Saturday February 2, 2013 Day 25 Finished Craven Cottage

  1. Premier League - Rooney steers United past Fulham

    Premier League - Rooney steers United past Fulham

    Wayne Rooney came up trumps for Manchester United with a late winner in a 1-0 Premier League victory at Fulham. More

  • Live Commentary

    Time:90'
    • Fulham
    • Manchester United
    • - Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match, along with every Premier League game, from 00:01 on Monday morning (UK only).
    • 90+5' FULL TIME: Rodallega's effort straight into the United wall - and that is that. United hang on, and Rooney's moment of class was the difference.
    • 90+4' Free kick for Fulham in a strikeable position for the Cottagers. Fergie is FURIOUS. But Fulham have one more chance....
    • 90+3' One last long ball forward from Riether as Fulham search for the draw...
    • 90+2' RVP CLEARS OFF THE LINE! Senderos's header is goalbound but it's the striker who denies them.
    • 90+1' Emanuelson wins a corner - Fulham throw the bodies forward.
    • 90' Three more minutes to play in this one; United still have work to do.
    • 89' Rooney makes a desperate diving block of a Ruiz shot on the edge of the area. This match is not won yet for the league leaders.
    • 88' Manchester United have only dropped 2 points from winning positions this season. However, that was in their last away Premier League match at Tottenham in a 1-1 draw. Ex-Fulham star Clint Dempsey scored the late equaliser for Spurs. (Infostrada)
    • 87' Evans rides a couple of tackles and pushes forward from defence, but has the footballing equivalent of vertigo when he realises how far upfield he is.
    • 86' Senderos cuts out Evra's run on the edge of the area. No hopes of a penalty there, though.
    • 85' Hernandez fouled on the right wing, and that leaves Giggs with a chance to knock in a set piece.
    • 84' Final United change: Welbeck replaces Nani.
    • 83' RVP! Rooney breaks upfield for United once more. He swaps passes with the Dutchman, then spreads the ball wide for Nani to cross - RVP skies his scissor-kick finish, but was offside regardless.
    • 83' Wayne Rooney has scored 5 goals in his last 5 Premier League appearances against Fulham. (Infostrada)
    • 82' Fulham change: Mladen Petric replaces Ashkan Dejagah.
    • 81' Ferdinand has to nod over the bar under pressure from Rodallega. Fulham coming forward and pressing for an equaliser. Duff with the corner, Hughes gets there first, but can't keep it down.
    • 80' If United can hold on, they'd lead the league by 10 points tonight. This could be a priceless victory as Fergie's men push for the title.
    • 79' ROONEY SCORES! UNITED LEAD! Fulham had pressured, but the league leaders are the ones who strike. Senderos misses a header, Rooney steals in on the left, and slides a shot into the far corner.
    • 78' Baird strikes a complicated free kick with two players rolling the ball - it doesn't come off at all. High and wide.
    • 77' Evans fouls Ruiz in a dangerous spot on the edge of the area. Fulham really finishing the match strongly.
    • 77' RAFAEL HEADS OFF THE LINE! Ruiz with the final touch at the far post as United fail to deal with a corner.
    • 76' Evans has to cut out a cross by thundering a header over his own bar. Emanuelson has made a very bright start to his Fulham career.
    • 75' Ryan Giggs on for Tom Cleverley. His 100th appearance as a substitute, apparently.
    • 74' Dejagah can lead a Fulham breakaway, and there's support from Riether, but that's a tame effort from the Iranian to find him. Long run from the full-back for not a lot.
    • 73' A couple of good minutes there for Fulham. Chicharito almost responds, however, but swings and misses at a bouncing ball in the box.
    • 72' FULHAM CLOSE! Riise knocks Nani off the ball with ease and sends Duff upfield - he combines with Ruiz and Dejagah's header off target under pressure from Evra!
    • 71' RIETHER AND RUIZ CLOSE! The full-back almost slips his low shot past De Gea, and Ruiz cannot steer the rebound on target. Good work again from the United keeper.
    • 70' Manchester United's last official match that ended in a goalless draw was played 22 months ago: Newcastle – Man Utd in the Premier League on 19 April 2011. (Infostrada)
    • 69' Evans with a critical interception as Fulham moved the ball quickly via Emanuelson and Rodallega.
    • 68' Fulham make their change as well - Karagounis off, Emanuelson on for his debut.
    • 67' The free kick is nicely struck by Robin Van Persie, aimed at the far post. But it just doesn't have the requisite power to worry Schwarzer.
    • 66' Here's the change: Valencia off, Hernandez on.
    • 65' This time Baird brings down Valencia as he cuts down the middle - and that's a very useful free kick for the league leaders, and a booking for Baird to boot.
    • 64' RVP! Wonderful play in an awkward spot on the left, manages to wriggle down the byline and cut back for Nani, but it's Baird who gets back in time to block the shot.
    • 63' Looks like United are readying a change - Hernandez getting prepared to take the field.
