MANCHESTER, ENGLAND — Deep into the fourth minute of stoppage time, Benjamin Sesko delivered the knockout blow to hand Manchester United a pulsating 3-2 victory over Fulham in a Premier League encounter that swung wildly in the dying moments at Old Trafford. The Slovenian striker's right-footed finish from the centre of the box, set up by Bruno Fernandes' pinpoint cross, capped an extraordinary finale that saw three goals in the final 10 minutes as the Red Devils snatched three points that looked secure before Fulham's late rally threatened to snatch a share of the spoils.
United appeared in control after Casemiro's 19th-minute header and Matheus Cunha's 56th-minute strike established a two-goal cushion, but Raúl Jiménez's 85th-minute penalty and Kevin's stunning long-range effort in the 91st minute set up a grandstand finish. The statistics told a different story to the scoreline, with Fulham dominating possession at 57.6% and matching United's output with 14 shots to 13, but the hosts' ruthless efficiency in front of goal ultimately proved decisive in a match that showcased both teams' attacking intent and defensive frailties.
The breakthrough arrived in the 19th minute when Casemiro rose highest to power a header from very close range into the top right corner, meeting Bruno Fernandes' cross following a set piece situation. The Brazilian midfielder's timing was impeccable, ghosting between Fulham defenders to give United the early advantage their territorial dominance deserved. Bernd Leno had already been called into action in the ninth minute, producing a fine save to deny Harry Maguire's header from the left side of the six-yard box after Bryan Mbeumo's dangerous cross, signaling United's intent from the opening exchanges.
Fulham's response was measured but persistent, with the visitors gradually asserting control of midfield through Sander Berge's industry and Emile Smith Rowe's creativity. The Cottagers enjoyed 57.6% possession and forced four saves from Senne Lammens, but lacked the cutting edge to trouble United's backline consistently in the first half. Harry Wilson's left-footed effort from outside the box in the 52nd minute, comfortably saved by Lammens, typified Fulham's approach—plenty of possession and territory, but insufficient quality in the final third.
United doubled their advantage 11 minutes into the second half through Cunha's clinical finish. Casemiro, influential throughout, threaded a perfectly weighted through ball from midfield that split Fulham's defense, allowing Cunha to race clear down the right channel before drilling a right-footed shot from the right side of the box to the high centre of the goal. The goal appeared to settle the contest, with United controlling proceedings despite Fulham's statistical superiority. Bryan Mbeumo should have extended the lead three minutes into the second half, but Leno produced a crucial save to deny the winger's left-footed effort from the centre of the box after Diogo Dalot's incisive through ball.
The match exploded into life in the final 10 minutes as Fulham mounted a remarkable comeback. Harry Maguire's 83rd-minute foul on Jiménez inside the penalty area handed the visitors a lifeline, and the Mexican striker made no mistake from the spot, converting with a right-footed shot to the top left corner. Maguire received a yellow card for the challenge, and suddenly the momentum had shifted. Fulham pressed forward with renewed belief, and their persistence was rewarded in the 91st minute when substitute Kevin unleashed a spectacular right-footed strike from outside the box that flew into the top right corner, assisted by Ryan Sessegnon's clever pass.
The drama wasn't finished. With Fulham celebrating what appeared to be a hard-earned point, United launched one final attack in the 94th minute. Fernandes, United's creative fulcrum throughout, delivered a teasing cross from the right flank that found Sesko unmarked in the centre of the box. The substitute, introduced for Cunha in the 74th minute, made no mistake with a right-footed finish to the top right corner that sent Old Trafford into raptures and left Fulham devastated.
The tactical battle saw Fulham's possession-based approach contrasted with United's direct, counter-attacking style. The visitors edged the corner count 7-3 and committed nine fouls to United's six, with Casemiro receiving a yellow card in the 64th minute for a foul on Smith Rowe. Joachim Andersen and Jorge Cuenca worked tirelessly in Fulham's defense, with Andersen's 82nd-minute header from a corner blocked as the visitors pushed for an equalizer. United's backline, marshaled by Maguire and Lisandro Martínez, held firm for long periods before the late drama unfolded.
Sesko nearly added a second in the 75th minute, hitting the left post with a header from the centre of the box before seeing his follow-up effort from very close range sail just over the crossbar. That miss appeared costly when Fulham equalized, but the Slovenian's composure in the dying seconds proved the difference. Amad Diallo provided the cross for Sesko's near-miss, showcasing United's attacking width and variety throughout the contest.
By the numbers, this was a match that defied the underlying statistics. Fulham's 57.6% possession and equal shot count of 14 suggested a team in control, yet they left Manchester empty-handed. Both sides registered six shots on target, with Leno making three saves to Lammens' four, highlighting the goalkeepers' contrasting fortunes. The match featured three yellow cards—two for United's Casemiro and Maguire, and one for Fulham—reflecting the competitive intensity without descending into ill-discipline.
The result keeps United in sixth place with 29 points from 16 matches, their goal difference improving to +7 following this victory. For Fulham, the defeat leaves them 14th on 20 points, their goal difference remaining at -3 despite the spirited fightback. The manner of the loss will sting for Marco Silva's side, who demonstrated they could compete with the Premier League's established powers but lacked the defensive resilience to see out the contest.
United will carry this momentum into their clash with Leicester City on February 8, knowing that late drama can swing both ways in their favor. For Fulham, attention turns to bouncing back against Everton on February 7, where they'll hope to convert territorial dominance into points rather than moral victories.