Sheffield United 3-3 Fulham: Six-goal thriller at Bramall Lane sees ...
- Rodrigo Muniz' marvellous overhead kick clawed back a hard-fought draw
- Fulham came from behind to salvage a draw despite going 3-1 down
- Why Roberto De Zerbi should be in the running to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool - Listen to the It's All Kicking Off podcast
By Ross Heppenstall
Published: 17:06 BST, 30 March 2024 | Updated: 03:20 BST, 31 March 2024
Rodrigo Muniz struck a spectacular late equaliser to salvage a point for Fulham and deny Sheffield United victory in a dramatic thrilling second half.
After a goalless and largely lifeless first half, Ben Brereton Diaz fired the Blades in front in the 58th minute.
Although the Cottagers soon levelled through Joao Paulhinha’s header, the ubiquitous Brereton Diaz set up strike partner Oli McBurnie to restore United's lead and then added a third to make it 3-1.
Euphoria was everywhere at a ground where Wilder’s men had been battered in their three previous Premier League home games.
Marco Silva’s side came back strongly, though, and substitute Bobby De Cordova-Reid made it 3-2 in the 86th minute before in-form Muniz grabbed his eighth goal in eight games in the third minute of added time to level matters.
Rodrigo Muniz was the hero as his magnificent overhead strike earned Fulham a late point
It would have been a much-needed three points for the Blades, who are in 20th in the table
Muniz scored his eighth goal in as many games as he struck late to secure a point
A 6-0 thumping at the hands of Arsenal in their last game at Bramall Lane, which followed successive 5-0 hammerings against Aston Villa and Brighton, had caused serious embarrassment for the hosts.
Not only to Wilder and his players but to the red and white half of a football-obsessed city.
Thus this was a day for the Blades to stand their ground and that they most certainly did against a Fulham side who had won four of their last six Premier League games.
Do not underestimate how bad Wilder’s side were in their recent horror shows in front of their own supporters.
The run saw them become the first club in English league history to lose three consecutive home games by a margin of five or more goals. Do not overlook that either.
But at a sun-kissed Bramall Lane, Marco Silva’s upward Cottagers struggled to settle against their tenacious hosts.
The Blades fought hard for every ball and showed the kind of collective desire that had been missing in recent home showings.
Chances were scarce during the first half and the best opening fell to Fulham’s Muniz in the 38th minute.
The striker had scored seven goals in his previous seven appearances but his low shot struck a post before he blazed the rebound over the crossbar.
Oliver McBurnie put his side ahead against Fulham before the match ended in a 3-3 draw
Substitute Bobby De Cordova-Reid made it 3-2 in the 86th minute before in-form Muniz grabbed his eighth goal in eight games
Do not underestimate how bad Wilder’s side were in their recent horror shows in front of their own supporters
The Blades fought hard for every ball and showed the kind of collective desire that had been missing in recent home showings
The first half was entirely forgettable but after the break the game came to life in exhilarating fashion.
Muniz struck the woodwork for the second time shortly after the break with a looping header before United’s opener arrived.
McBurnie broke down the left flank and his superb low cross was lashed home by Brereton Diaz from six yards out.
Fulham levelled in the 62nd minute when Palhinha headed in Andreas Periera’s corner.
Yet United were not to be denied and came back strongly again when Brereton Diaz’s neat cut-back was tapped in by McBurnie.
Remarkably, it was 3-1 in the 68th minute when Brereton Diaz headed in Gus Hamer’s left-wing cross before clashing with Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno.
The Blades stood their ground against a Fulham side who had won four of their last six Premier League games
Chris Wilder looked pleased as his side seemed to be heading for a three-point victory
McBurnie's low cross was lashed home by Brereton Diaz from six yards out, making it his fourth goal in five Premier League appearances
MATCH FACTS
SHEFFIELD UNITED (3-5-2): Grbic, Holgate, Ahmedhodzic, Robinson, Bogle, Vinicius (Trusty 85'), Arblaster (Norwood 85'), Hamer, Osborn, McBurnie McAtee 90'), Brereton Diaz.
Unused substitutes: Brooks, Curtis, Foderingham, Larouci, Osula, Slimane.
Goals: Brereton Diaz 58', 70', McBurnie 68'.
Bookings: Holgate, Norwood, Hamer, Bogle.
Manager: Chris Wilder
FULHAM (4-2-3-1): Leno, Castagne (Tete 85'), Tosin (Jimenez 85'), Bassey, Robinson, Palhinha, Lukic (Traore 63'), Iwobi, Pereira (De Cordova-Reid 85'), Willian, Muniz.
Unused substitutes: Ream, Reed, Rodak, Wilson.
Goals: Palhinha 62', De Cordova-Reid 86', Rodrigo Muniz 90+3.
Bookings: Bassey.
Manager: Marco Silva
Referee: Tim Robinson
Attendance: 30,010
That led to a VAR check for a possible red card but no action was taken and the home stands roared their delight.
McBurnie fired home a fourth for the Blades but his celebrations were cut short by a VAR check which ruled out the goal with home midfielder Vini Souza offside.
Cottagers substitute Bobby Der Cordova-Reid then fired in from Tom Cairney’s pass to cut United’s lead moments later.
And then, in the third of 14 minutes of added time, substitute Adama Traore crossed from the right flank and Muniz produced a spectacular right-foot volley from 12 yards which flew into the net.