Former Premier League stars Micah Richards and Alan Shearer have heaped praise on Super Eagles and Fulham defender Calvin Bassey for his outstanding performance and crucial goal against Manchester United.
The 25-year-old Nigerian delivered a dominant display at the back as Fulham secured a rare FA Cup victory at Old Trafford. Bassey found the net with a well-placed header in the closing stages of the first half, helping his team to a dramatic 4-3 win on penalties.
On BBC punditry duty, Shearer criticized Manchester United’s defensive errors while commending Bassey’s sharp positioning and awareness.
“That sums Manchester United up. They lost two headers from what should have been a straightforward ball to deal with,” Shearer remarked.
“Fulham’s movement inside the box was excellent. Manchester United were slow to react, while Bassey was alert. He guided it into the corner brilliantly.”
Micah Richards, a former Manchester City defender, echoed Shearer’s sentiments. While acknowledging that United defended well for much of the first half, he pointed out their lapse in concentration during Fulham’s opener.
“We talk about concentration, and yet Bassey was left with loads of space,” Richards noted.
“When you defend zonally, you must open your body and be aware. Everyone was ball-watching. [Leny] Yoro should have been on the half-turn, but Bassey got in behind him, and [Noussair] Mazraoui was too slow to react.”
With this victory, Fulham advances to the FA Cup quarter-finals, where they will face Crystal Palace, as Marco Silva’s side continues one of their most promising campaigns in recent years.
BASSSEYYY!
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 2, 2025
Old Trafford is silenced as Calvin Bassey has his first FA Cup goal in his first-ever FA Cup game for @FulhamFC ⚪️#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/VZZub4sUam
