Manchester United's Benjamin Sesko struck deep into added time in a dramatic 3-2 Premier League victory over Fulham on Sunday, as the home side continued their resurgence under interim-manager Michael Carrick.
The win propelled United to fourth place in the table and added another statement result to Carrick's reign, coming after wins over Manchester City and leaders Arsenal.
United led 2-0 after goals from Brazilians Casemiro in the 19th minute and Matheus Cunha in the 56th.
But Fulham battled back with Raul Jimenez scoring from the penalty spot in the 85th and then Kevin celebrated what he thought was the equaliser in the 91st minute.
But Sesko had the Old Trafford crowd roaring in the fourth minute of stoppage time after Bruno Fernandes touched the ball past Fulham's Calvin Bassey and then picked out the Slovenian striker in the box for him to smash it into the top corner.
United interim manager, Michael Carrick, said: "I'll be honest, the last goal was a big moment and the celebrations were big. That's what the game does to us and that's why we love it.
The disappointment to the elation - running down the touchline and jumping on Ben [Sesko] - is special. Those moments are what you want more of.
"We aren't getting too far ahead of ourselves though. We are taking everything game-by-game. We can be better than what we played today and I think there's a lot more to come from us in different aspects of the game.
"We are working on things and trying to improve things, but today was about getting through things in the best way we could."
Fulham manager, Marco Silva, said: "Top “erformance from ourselves. Second half, our team was better. The way we played and controlled the ball, they wanted to press us high but we never let them.
“They scored when we switched off but we kept going and scored a goal that was disallowed. It is what it is. Difficult but we have to accept it.
“The story of the game started with a horrendous terrible decision from [referee] John Brooks with the penalty he gave. Horrendous decision from that moment, big, big mistake.
“It was the first time we saw all the Premier League fans and us coaches and players. We have to take all this frustration to win the next one.”
Manchester United ratings:
Senne Lammens – 7/10: Quick reaction to save from Andersen’s early poke at goal. Saved a Wilson free-kick on 51 – difficult one to reach. Jimenez’s penalty was faultless. Kevin’s goal wasn’t bad either. Conceding too many but playing well.
Diogo Dalot – 7/10: Got central to play a ball to Mbeumo just after break. Felt the support of the crowd. A challenge against Chukwueze, but been better under Carrick.
Harry Maguire – 7/10: Blocked a shot from Chukwueze five minutes in. Jiminez got away from him to shoot in 81st minute. Then got booked, his first of the season, for conceding a penalty and fouling Jiminez two minutes later.
Lisandro Martinez – 7/10: Kept Cuenca onside for Fulham’s goal, but United’s best defender – and needed to be against Jimenez. Passed well as ever and blocked a Fulham effort from going in. He and Maguire work as pair.
Luke Shaw – 7/10: Started every league game this season and busy heading away Fulham’s crosses at the back post. Overhit cross in 23rd minute. Brought down Wilson to concede a free-kick. Less effective going forward.
Casemiro – 8/10: Splendid opening goal – he’s so strong in the air – from a Fernandes free-kick. A creditable fifth for the season. Set the second up, too, a no-look pass to countryman Cunha. Picked up a yellow card – again – soon after. Taken off after that.
Kobbie Mainoo – 8/10: Couple of good first half tackles … and suspect passes. And a smart attempt to find Fernandes just before half-hour mark. Another playing well under Carrick.
Amad Diallo – 8/10: Forced the first save of the game after getting beyond Robinson. Clever when defending too. Important player.
Bruno Fernandes – 8/10: Yet another assist as his free-kick set up the opener. Assisted the third too, a splendid cross to Sesko in time added on. That’s 10 assists and three goals in his last ten games.
Matheus Cunha – 8/10: Thought he’d won a penalty but VAR thought otherwise. Then United scored from the resulting free-kick. Cunha hit the second in front of the Stretford End, taking it perfectly from Casemiro. Put another shot over.
Bryan Mbeumo – 7/10: The main man up front again, although poor first touch from a 10th minute ball into him saw an early chance not taken.
United substitutes:
Benjamin Sesko (for Cunha, 74) – 8/10: Headed against the post with his first touch, then grabbed United’s winner, turning and perfectly placing a Fernandes’ cross. Superb goal, his fourth in last four.
Noussair Mazraoui (for Dalot,? 85) – N/A: Beaten for second goal.
Leny Yoro (for Mbuemo, 95) – N/A.
Fulham ratings
Bernd Leno - 6: Did well to deny efforts from Diallo and Mbeumo but was beaten by the power on Cunha’s shot and didn’t have much hope for the other goals.
Timothy Castagne - 5: Was given less to do than Robinson and put in a decent shift for his team.
Joachim Andersen - 6: Popped up in attacking areas with a shot that was denied and a great ball for Jimenez. Was booked for pulling back Mbeumo.
Jorge Cuenca - 5: The defender took centre stage several times for unwanted reasons, as his foul on Cunha was changed from a penalty to a free-kick that saw him outjumped by Casemiro for the opener. Also had his goal ruled out for offside.
Antonee Robinson - 5: Massively struggled against Diallo in the first half but did a better job in the second period.
Alex Iwobi - 6: Saw a shot from range routinely saved but worked hard for the team and competed well.
Sander Berge - 6: Provided some moments of quality and gave Fernandes enough attention to leave the Portuguese frustrated at times.
Samuel Chukwueze - 7: Was very bright throughout his time on the pitch but things didn’t quite happen for him in front of goal. Was offside for Cuenca’s disallowed goal.
Harry Wilson - 6: Saw a shot blocked and a free-kick well saved as he struggled to match the lofty standards he has set in recent times.
Emile Smith-Rowe - 5: Headed harmlessly wide and was then let down by a poor touch when he was found by Iwobi. Did also have some nice moments, including a run that resulted in Casemiro getting booked.
Raul Jimenez - 7: Often struggled against Maguire and Martinez but was rewarded for his persistence by winning a penalty from Maguire and converting it.
Fulham substitutes:
Ryan Sessegnon (for Robinson, 71) - 6: Got forward and played a one-two with Kevin for his equaliser.
Kevin (for Smith Rowe, 71) - 7: Hit a stunning strike for the equaliser, even if it won’t be remembered as fondly due to the result.
Tom Cairney (for Chukwueze, 79) - N/A: His free-kick in the final moments was met by a Maguire header.
Calvin Bassey (for Cuenca, 86) - N/A: Won the ball from Diallo well late on and tried to make an impact higher up the pitch but couldn’t.
