Fulham can be proud of start to Premier League campaign but it’s now back-to-back injury-time sickeners

Fulham manager Marco Silva was left talking about the cruelty of the Premier League after his side once again succumbed to last-gasp injury-time goal for the second successive Premier League match.

Last weekend it was Erling Haaland’s penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time which secured Manchester City all three points at the Etihad Stadium.

And today was arguably even tougher to swallow.

Fulham had gone toe to toe with Manchester United, enjoying more possession with Daniel James deservedly cancelling out Christian Eriksen’s early goal, but this time it was Alejandro Gamacho who broke their hearts.

The 18-year-old Argentina winger looks a fine talent and finished superbly in the third minute of stoppage time. The west Londoners just about had time to kick off again before referee Paul Tierney blew up.

Fulham head into the break for the World Cup in ninth position and there is no doubt their fanbase would have gratefully snatched that scenario if offered it before the Premier League season started.

But just seeing out those last two matches would have had them level on points with Chelsea and Brighton.

Silva has twice seen a positive result wrenched from their grasp.

“Definitely, very hard to take,” the Portuguese told BBC’s 606 show. “We didn’t deserve it in both – and much more [the case] this evening.

“In the last game we conceded in one moment when no-one expected but this evening we played much more in our way and were the much better team.

“Even conceding early in the game – the way we reacted and our first 30 minutes in the second half they were in a very good level. We were always the team that wanted, much more, to win the game. Much more control from ourselves. Man Utd played always taking something from our mistakes and balls we lose, always some counter-attacks, with three players in attack they have – Eriksson and Bruno [Fernandes] always with the quality they have to take the right decisions.

“The belief and quality we showed, we deserved more from the game. A cruel match for us but that is the reality of the Premier League.”

Fulham also had a notable list of absentees. The headliner is undoubtedly Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has scored nine times in 12 top-flight matches this season. Harrison Reed, so busy in central midfield, was another major miss.

You can also add in summer signing Manor Solomon, injured so early in his Whites career, and fellow winger Neeskens Kebano.

“The team was not just without Mitrovic,” said Silva. “It was without Mitrovic, it was without Harrison Reed and Kebano. There are many. The good example was the impact Daniel James made in the game. Huge impact – and imagine if you had attacking solutions on the bench, what can happen.

“We didn’t have one more solution on the bench for the attacking line. If we did the game would be completely different. That is the team and we have to try and get them all in the best condition we can. Mitro is a key player for us and the way we play and create. We have to try and get him in the best condition we can.”