Football Update: Fulham vs. Manchester United- What went wrong with the Red Devils
Europa league finalists Fulham played host to 18 time premier league champions, Manchester United. Fulham went into the encounter with a good record, defeating the Red Devils twice in nine months. Manchester United, look to extract all three points from
this encounter, in an attempt to keep in the title race with current Champions Chelsea. The Blues managed back to back 6-0 victories over their opponents in the premier league so far, so United would be looking to win this fixture.
Starting XI for Fulham: Gk Stockdale, Panstill, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Duff, Murphy, Etuhu, Davies, Dempsey, Zamora. Subs: Zuberbuhler, Kelly, Baird, Gera, Riise, Greening, Dembele
Starting XI for Manchester United: Gk Van Der Sar, O’Shea, Evans, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Fletcher, Scholes, Park, Berbatov, Hernandez. Subs: Kuszczak, Rafael, Smalling, Carrick, Giggs, Nani, Owen.
United dominated most of the proceedings in the first half and took an early lead thanks to an 11th minute goal from veteran Paul Scholes. It was Scholes’s 150th goal for the club, becoming only the 10th man in the history
of the club to witness such a feat. Fulham tried to pull one back, but United defence stood firmly in between them and the goal. Van Der Sar managed double saves to deny Etuhu the chance to equalize in the first half.
In the second half, Fulham had a good start to the game, really testing the Manchester United defence. The home side finally found the equalizing goal, just before the hour mark, as Simon Davies unleashes a powerful shot towards Van Der Sar. The goal keeper
got a hand to it but still the ball found the back of the net. That put the things back on level pegging, as United hunt for the winning goal.
Manchester United managed to go up front, thanks to an own goal by Hangeland in the 83rd minute. Moments later, United were awarded a penalty. Nani stepped up to take the penalty kick, only to be denied by Stockdale. Michael Owen replaced Javier
Hernandez, while Giggs replaced Valencia in midfield. Nani took over at the left wing, replacing Park in the process. That was the turning point of the match, as only minutes later, Hangeland redeemed himself from his own goal. Fulham earned a corner in the
dying moments of the match, which found the back of the net, taking the match to 2-2. No more late dramas for Hughes likings as at the final whistle, Fulham 2-2 United.
Manchester United now find themselves at 4 points from a possible 6, behind leader Chelsea. This draw may cost the team a lot in the opening proceedings, as United are at the same points as Arsenal. For Manchester United, it would be a disappointing result
as they found themselves in the lead on two separate occasions. They would’ve wrapped up the game had Nani converted that penalty but unfortunately couldn’t do so. Manchester United lacked the much needed finishing touch and selfish play by both Nani and Berbatov
may have cost them 2 points. Manchester United would need to finish off most of the chances they make in a game in order to become serious competitors of the premier league crown or may well suffer because of their lapse in defence.
Mark Hughes on the other hand would be happy with the result as he has been able to protect the impressive home record of Craven Cottage. Only time will tell how much this draw will cost Manchester United in the long run, as they look to win the coveted
trophy for a record 19th time. Sir Alex would be disappointed by his team’s performance over all and may well have to change his tactics next week. United would be looking to bounce back from this disappointment and keep firm in the title race.
United play West Ham United at home next weekend. Fulham on the other hand would be delighted by the result as they secure a single point.
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