Marcus Rashford may have scored the winner for Manchester United in the last-gasp 1-0 win over Hull City after coming on in the 71st minute. But it was Marouane Fellaini who won a few hearts at the KC Stadium for his alertness that probably prevented a fan from sustaining any major injuries.
After 28 shots in 90 minutes had frustrated the Red Devils, who looked all set to drop their first points this season, 18-year-old Rashford ensured they went into the international break with all three points in the bag with the 29th shot. Jose Mourinho’s side are now tied at the top of the Premier League table with Chelsea after three games.
As the teenager celebrated with the United fans near the touchline in the away section, the delirious fans spilled onto the pitch to celebrate with their players. Rashford was in the centre of the melee but as the players converged on him, Fellaini was busy trying to get the crowd to calm down and back off.
As the cameras focused on the group, it became apparent that the fans in the front were being crushed by those at the back. A woman in a pink jacket seated right in front was pinned to the wall and in obvious distress when Fellaini crouched by her side.
The Belgian was soon seen pushing those behind her back, urging them to give her room to breathe while he held her hand. Eventually, she was pulled out of the melee with the help of stewards before she was able to stand up again on the pitch by the touchline.
It will be an issue for the Football Association to look into as the safety of both the fans and players is tantamount in the game. It also proves the FA are right to award yellow cards to players who celebrate with the crowd – but that is largely ignored by attacking players who do not accumulate that many during the season to warrant a suspension. Last season, too, Danny Welbeck had celebrated with the Arsenal fans after scoring a late winner against Leicester City at the Emirates, for which he was booked soon after.
Some United fans came on to the pitch again after the final whistle to celebrate with the players and this will also be a cause for concern and lead to stricter security at the various Premier League venues.
Everton fan dies after falling ill at Goodison Park
While fans at the KC Stadium may have survived without any major scares, just hours earlier an Everton fan had passed away after taking ill during the game against Stoke City. The club confirmed that a 51-year-old man was unwell during the game and passed away later in a hospital.
There were police officers, an off-duty doctor and paramedics who performed CPR before an ambulance arrived to rush him to Aintree Hospital. Unfortunately, they were unable to save him and the club released a statement on social media soon after.
