A win for Fulham or Everton at Craven Cottage on Saturday (15:00 GMT) in the Premier League would keep their outside hopes of European qualification alive.
The two sides are locked on 34 points and a minus-one goal difference heading into this weekend's fixture. Just two points separate Fulham and Everton — ninth and 10th respectively — from Brentford in seventh.
Fulham would have been just one point back had they made their late comeback at Manchester United stick, only to be denied at the last by Benjamin Šeško. By contrast, the Blues snatched a point at Brighton & Hove Albion thanks to a 97th-minute equaliser from Beto.
Full value at the Cottage
Having come back from two goals down against United to level at 2-2, Marco Silva would have been delighted had his team held out for a point. But there was a sting in the tail at Old Trafford for his in-form side.
For Fulham, late drama one way or the other has been a trademark of late. They also lost at Leeds United in injury time last month, although they have dished out a few heartbreakers of their own lately too.
In addition to the 85th and 91st-minute goals they scored at United, Fulham netted a 91st-minute winner against Brighton, an 81st-minute winner against Chelsea and a 96th-minute equaliser against Liverpool.
Since Boxing Day, Fulham have scored seven goals after the 80th minute, which is four more than any other team.
Perhaps it is no surprise that Silva's side typically come on strong late in games. They are the least aggressive pressing team in the division and Brighton are the only side to have made more substitutions than them this season – albeit by just one, with Fulham having made 112.
The team who have used the fewest substitutes this season? Their opponents on Saturday.
Everton energised after half-time
A lack of in-game changes did not stop the Blues battling back well at Brighton to earn a deserved point.
The Toffees were woeful in the first half and went through the opening 45 minutes of a match without having a shot for the third time this season – more than any other team.
While those slow starts will be a concern for manager David Moyes, he will take some comfort from the way his side have responded. Against Leeds United and Brighton, they recovered well to earn draws.
The Beto goal also preserved Everton's impressive recent away record. They have won four, drawn three and lost just one of their last eight matches on the road, conceding only four goals in that time.
Moyes will also be hopeful that the arrival of Tyrique George on loan from Chelsea can give his side an extra edge in the final third.
The 19-year-old is capable playing on either flank or as a centre-forward. He has one Premier League goal to his name so far — for the Blues against Fulham at Craven Cottage last season.
