Winless Manchester United Squander Lead in Fulham Stalemate
Manchester United’s Uruguayan midfielder #25 Manuel Ugarte (L), Portuguese midfielder #08 Bruno Fernandes (C), and French defender #15 Leny Yoro react following the English Premier League clash between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage in London on August 24, 2025.
Manchester United continue to search for their first Premier League victory this season after being held to a 1-1 draw at Fulham on Sunday. Meanwhile, a Jack Grealish-inspired Everton inaugurated their new stadium with a 2-0 triumph over Brighton.
Ruben Amorim’s United rued Bruno Fernandes’ misfired first-half penalty as they were pegged back at Craven Cottage. Rodrigo Muniz’s own-goal had put United ahead on the hour mark, but Emile Smith Rowe emerged from the bench to salvage a point for Fulham.
Manchester United’s French defender #15 Leny Yoro (L) contests the ball during the English Premier League fixture between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage in London on August 24, 2025. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP)
Amorim is striving to improve upon a dismal 15th-place finish last season, yet his newly assembled £200 million ($270 million) forward line of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko, who again started on the bench, remains unproductive.
Despite a promising display, United suffered a 1-0 defeat to title contenders Arsenal in their season opener last weekend and will feel another two points slipped away in west London. Fulham, however, felt the visitors benefited from two contentious decisions.
United’s penalty was awarded after a VAR review for grappling by Calvin Bassey on Mason Mount. Fernandes, typically dependable from the spot, blasted his effort high over the bar.
United’s inaugural goal of the season arrived courtesy of a Fulham body, as Muniz deflected Leny Yoro’s header into his own net. The home side was incensed that VAR did not intervene for a push by Yoro on Bassey.
Fulham’s English midfielder #32 Emile Smith Rowe (C) celebrates after scoring the equalizing goal during the English Premier League match between Fulham and Manchester United at Craven Cottage in London on August 24, 2025.
Fulham managed to secure a point when former Arsenal midfielder Smith Rowe’s untracked run into the box culminated in him converting Alex Iwobi’s cross 17 minutes from time.
Everton’s New Era
Following an emotional farewell to Goodison Park, Everton anticipates that their move to a new 53,000-seat stadium will rekindle the club’s erstwhile glories. Only four clubs have claimed more English top-flight titles than Everton’s nine. However, they have not won a major trophy in 30 years and spent their final seasons at Goodison fighting against relegation.
“We’re striving to advance the club. I believe this is a significant step forward for Everton,” remarked manager David Moyes.
Grealish, thus far the marquee addition to Moyes’ squad, exhibited glimpses of the talent that prompted Manchester City to pay Aston Villa £100 million for him four years ago, providing the assist for both goals.
Iliman Ndiaye, who scored the final goal at Goodison against Southampton in May, made more history with the first goal at Everton’s new home. Grealish was the architect with a precise left-footed cross that Ndiaye met perfectly at the back post on 23 minutes.
Brighton should not have departed Merseyside empty-handed but squandered a series of opportunities. Kaoru Mitoma struck the bar, Jan Paul van Hecke’s effort rebounded off the post, and Danny Welbeck missed with the goal wide open.
James Garner doubled Everton’s lead early in the second half with a blistering strike from Grealish’s lay-off. Brighton still had the chance to set up a tense finale, but Jordan Pickford saved Welbeck’s feeble penalty, capping off a memorable afternoon for the Toffees.
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo insisted he wishes to remain at the helm following his side’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace. Callum Hudson-Odoi salvaged a point for Forest after Ismaila Sarr’s first-half opener for Palace.
Nuno stated on Friday that his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis had deteriorated, as odds on him becoming the first Premier League manager of the season to be dismissed were cut. “That is nonsense. It makes no sense whatsoever,” said the Portuguese coach regarding rumors of him attempting to orchestrate an exit from the club.
