Manchester United 1-2 Fulham: How Iwobi reacted to match-winning showing at Old Trafford
Alex Iwobi tagged Fulham’s 2-1 Premier League victory over Manchester United as “A win for the memory bank” after scoring a 97th-minute winner at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Nigeria international had missed two first-half opportunities to put the Cottagers ahead long before countryman Calvin Bassey netted after 65 minutes to deservedly put Marco Silva’s men 1-0 up.
The home side thought they had secured a point after Harry Maguire’s 89th-minute leveller, but Iwobi finished a smooth Fulham counter-attack to end United’s five-match winning run. The 97th-minute strike also ended the West London club’s wait for a victory at Old Trafford since October 2003.
Drama at Old Trafford 😱
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 24, 2024
It looked like Harry Maguire had secured at least a point for Man Utd, but Alex Iwobi's expert finish in the 97th minute secures all three points for Fulham. #BBCFootball #MUNFUL pic.twitter.com/luEmY7nqSJ
Alex Iwobi is the first Fulham player to score a winning goal at Old Trafford since Steed Malbranque in October 2003.
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 24, 2024
And he did it in Fergie time. ⏱️ pic.twitter.com/79YSbLLE7m
What Iwobi said after Fulham stunned Manchester United at Old Trafford
The Nigerian was undoubtedly pleased with his team’s performance and result, remarking that they never stopped believing and praised the role played by Adama Traore in the stoppage time goal.
"I'm over the moon right now to come back into the team and get the win here - there is no better feeling,” said a jubilant Iwobi after the game. “We feel we performed really well and have been performing really well recently, it is just about getting the results.
“After their equaliser, we knew we always had the ability to create chances, we had so many in the final third, it was just about taking them and luckily I was able to take mine at the end.”
“Ohhhhh Alex Iwobi…” 🇳🇬 pic.twitter.com/EtogkbvwVq
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) February 24, 2024
⚪️ Fulham hadn't won an away game since the opening day of the season vs Everton.
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) February 24, 2024
🤩 They've turned up at Old Trafford today with a massive 2-1 win, their first win there since 2003!
⛔️ Man Utd's unbeaten 2024 comes to an end...#MUNFUL | #FFC | #MUFC pic.twitter.com/6i8tnf8zLQ
Furthermore, the Nigerian credited Traore for his aggressive ball carry that preceded the late strike.
“We all know he can drive us up the pitch and he’s a threat. As soon as he has the ball it is head down for me, sprint towards the goal and he was able to find me,” continued Iwobi. "I took the touch inside I felt the keeper thought I would wrap it far corner, but I gave him the eyes and put it inside the near post.
“This will give us a world of confidence and hopefully kick on. Everyone’s emotions are high and we will have to dust down, but it is a confidence boost. It’s a win for the memory bank.”
What comes next for Iwobi and Fulham?
Following Fulham’s first win at Old Trafford in 21 years, Iwobi and his teammates find themselves three points behind 11th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers, who host relegation-threatened Sheffield United on Sunday.
Iwobi hopes to keep impacting games for the Cottagers, whose next fixtures before the imminent international break see them host Brighton & Hove Albion, travel to Wolves and welcome Tottenham Hotspur in a London derby on March 16.