Fulham 3-1 Sheffield United: Winless Blades beaten after serious injury to captain Chris Basham
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Sheffield United have conceded six goals in the last 15 minutes of Premier League games this season - no team has conceded more
Bottom side Sheffield United's search for a first win of the season continued as Tom Cairney's bizarre strike helped Fulham to victory in a match overshadowed by a severe injury to Blades captain Chris Basham.
The game at Craven Cottage was stopped for 13 minutes midway through the first half as Basham received treatment, the centre-back raising a thumb to the crowd as he left the field on a stretcher before being taken to hospital.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid eventually scored a deserved opener for the hosts after 54 minutes, slotting past Wes Foderingham following an excellent pass by Andreas Pereira.
United, far more competitive after regrouping at the interval, were rewarded for a positive response to that setback when Antonee Robinson diverted substitute Yasser Larouci's cross from the left into his own net.
But Foderingham was left helpless when Fulham substitute Cairney slipped as he took aim from the edge of the area, causing his attempt to loop up and hit the underside of the crossbar, before going in off the United goalkeeper.
Willian put the result beyond doubt in stoppage time as Fulham rose one place to 12th, while United remain rooted to the foot of the Premier League table after seven defeats in eight games.
Deserved win for wasteful Fulham
Marco Silva pleased with 'intensity' of fast start
Fulham boss Marco Silva called for a response from his players following a passive performance in defeat by Chelsea on Monday.
While they produced a significantly more purposeful display here, for large periods a lack of quality in front of goal threatened to prove costly.
Making his first league start since joining Fulham from Everton in September, Alex Iwobi followed up his positive substitute appearance on Monday with an influential display in the hosts' midfield.
Creating chances was not an issue and Willian's movement caused United problems, but Pereira's rushed attempt from the winger's cutback epitomised a first half of frustration for Fulham.
Fortunately for the home supporters, their side managed to secure a deserved victory after the break - but only after Robinson's unfortunate own goal had brought further concern with 20 minutes of regular time remaining.
They got the luck they needed when Cairney's shot squeezed past Foderingham and, after Harry Wilson had struck the post, Willian's low drive ensured there would be no late drama and secured Silva his 50th win as a Premier League manager.
Blades' difficult start goes on
No-one is going to feel sorry for us - Paul Heckingbottom
There can be no overestimating the impact Basham's injury will have had on the Sheffield United players.
The visitors had struggled to make an impact even before then. But, having managed to get to half-time level, they emerged from the break with renewed belief.
Paul Heckingbottom's side failed to attempt a shot in the first half as Fulham pushed for a deserved opener - and they were grateful to see Pereira blaze over at close range with the best chance before half-time.
Oli McBurnie had headed directly at Bernd Leno after being left unmarked at a corner, before Robinson's misfortune reignited hopes of a first victory.
Auston Trusty was adamant Carlos Vinicius should have received further punishment for grabbing his neck, but Fulham were deserved winners in the end.
And while this latest defeat added further pressure on Heckingbottom and his players going into the international break, it is the injury to Basham that will be of immediate concern.