Rodrigo Muniz scored a brace as Fulham claimed their first Premier League win of the year with a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth at Craven Cottage.
Muniz was given the nod over January loan signing Armando Broja and scored twice, while Bobby De Cordova-Reid and Cherries defender Marcos Senesi also got in on the act.
Muniz, who scored his first-ever Premier League goal in last week’s 2-2 draw with Burnley, looked bright from the start during the victory for the west Londoners.
The Brazilian jinked past three defenders – showing exceptional ball control – before being brought down on the edge of Bournemouth’s area.
Marco Silva’s decision to start Muniz continued to pay off into the fifth minute when he was heavily involved with Fulham’s opening goal.
The tenacious striker evaded his marker down the right channel before his driven cross, which seemed routine for Lewis Cook to clear, caused the midfielder to slip, allowing De Cordova-Reid to power home from close range.
Tom Cairney recovered after taking a ball to the face and seemed unfazed when he performed a neat turn on halfway, unleashing Antonee Robinson, who was denied by goalkeeper Neto after an impressive reaction save at his left-hand post.
Muniz’s electric start reached another level when he poached Fulham’s second of the match, nine minutes before the break.
Willian lofted a cross to De Cordova-Reid at the back post, who turned creator by nodding his effort into the danger zone. The potent Muniz started behind the defender but reacted quickest and scored from inside the six-yard area with a roofed finish.
Bournemouth needed a response and they got just that – five minutes into the second half – when Senesi pulled one back for the visitors.
Marcus Tavernier’s corner was knocked down by Dominic Solanke before centre-back Senesi showed fantastic composure to control the ball and score on the half-volley to reduce the deficit.
But just two minutes later, Fulham responded in fashion when Muniz grabbed his second of the match.
Experienced technician Willian floated a similar cross to that of the second goal. But this time the unmarked Muniz drifted to the back post before his first-time strike smashed into the net and past the helpless Neto.
Broja came off the bench and looked to stamp his authority on the game. The Chelsea youth prospect hustled the back four and won a corner after the visitors were forced to cut out his dangerous pass into the box.
Bournemouth searched for a late fightback but the Cottagers held on through seven added minutes to leapfrog their opponents into 12th.
Winning is in Juventus' DNA, says Allegri after Coppa Italia triumph
Massimiliano Allegri said that winning is in Juventus' DNA after the Bianconeri clinched the Coppa Italia title.
Dusan Vlahovic's goal proved enough for Juve to overcome Atalanta in Wednesday's final.
It marks Juve's first trophy since they won the Coppa in the 2020-21 season, when Cristiano Ronaldo was still at the club.
Juve still need one more win from their last two Serie A fixtures to guarantee Champions League qualification, but Allegri believes he has laid solid foundations this season, with his future still up in the air.
"Very happy for the boys, they brought joy to the club, to the fans and to me. Winning is never easy, but it is in our DNA," said Allegri, who became the first coach in history to win the Coppa Italia five times.
"If I am no longer the Juventus coach next year, I will leave a strong team. The club will make its evaluations."
Goalscorer Vlahovic says the target for next season is clear.
"I find it difficult to speak, I can only thank everyone," he told Mediaset.
"We know the difficulties we faced, in the end we achieved the objectives set at the beginning of the year. I'm sorry for the Scudetto, but Inter deservedly won it.
"We are very happy, but next year we must aim to win everything. Juventus' DNA requires this."
Juve have won six of the last eight Coppa Italia finals they have featured in, including their last two, both against Atalanta.
Ten Hag sees positives from Man Utd's season as he vows to bring FA Cup back to Old Trafford
Erik ten Hag is taking the positives from Manchester United's season, as he aims to win the FA Cup.
United have endured a difficult campaign, though they kept their European qualification hopes alive by beating Newcastle United 3-2 on Wednesday at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag took the microphone to speak to the fans after full-time, saying: "You are the best supporters in the world. Thanks for your support.
"I promise you that those players will give everything to get the cup and bring it to Old Trafford."
United face rivals Manchester City at Wembley on May 25, and speaking to reporters, Ten Hag – whose future is uncertain – sees no reason not to take some positives from the campaign.
"I see the positives, I see that this team is developing, I know the reasons why we are not performing," Ten Hag said.
"No team will perform when the whole back four is not available, across the season.
"Even striker Rasmus Hojlund, three times injured, [Marcus] Rashford, also injured, so we have had our problems across the season and that has a negative impact on the results.
"You see players performing and you see players progressing like the youngsters and that is very positive, there is a high potential in this club.
"So, there are also many positives in this season, but I can't mention this. You know why. At the end of the day, we have to win trophies. And in the Premier League, and in the Champions League, we didn't perform what people expect from us."
United sit eighth on 57 points, level with Newcastle but three behind sixth-placed Chelsea. The Red Devils face Brighton in their final game of the season on Sunday.
Orlando City 0-0 Inter Miami: Messi-less Herons held by Florida rivals
MLS leaders Inter Miami were held to a 0-0 draw by state rivals Orlando City on Wednesday, as they failed to spark in Lionel Messi's absence.
Messi was missing from the squad due to a knee injury, and Miami were unable to extend their winning run to six MLS games without their superstar.
Indeed, other than a few Luis Suarez attempts, Orlando had the better of the chances at Inter&Co Stadium.
Yutaro Tsukada might have won it for Orlando on his debut, but the substitute sliced off target late on.
Miami are a point clear of FC Cincinnati at the top of the Eastern Conference, and Gerardo Martino will hope to have Messi back for the Herons' clash with D.C. United.
Data Debrief: Miami's unbeaten run rolls on
They may not have taken all three points, but Miami are now unbeaten in eight MLS matches. It is their longest unbeaten streak in the competition.
Orlando, meanwhile, have failed to score in five of their 12 games this term; no team has failed to do so more often in MLS.
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