Marco Silva was hurting after watching Manchester United produce a late suckerpunch to claim all three points at Craven Cottage.
It was the second match in succession in which Fulham were defeated by a stoppage time winner, following Manchester City’s victory at the Etihad last week.
“Of course it’s really tough to take,” Silva said. “Twice in seven days for us with a late goal, and losing the chance to add more points for our table and for the performance that we have been playing.
“It’s really tough to take, but this one is different [to City] because I think we were the best team on the pitch and we deserved much more from the game, definitely. Last week was slightly different.
“From the first minute [today], the way we tried, the way we played, much better second half but even in the first half we were sharp.
“I said during the half-time that we should improve on the things that we haven’t done so well during the first half. Our second half was even better than the first one.
“We did it well, we created chances, we equalised the game and then unfortunately we conceded a goal in a moment when we wanted to score the second but the moment was under control.
“The way they scored a second goal is really tough to take, because it’s the Premier League you know, and you don’t want to switch off and they punish you.
“I think that our boys, for sure, they don’t deserve it. Our fans as well, the crowd was always there helping us.
“Football is cruel sometimes, but I know that I said last week, and I will repeat again, we have to learn from these type of moments because we are playing Premier League and these type of things happen if you switch off in some moments of the game.”
The loss marked the final Premier League fixture until Boxing Day, providing the Whites with an opportunity to regroup.
“It’s tough to take, of course,” Silva admitted. “It’s tough tonight, it will be probably be tough for me tomorrow.
“I want the players now to have a small break. Of course, wishing all the best for the players that go for the World Cup, it’s a great tournament and they deserve it, to enjoy, and all the best to them.
“The [other] players have now a small break here and after we have to start to work hard to come back stronger. That is the way.
“We will not come back thinking that we lost this game in the last minute or that we lost the game one week before in the last minute as well.
“We have to work on these type of moments to improve and we have to come stronger as a team.
“Let’s hope everyone will come [back] in the best physical conditions again, the players that come from the World Cup as well, because when we are all together and all fit, we are stronger as a team.”
