Fulham beat Sheffield United 3-1 at Craven Cottage on Saturday as the hosts were deserved winners.
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After Fulham had a host of chances early on, Sheffield United veteran Chris Basham suffered a serious injury in the first half and there was a lengthy delay as he received treatment and was carried off the pitch.
Fulham took the lead early in the second half as Bobby De Cordova-Reid finished off a fine team move but then came two bizarre goals.
First, Issa Diop pulled up with an injury 30 yards from his own goal and Sheffield United carried on and whipped in a cross which Antonee Robinson could only divert into his own net.
But then Fulham took the lead with a very lucky goal as substitute Tom Cairney slipped as he hit a shot from distance and the ball looped into the air, hit the crossbar, hit Sheffield United goalkeeper Wes Foderingham on the back and went in as an own goal.
Late on Willian wrapped up the win for Fulham as they moved on to 11 points for the season, while Sheffield United have still yet to win and have lost four games on the bounce as they sit rock bottom of the table with just one point from eight games.
Fulham finally get attacking balance right
It has taken a couple of months but it appears Marco Silva has found how Fulham can create more chances and score more goals without Aleksandar Mitrovic. Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Alex Iwobi and Carlos Vinicius all came into the starting lineup on Saturday and all three provided creativity, cutting edge and drive to this Fulham attack. This trio deserved their chance to start and with Andreas Pereira getting back to his best too, this was a very comfortable win for the Cottagers. Yes, they won’t be able to replace the goals of Mitrovic with one player but this performance showed they can share the goals and responsibility around and they could have been 3-0 up in the first half. It was a bold move from Marco Silva to leave Harry Wilson and Raul Jimenez out but it worked and Fulham’s balance was much better in the final third as they looked dangerous, stretched Sheffield United all over the place and thoroughly deserved this win.
Chris Basham injury update
Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom has provided an update on Chris Basham, 35, after the defender was carried off and taken to hospital after suffering what looked like a horrific lower leg injury.
"He's where he needs to be, with the doctors and medics in hospital. It's something that you never want to see.
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) October 7, 2023
Everyone knows how popular he is and everyone will be thinking about him."
Paul Heckingbottom on Chris Basham's injury. pic.twitter.com/7Xlf4Pd2BZ
What’s next?
Fulham head to Tottenham on Monday, Oct. 23 for a London derby. Sheffield United host Manchester United on Saturday, Oct. 21.
Fulham vs Sheffield United player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com, you can see Willian rolled back the years as he was involved in everything good Fulham did and scored a beauty late on. Joao Palhinha was as solid as ever in midfield and Fulham were so comfortable and patient.
How to watch Fulham vs Sheffield United live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 10am ET (Saturday, Oct. 7)
TV channel: Peacock
Online: Watch via Peacock Premium
GOALLL! Fulham 3-1 Sheffield United - Willian, 92nd minute
That is that. Lovely cut inside and finish from the Brazilian and Fulham deserve this win.
GOALLL! Fulham 2-1 Sheffield United - Wes Foderingham OG, 77th minute
Yet another bizarre goal. Tom Cairney is on as a sub and he slips as he hits it, the ball hits his standing foot and loops up and hits the crossbar, then hits Wes Foderingham on the back and goes in. So unlucky for Sheffield United.
GOALLL! Fulham 1-1 Sheffield United - Antonee Robinson OG, 68th minute
A really bizarre goal as Issa Diop pulls up injured and just gives the ball to Sheffield United 35 yards out. They carry on and the Blades cross, which deflects into the path of Antonee Robinson and the USMNT left back can do nothing but knock the ball into his own net. Game on at the Cottage with 20 minutes to go.
Big chance for the Blades
Cameron Archer does brilliantly to wriggle away from a few defenders and then pulls back a great ball towards McBurnie but he fizzed it in a little too much and his striker partner just couldn’t get on the end of it.
GOALLL! Fulham 1-0 Sheffield United - Bobby De Cordova-Reid, 53rd minute
Brilliant team goal from Fulham. They knock it around in the left back position, then ping it up to Vinicius and he holds it up well before feeding Andreas Pereira. His cross is perfect for De Cordova-Reid and he slots home across goal. Fulham deservedly lead.
Bright start to the second half
At one end Fulham went close through Pereira, while at the other a deflected shot led to a corner and McBurnie should have finished. Fulham then launch a counter and Willian sets up Iwobi but his shot is deflected just wide by Hamer.
Half time - Fulham 0-0 Sheffield United
Fulham started well but that horrific injury to Chris Basham, and subsequent lengthy delay as he received treatment, obviously impacted the flow of the game. The hosts still had the best chances and Andreas Pereira couldn’t quite finish as a cross was deflected just before he lined up his effort.
Chris Basham suffers what looks like a horrific injury
Oh no. This is a horrible moment for Sheffield United’s Chris Basham. He falls awkwardly as he tries to send the ball across and is receiving oxygen on the pitch. Tim Ream was over to console him and the medical staff are on the pitch. Our best wishes to Basham. After a lengthy delay, Basham is carried off the pitch and is applauded by the entire stadium.
It has been all Fulham early on
Sheffield United have hardly had a kick and it has been wave after wave of Fulham attacks to start this game. The Cottagers are whipping in crosses and causing plenty of problems with De Cordova-Reid and Willian both going close. The Blades fans in the away end are making a racket and trying to inspire their team.
Fulham lineup
Carlos Vinicius starts up top, with USMNT duo Ream and Robinson both starting too. Alex Iwobi and Bobby De Cordova-Reid also start for the Cottagers as Marco Silva mixes things up in attack.
Let's have a look at today's team: 📋#FULSHU pic.twitter.com/Vw3cHnpK0T
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) October 7, 2023
Sheffield United lineup
USMNT’s Auston Trusty makes his first Premier League start and he is playing as one of the three center backs.
A first @PremierLeague start for Auston Trusty. 🇺🇸
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) October 7, 2023
Here's how the Bladesmen line up at Fulham today. 🟡 pic.twitter.com/YPm1VKKZRR
Focus on Fulham
As we mentioned, goals have been an issue for Fulham and it’s hard to see when that will stop being an issue. They have a wonderful array of attacking talents in Willian, Harry Wilson, Adama Traore, Alex Iwobi and Andreas Pereira to create chances but can Jimenez regain his form to score the 10-plus goals Fulham need from their main central striker to stay way above the drop zone? It will be a big ask. Injury-wise Tosin is out, while winger Traore and right back Kenny Tete are doubts.
Focus on Sheffield United
The Blades will look to make this a tight, horrible game and then hope that the duo of Ollie McBurnie and Cameron Archer combine to deliver some finishing brilliance in attack. Their 3-5-2 formation will be tough to break down but Fulham push on their full backs so it will be intriguing to see how that battle out wide develops. John Egan, Max Lowe, Ben Osborn, Daniel Jebbison, George Baldock, Rhys Norrington-Davies and William Osula all remain out, while John Fleck could be fit after recovering from a broken leg.
