THISDAY

Bassey, Iwobi Turn Theatre of Dreams into Nightmare for Man United

Fulham claim first win at Old Trafford since 2003

- Duro Ikhazuagbe

Nigerian internatio­nals, Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi punctured Manchester 8QLWHG·V SXVK IRU D 7RS ÀQish this season with the Super Eagles duo scoring Fulham’s goals in the 2-1 defeat of the 5HG 'HYLOV DW 2OG 7UDͿRUG RQ Saturday evening.

First, it was defender, Bassey ZKR ÀUHG KLV ÀUVW JRDO IRU WKH Cottagers to give Fulham the lead.TheNigeria­nleftbackw­ho made appreciabl­e impact in Nigeria’s adventure at AFCON 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire, midway through the second half, lashed home the goal from a corner in the 65th minute.

When the visitors were looking forward to bagging the three points, Manchester United’s Harry Maguire tapped in after Bernd Leno spilled Bruno FerQDQGHV· HͿRUW WR FDQFHO %DVVH\·V goal in the 89th minute.

But the drama of the evening appeared not over yet.

Former Arsenal and Everton middle man, Iwobi, struck a 97th minute stoppage-time winner as Fulham snatched WKHLU ÀUVW ZLQ DW 2OG 7UDͿRUG since October 2003. It also ended a run of 16 visits to the Theatre of Dream without a victory.

Thedefeatl­eavestheRe­dDevils eight points adrift of fourth place Aston Villa who are on 52 points as against United’s 44.

Speaking after the big win, Iwobi said in the post match that he was “over the moon” with the result and revealed WKH\ UHPDLQHG FRQÀGHQW WKH\ could win even after Maguire’s equaliser.

“We always had the ability to create chances, we had so PDQ\ LQ WKH ÀQDO WKLUG LW ZDV just about taking them and luckily I was able to take mine at the end,” he said. “I’m over the moon right now to come back into the team and get the win here - there is no better feeling,” gushed Iwobi with wings on his shoulder.

The defeat must also have come with a mixture of trepidatio­n and hope for British %LOOLRQDLUH -LP 5DWFOLͿH ZKR completed a minority stake in Manchester United in the week.

5DWFOLͿH UHYHDOHG KLV DPELtion to topple Manchester City and Liverpool at the top of the Englishgam­ewithinthr­eeyears.

But the work that lies ahead RI WKH ELOOLRQDLU­H RQ DQG RͿ WKH ÀHOG ZDV H[SRVHG DV )XOKDP dominated a ragged United for long spells. Rodrigo Muniz came closest to opening the scoring before halftime when he hit the post.

Elsewhere,Aston Villa surged clear in fourth by beating Nottingham Forest 4-2 on Saturday.

9LOOD RSHQHG XS D ÀYH SRLQW leadoverTo­ttenhamint­hebattle IRU D WRS IRXU ÀQLVK GHVSLWH D wobble either side of halftime against Forest.

UnaiEmery’smenwereco­astLQJ WRZDUGV D ÀUVW KRPH ZLQ of 2024 as they led 3-0 inside 39 minutes.

Ollie Watkins tapped in Leon Bailey’scrosstoop­enthescori­ng after just four minutes.

 ?? Nigerian internatio­nals Calvin Bassey (left) and Alex Iwobi scored the two goals that earned Fulham all three points against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday evening ??
Nigerian internatio­nals Calvin Bassey (left) and Alex Iwobi scored the two goals that earned Fulham all three points against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday evening

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