Fulham manager Marco Silva has come under heavy fire from supporters after opting to start Tuesday night’s nine-goal classic against Manchester City without in-form Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze.
Despite Fulham’s spirited late comeback, many fans insist Silva’s decision not to start the Nigerian star cost the Cottagers a potential historic result at Craven Cottage.
Manchester City forward Erling Haaland stole the early headlines by becoming the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League goals, but it was Nigeria’s duo Alex Iwobi and Chukwueze who nearly flipped the script in a frantic ending to the match.
City Dominate Early Before Chukwueze Sparks Chaos
Pep Guardiola’s side surged to a commanding 5–1 lead with goals from Haaland, Tijjani Reijnders, a Phil Foden brace, and a Sander Berge own goal.
But the game changed instantly the moment Chukwueze stepped off the bench.
Iwobi pulled one back before the former Villarreal winger delivered a breathtaking brace, first capitalizing on a Bernardo Silva error with a stunning finish, then drilling in a low strike minutes later to make it 5–4 and set up a nervy finale.
Fans Slam Silva: “How Do You Bench Your Most In-Form Player? ”
Supporters erupted across social media, furious that Silva benched a player many consider to be Fulham’s sharpest attacker in recent weeks.
Chukwueze, who has drawn comparisons to Bukayo Saka, had impressed massively in recent games against Sunderland and Tottenham with an assist and several chance-creating displays.
One fan wrote:
“Marco Silva should have just had the balls to start Chukwueze… he was MOTM last game, in great form, and then you bench him? Since he came on, he changed everything.”
Another added:
“How do you bench the player who basically won your last two games? But fair play, they put up a good fight.”
A third fumed:
“He’ll be regretting it now.”
Others, however, defended Silva, citing Chukwueze’s injury record:
“Sometimes bringing a hungry player off the bench works better… and playing him two games straight isn’t easy with his injuries.”
Silva Responds as AFCON Looms
Marco Silva later admitted he might have integrated Chukwueze earlier in the game but praised his “electric” impact, suggesting greater trust in the winger moving forward.
With AFCON 2025 around the corner, Chukwueze’s form is a welcome boost for Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle, and performances like this only intensify calls for him to start regularly for both club and country.
