- Calvin Bassey’s Fulham eliminated Man United from the FA Cup in a thrilling 4-3 penalty shootout at Old Trafford
- Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey scored his first FA Cup goal with a brilliant header in the first half
- The Cottagers now face Crystal Palace in the quarter-finals as they aim for a Wembley appearance
Premier League side Fulham etched their name in FA Cup history after knocking out Manchester United in a dramatic penalty shootout at Old Trafford.
The Cottagers secured a 4-3 win on penalties after an intense 120-minute battle, setting up a quarter-final clash with Crystal Palace.
Super Eagles defender Calvin Bassey played an important role in the victory, not only producing a solid defensive display but also scoring his first-ever FA Cup goal.
Bassey, who joined Fulham from Ajax last summer, displayed his aerial prowess by heading home a crucial goal late in the first half. The 25-year-old expressed his excitement after the match, describing the moment as an "honour and a privilege,"
"To come here, it is a blessing, so I’m happy, I like to say I’m a bit of a poacher, trying to smell where the ball would go. I reacted first, put my head on it, and back of the net," he said in his post-match interview.
The former Rangers defender played the entire 120 minutes, helping Fulham hold their ground against a determined United side led by Ruben Amorim. The game ultimately went to penalties, where Bernd Leno emerged as the hero, making crucial saves to deny Victor Lindelof and Joshua Zirkzee.
Bassey praised the German shot-stopper for his incredible performance, acknowledging his importance to the team,
"He has been amazing. He has kept us in games so many times. He deserves the recognition, we’re buzzing, and we take each game as it comes. That’s the best way, don’t get too down with the losses, and don’t let the wins get to your head," Bassey remarked.
Leno, on his part, was thrilled to have helped his team secure a historic victory. The former Arsenal goalkeeper admitted that penalty shootouts can be unpredictable but was glad his side came out on top,
"Unbelievable. I think we deserved to win after 90 minutes. Of course, penalties are sometimes a lottery, and luckily we won,the goalie coach told me some information, but my feeling is more important. I went the wrong way three times, but credit to our penalty takers – it is not easy. Brilliant job from all of us," Leno said.
Fulham’s victory marked their first-ever FA Cup win at Old Trafford, adding another milestone to their already impressive season.
With their sights set on the semi-finals, they will now turn their attention to their upcoming clash against Crystal Palace, knowing that another win will bring them closer to a potential Wembley final.
Calvin Bassey: The unsung hero of Fulham’s Premier League campaign
Previously, TheRadar reported that Premier League Fulham’s rise this season has been rock solid, and at the heart of their success is Super Eagles defender, Calvin Bassey.
The Nigerian international has been one of the most outstanding defenders in the league, displaying both defensive brilliance and ball-playing skillfulness that has propelled Marco Silva’s side to a respectable ninth place after 24 games.
