EPL: Manchester United downs Fulham via deflected-shot goal

London: Manchester United downed Fulham after ‘the Butcher’ Lisandro Martinez’s deflected shot ended up as a goal. The victory 1-0 by Manchester United sent Fulham to their first defeat since November 23, IANS reported.

The Argentine scored after 78 minutes as Amorim’s side gained momentum in a tight game in west London. The Reds have now won on all of the club's last eight visits to Craven Cottage, a run stretching back to December 2011.

This third away victory in the league this season moves United up to 12th place in the table, with the focus now shifting back to the UEFA Europa League in a busy January schedule.

Amorim's men travel to Romania to take on FCSB on Thursday, knowing another win will secure progress into the competition's Round of 16.

United mustered just one shot in the first half, and Fulham edged. Alex Iwobi was the liveliest player and twice stung the palms of Andre Onana, while Raul Jimenez tried his luck with a couple of efforts that cleared the crossbar.

The second half followed a similar pattern, although there were some United fans who thought Bruno Fernandes' 20-yard free-kick had nestled in the goal when in reality, it found the side-netting.

In the end, it was an element of fortune that finally brought a goal. Garnacho had his defender's insides turning with a body feint this way and that, allowing the no. 17 to pull it back for Toby Collyer, introduced for the injured Ugarte two minutes earlier. Collyer was beaten to the ball, only for Martinez to step up out of defence confidently and strike.

Fulham came agonisingly close to a late equaliser when Joachim Andersen flicked on Andreas Pereira's left-sided corner.

Rodrigo Muniz struck well over the crossbar when free in the area, with just two minutes remaining before Amad netted from a late United counter-attack, which only allowed VAR to rule the goal out for offside. The Reds held on for the remaining seconds to secure a valuable three points on the road.