    • 62' Baird with a decent effort! Made by Rodallega and Dejagah, who tee up the midfielder, but De Gea has been excellent at shot-stopping today.
    • 61' Rafael punished for jumping into the back of Bryan Ruiz - Ferguson not at all impressed by that decision - but then when is he ever happy when a call doesn't go United's way?
    • 60' Rodallega plays in a teasing ball towards the right, and Evra has to intercept acrobatically. Fulham pressing, but there hasn't been a clear-cut chance for either side in the second half as yet.
    • 59' Emanuelson is up, warming up on the touchline. How long until he makes his debut for the Cottagers?
    • 58' Carrick wins the ball in midfield and goes route one to RVP... but the striker is offside on this occasion.
    • 57' Manchester United have lost two away Premier League matches this season, both 1-0 at Everton and Norwich. On both occasions the score-line was 0-0 at half-time. (Infostrada)
    • 56' At the other end Rafael is played in by a flick from Rooney - his shot is on his weaker left foot and just over the bar without threatening Schwarzer's goal.
    • 55' Whoops - Ferdinand shows great anticipation to cut out a through ball from Ruiz, but then runs upfield and is dispossessed, allowing Karagounis to steal in behind him. The Greek's shot could have been better.
    • 54' Hughes has to head out as Rooney threatens to break past him. Fulham holding their own, but United on the front foot here.
    • 53' United worked backwards from the free kick until Valencia steals down the right. But there's an offside before he can deliver a cross.
    • 52' Dejagah punished for a handball - that was a little cynical, but it only costs him a free kick.
    • 51' This is the first time in the Premier League that a meeting between these two teams at Fulham is goalless at half-time. The only other time it was level at the break was in February 2007, when Man Utd won 2-1 after a 1-1 half-time score. (Infostrada)
    • 50' Riise collapses after a challenge with Rafael - but there didn't look much wrong with that. Kevin Friend awards a free kick nonetheless.
    • 49' Nani to Van Persie with a cross from the left, but the Dutchman couldn't get enough power behind his header to test Schwarzer.
    • 48' It's cold in London today, but that's still an extraordinary scarf and hat combination from Fulham owner Mohamed Al-Fayed. He probably isn't cold any more.
    • 47' Valencia with a cross on the right that is significantly overhit. Fulham get going on the right with Riether.
    • 46' United begin the second half! One change at half-time - Aaron Hughes replaces Hangeland for Fulham.
    • - Don't forget that you can keep up with all the latest news on Eurosport by following us on Twitter @EurosportCom_En - Here's the link!
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    • 45+1' HALF TIME: Eventually we get to the interval. Four times the woodwork was struck, the floodlights failed - it had everything except a goal.
    • 45' Just the one additional minute to be played. It's fizzling out here at Craven Cottage.
    • 44' After all the that excitement the half is almost over. Next decision for the refereeing team - how much stoppage time was there?
    • 43' Two and a half minutes of the half left - the corner is cleared, but the ball comes back to RVP who fires from just outside the area. Close, but saved.
    • - So we resume with a corner - Van Persie ready to take it. Still waiting for exact confirmation of how much time there is on the clock.
    • - In the meantime, a prediction on Twitter: "Manchester united 3-1 fulham( van perise , rooney , nani and ruiz)" says Eknoor97 - what do you think? FOLLOW!
    • - The players are coming back out on to the field. No need for another warm-up, apparently - they've not been off long enough.
    • - Yes - looks like the lights are all coming back, one by one. We've still got a bit of the first half to finish.
    • - A handful of lights on one floodglight is now working. Let there be light....
    • - Not much news for the moment - as is always the way with these things, nobody quite knows what has gone wrong yet - when we know, we'll pass it on.
    • 46' The players are going off three minutes short of half time. I'll stop the clock for now - when and if we come back on, we're roughly 44 minutes through.
    • 45' The players are gathered in the middle of the field. The referee now has to work out how long to keep the players out there, and what likelihood there is of getting the lights back on any time soon.
    • 44' Everyone taking a picture of the dark on their smartphones (not sure what it's going to come out like...) but the result is quite charming, with lots of flashing lights in the darkness.
    • 43' THE FLOODLIGHTS HAVE GONE OUT!
    • 42' Dejagah thwarted on the left, and United break quickly with a couple of quick-fire cross-field passes.
    • 41' United have failed to score on just two occasions this season, in defeats at Everton and Norwich. They’ve scored in more Premier League matches than any other team this season. (Infostrada)
    • 40' Clunky touch from Nani draws ironic cheers from the Fulham fans. Riether has a throw on the left, and the hosts come foward.
