a chaotic finish at Trafford
Benjamin Šeško’s 94th-minute finish completed a dramatic 3-2 victory for Manchester United over Fulham on Sunday, capping a match that swung wildly after the influential Casemiro left the pitch.
Casemiro produced a commanding first-half display in his first Old Trafford appearance since announcing his exit this summer. He opened the scoring with a towering header after 19 minutes and later supplied a no-look pass that set up Matheus Cunha. Bruno Fernandes’ free kick arced onto Casemiro’s forehead for that opening goal, underlining the midfielder’s influence in both phases.
“Brazil’s 2002 World Cup winning defensive midfielder Gilberto Silva once described his compatriot Casemiro as “The Invisible Man.”” He was on show for all to see against Fulham.
With 15 minutes to play Casemiro was substituted and walked off to a standing ovation with United leading 2-0. His withdrawal coincided with a vulnerable spell in the centre of the pitch. Fulham probed through that area, and United were made to pay when Harry Maguire’s late lunge conceded a penalty, allowing Fulham back into the contest.
Cunha had earlier taken advantage of Patrick Dorgu’s absence, drifting infield from the left before arriving on the right to score 10 minutes into the second half with a powerful finish from Casemiro’s pass. Cunha, promoted to the starting XI while Dorgu recovered, provided a different attacking option and ended up on the scoresheet.
Substitute Šeško, introduced in the 74th minute, struck the bar with his first touch before calmly nodding home the winner after more messy late moments.
Player ratings highlighted strong performances from Casemiro (8.8) and Bruno Fernandes (8.6), with goalkeeper Senne Lammens noted for several important saves (8.1). Manuel Ugarte offered a brief substitute appearance (6.5). Several late subs were without ratings.
Match statistics showed United had 42% possession to Fulham’s 58%. Expected goals read 1.74 for United and 1.97 for Fulham. Total shots were 13 to 14, shots on target 6 each, big chances 3 to 2, passing accuracy 87% to 90% and fouls 6 to 9.
Fulham
Iraola acknowledges Liverpool concerns after Fulham setback
Iraola says Liverpool must turn promising signs into consistency after fatigue and Fulham setbac
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has accepted that supporters have every reason to feel uneasy after a mixed start to his time at Anfield.
“I understand the frustration the other day because we were also frustrated,” Iraola said in response.
He pointed to the contrast between two promising performances and the dip against Fulham, stressing that the team have already shown the level they want to reach. “I think we were coming from two good games and we were considering it as a step forward, then we had a step backwards. The performance level is not like the two other days. This happens in football.
“We have to accept it in terms of … there are going to be up and downs in this process, but we are clear that where we want to go is more towards where we have been against Atlético Madrid and Ipswich, that’s the kind of style, that’s the kind of football we want. The key now is the consistency to perform like this.”
After five matches, it would be premature to expect complete fluency from a side adapting to a new manager and operating without Mohamed Salah. Such changes take time, and Liverpool’s early weeks have already shown how uneven that process can be.
Fatigue has become a clear thread in their recent struggles. Following the Fulham match, Iraola highlighted a lack of “freshness” and suggested physical issues were more damaging than tactical ones.
The schedule has played its part. Liverpool’s first week with more than one match of the Iraola tenure included a win over Atlético Madrid on Wednesday before the trip to Fulham on Saturday. That sort of turnaround makes it difficult for any manager to keep every player fresh.
To ease the load, Iraola would have to alter training methods and prioritise recovery, even if that slows the team’s understanding of his run-first approach. There is rarely a clean solution.
The fixtures keep coming. Liverpool face Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday, then host Bournemouth, Iraola’s former employers, in the Premier League on Sunday before the international break.
Aston Villa
Premier League Gameweek 4 predictions: derby day heads the weekend card
A full set of Gameweek 4 score predictions, including the Manchester derby and Arsenal’s trip.
The first midweek stretch of the season has already brought Champions League and Carabao Cup action, and the Premier League schedule now tightens again around Gameweek 4.
Sunday’s Manchester derby is the clear centrepiece, but there is plenty elsewhere to weigh up, from Chelsea and Liverpool enjoying home advantage to Arsenal facing a testing trip away from home.
Here is a revised look at how the weekend may unfold, based strictly on the evidence from recent form, results and context in the draft.
Aston Villa are tipped to edge Nottingham Forest 2-1, with both sides still searching for their first league win and Villa Park likely to favour the home team. Bournemouth and Brentford could cancel each other out in a 1-1 draw, while Chelsea are expected to make short work of Hull and win 3-0 as their attack meets a defence that has impressed but may not be able to sustain that level.
Crystal Palace are backed to beat Ipswich 2-1 after a timely lift in form, and Liverpool are forecast to defeat Fulham 3-1, with the hosts carrying momentum into the fixture. Tottenham and Everton look set for a 1-1 draw, a result that would fit the recent frustrations around Spurs and the unbeaten start made by the visitors.
Arsenal are predicted to keep their perfect start going with a narrow 1-0 win at Sunderland, while Brighton are expected to leave Coventry with a 3-1 victory. The weekend’s biggest game, Man Utd against Man City, is called as another 1-1 draw, reflecting uncertainty on both sides despite City’s winning run.
Monday closes with Leeds against Newcastle, a meeting that could finish 2-2 after both clubs have shown enough going forward to suggest another open contest.
Fulham
Gakpo offers Liverpool a timely injury boost ahead of weekend return test
Gakpo could return this weekend, while Barcola and Kerkez were both eased by cramp fears.
Andoni Iraola has said Cody Gakpo “has a chance” of being available this weekend after missing Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Atlético Madrid.
The Liverpool forward, who has registered four goal involvements in three appearances this season, was left out because of an adductor problem. Before kick-off against Atléti, Iraola gave a positive assessment of the situation and suggested the issue is not a serious one.
“Cody finished the game the other day against Ipswich with some adductor issues. Both sides. Nothing specific,” Iraola revealed before kickoff against Atléti.
“[It is] not a proper injury. But we didn’t want to risk him, and I think it makes sense he can rest and hope we can recover him.
“If it’s not for the weekend, it’s for the next one. But I think even for the weekend he has a chance.”
Liverpool face former right back Álvaro Arbeloa and his Fulham side at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday, and Gakpo has a strong recent record in that fixture, having produced a goal or assist in four of his last five meetings with the Cottagers.
There was also concern over Bradley Barcola when he went to ground clutching his leg shortly before the hour mark against Atléti. The summer signing was soon taken off after being assessed by Liverpool’s medical staff.
Those fears were eased after the final whistle, with Iraola confirming the problem was only cramp.
“It is cramp. It is just cramp, there is no injury,” the boss insisted. “With Bradley, it’s about building his physical condition. We don’t really know, or we didn’t know until now, probably, how much he can play because he hasn’t had any minutes in preseason for PSG.”
Milos Kerkez also departed in discomfort late on, but his 88th-minute substitution was likewise attributed to cramp.
