Rodrigo Muniz scores scissor kick to rescue point for Fulham in thriller at Sheffield United

Fulham pulled out the stops to sign a striker on deadline day and it had the desired effect in a roundabout way. Rodrigo Muniz saw his place under threat and become the most unlikely goalscoring sensation in the Premier League this season.

His equaliser in stoppage-time at Bramall Lane, a stunning scissor-kick finish, was his eighth goal in as many games. Armando Broja, the loan signing from Chelsea that cost £4 million, was not in the matchday squad which Marco Silva explained was a “technical decision”, and it is clear who his first-choice striker is now.

Muniz, 22, could have left on loan at the start of the season after spending last season in the Championship with Middlesbrough but he stayed to cover for the loss of Aleksandar Mitrovic and has seized his chance since Broja’s arrival.

“My team-mates and the manager have helped a lot with my confidence so I am happy but not really happy because we didn’t win this match,” said Muniz. “I am enjoying it but if we won it would be better.”

The Brazilian’s goal came despite just two days of training, having picked up an injury earlier in the international break during a session. But he did everything possible to be fit and continue his run of goalscoring that started two days after competition arrived.

“He had a difficult week, 10 days ago he had a knock and he only trained in the last two days and it was hard work for him and the medical staff but it was good to see him last the 105 minutes and help the team. It was a great finish and not the first time we have seen this from him.”

Muniz struck the post twice but it was Sheffield United who struck first in a thrilling second half. They took advantage of Tosin Adarabioyo losing possession as he tried to play out from the back. Oli McBurnie was sent away down the left and his cross with the outside of his boot invited Ben Brereton Diaz to sidefoot into the roof of the net.

Joao Palhinha headed in an equaliser from Andreas Pereira’s corner but Chris Wilder’s side pulled away with two quick goals. Roles were reversed from their opener, with Brereton Diaz crossing for McBurnie to tap in for his fifth goal of the season. Then Brereton Diaz scored another that sent Wilder running down the touchline booting spare footballs into the crowd.

His team had switched play smartly from right to left, with Gus Hamer given room to pick out a cross. Brereton Diaz was at the far post to bundle home. He clashed with Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno and complained at taking a hit to the face, with VAR checking the incident but taking no action.

McBurnie had a strike ruled out for offside for 4-1 and it proved to be the turning point. Bobby De Cordova-Reid pulled one back with a strike from the edge of the area to set up the exciting finish. There were 14 minutes of stoppage-time to the anger of home fans, with Muniz’s moment of magic coming from Adama Traore’s cross.

“I got done for a few quid last time I spoke so I’ll keep my honest opinion to myself,” said Wilder, whose team at least ended their wretched home run of losing 5-0, 5-0 and 6-0.

“We had to make sure we had to do something about the narrative of home form, conceding goals and being out of the game in 25 minutes. But when you score three times at home in the Premier League and end up drawing, it is disappointing.”