Fulham 3 Sheff Utd 1: Freak own goal helps Cottagers to three points but match overshadowed by Basham horror injury
TOM CAIRNEY piled on the misery for Sheffield United with a jammy winner against the sad backdrop of a horror injury to Chris Basham.
United’s long-serving defender suffered a suspected leg break in the first half when his left foot buckled while attempting a cross into the Fulham box.
Veteran Basham, 35, immediately went to ground clutching the lower half of his left leg, clearly in agony and players nearby could not look as the stricken star lay motionless on the ground.
He was eventually carried off the pitch into a waiting ambulance and play was halted for 15 minutes.
But the brave centre half still managed to raise one of his thumbs in salute as both sets of fans gave him a standing ovation.
The game was also a tough debut for rookie ref Sam Barrott making his Premier League bow.
Barrott, 28, has been fast-tracked into the top flight and won’t forget his first game at this level with a serious injury and two own goals on a dramatic afternoon.
Despite the loss of a key player United held out until eight minutes into the second half before Fulham took the lead through Bobby De Cordova Reid.
A neat combination between midfielders Paulhinha and Andreas Perreira resulted in De Cordova Reid racing clear and slotting a shot underneath keeper Wes Foderingham.
The visitors’ luck seemed to change when Blades sub Yasser Larouci’s cross struck Fulham defender Timothy Castagne’s knee.
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The deflection caught Fulham left back Antonee Robinson off guard and the ball rebounded off his knee and in for United to equalise in the 67th minute.
Fulham captain Cairney came off the bench and was lucky when his left foot chip from outside the box hit the bar and then unfortunate keeper Foderingham’s head before crossing the line – meaning the goal is credited to him.Willian made it 3-1 two minutes into the eight of added time. Victory gets Fulham back on track after a draw at Crystal Palace and home defeat by Chelsea on Monday.
United remain rooted at the foot of the table with only a point and no clean sheets in eight Premier League games following promotion last season.