In a dramatic FA Cup fifth-round clash at Old Trafford, Fulham eliminated reigning champions Manchester United, advancing to the quarter-finals after a 1-1 draw culminated in a 4-3 penalty shootout victory.
The match began with Manchester United pressing forward, but it was Fulham who broke the deadlock just before halftime. Defender Calvin Bassey rose highest to meet a corner, directing a powerful header past goalkeeper David de Gea to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
United responded in the second half, intensifying their attacks. Their persistence paid off in the 70th minute when Bruno Fernandes latched onto a precise pass from Diogo Dalot, slotting the ball into the bottom corner to level the score.
Despite both teams creating opportunities, neither could find a winner in regular time, leading to extra time. Fulham's Chido Obi had two notable chances to seal the victory but was denied by de Gea's reflexes.
The match proceeded to a penalty shootout, where Fulham's goalkeeper Bernd Leno emerged as the hero. He saved crucial penalties from Victor Lindelöf and Joshua Zirkzee, while Fulham converted all their spot-kicks, securing a 4-3 shootout win.
This victory marks Fulham's first FA Cup win over Manchester United since 1908 and propels them into the quarter-finals, where they will face Crystal Palace. Fulham manager Marco Silva praised his team's resilience and expressed optimism about their chances in the next round.
For Manchester United, the defeat adds to a challenging season, having already exited the Carabao Cup and currently sitting 14th in the Premier League. Their hopes for silverware now rest on the Europa League, with an upcoming tie against Real Sociedad.
The loss also highlights United's defensive frailties, particularly their vulnerability to set-pieces, as evidenced by Bassey's goal from a corner. Manager Ruben Amorim acknowledged the need for improvement in this area to bolster their chances in remaining competitions.