    • 39' Rooney floors Karagounis as he goes for the ball - he'd stopped looking at his opponent altogether and only had eyes for the bouncing ball. Rightly penalised though.
    • 38' Duff's free kick from deep goes into the United penalty area and then straight out. Not particularly imaginative.
    • 37' Evans almost caught out by Rodallega's pace and strength but recovers just in time to get him off the ball. Fulham less consistently threatening at the moment, but still capable of causing palpitations in the United defence.
    • 36' Riether forced to give away a throw as United push forward again. Evra seems to be playing virtually as a left-winger.
    • 35' Martin Jol has never beaten Sir Alex Ferguson in 9 Premier League meetings, including losing the last 7. (Infostrada)
    • 34' Dreadful delivery from Nani - he is a livewire on the left but you just never know what you're going to get in the way of an end product.
    • 33' Rooney has a chance! Nani strikes towards the far post, it takes a deflection and if Rooney had made any contact it would surely have deflected it past Schwarzer.
    • 32' WOODWORK AGAIN! Beautifully constructed move from United, with Rooney, Nani and Cleverley involved - but Rooney's placed finish hits the post rather than the far corner.
    • 31' Hilariously, Rafael is wearing Fabio's boots. Did mum pack him the wrong set?
    • 30' Evra has gone down after jumping for the ball alongside both Ruiz and his own team-mate Evans.
    • 29' Lovely stepover from Rooney, shirking away from a couple of challenges on the edge of the area. But he cannot get a decent shot away nevertheless.
    • 28' But Dejagah makes a nuisance of himself at the other end and wins Fulham a corner. Duff takes it, but it is celared at the near post.
    • 27' Fulham are finding themselves pushed further and further back. United's class just starting to tell.
    • 26' Deft pass from Rafael to Valencia - just scooped with the top of his boot. Finds its target in limited space.
    • 25' Nani gets into a good position on the left, but the cross is somewhat disappointing, and eased out comfortably for a corner.
    • 24' Rafael looking for an outlet as he lines up a throw.
    • 23' Things have just quietened down a touch in this match - after that explosive but disjointed start, perhaps that's no surprise.
    • 22' Duff floors Cleverley with his arm, and gives away a set piece.
    • 21' Rafael frustrated not to be awarded a foul, but Riise has a thrown for Fulham in a good position.
    • 20' Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie start a Premier League match together for the 13th time this season. Together they’ve scored 16 goals between them in those starts – Van Persie 7 and Rooney 9. (Infostrada)
    • 19' ROONEY CLOSE! It's just not stoping - RVP with the lay-off, Rooney with the shot through Senderos's legs, and it wriggles just narrowly beyond the far post.
    • 18' DEJAGAH! Close for Fulham and United's defence flat-footed. He popped up to deal with a loose ball on the edge of the area and sliced his shot only narrowly wide.
    • 17' Senderos and Hangeland combine to muscle Rooney off the ball after a deft flick from Nani to play him in.
    • 16' UNITED HIT THE WOODWORK! Three times in this match already - it's Hangeland who almost turned it past Schwarzer earlier who now loops a header on to the bar...
    • 15' RUIZ! Another hit from distance - this one on the edge of the box - beats De Gea, hits the post and bounces safe! In fact, De Gea got a faint touch on it - that's saved his team!
    • 14' Nani does well to keep the ball in on the far side, then puts up a decent cross into the middle - nobody there though.
    • 13' Dejagah gives away a senseless foul trying to cut off an Evra pass with his hand.
    • 12' Lively start at Craven Cottage. If Manchester United avoid defeat today, it will be their longest unbeaten Premier League run (13 games) since a 16-match streak from November 2008 to February 2009. (Infostrada)
    • 11' WHAT A HIT FROM RIISE! Lashed from nearly 30 yards from absolutely nowhere, and required a diving save from De Gea to deny him.
    • 10' The league leaders beginning to settle down now, and take control of the match.
    • 9' What a terrific save that was from Schwarzer. It should have been academic with Evra scooping the rebound in, but he didn't, and somehow these sides are still level.
    • 8' EVRA HITS THE BAR! It would surely have been easier to score! Somehow he cannot pat it in from a couple of yards - a couple of moments earlier Schwarzer had pulled off an astounding save to prevent an own goal.
    • 7' Nothing doing from that side, but Karagounis gives away a corner on the other side.
    • 6' The visitors head up the other end and win a corner - Rooney stands over it.
    • 5' Warning for United, who were a little leaden-footed there. Fulham have won at home since losing to United in the Cup last week - they should be a different test for the league leaders today.
    • 4' DEJAGAH CLOSE! Rodallega beats the offside trap, tees up Dejagah, whose shot is parried by De Gea.
    • 3' Fulham stroking the ball around comfortably early on - building with patience.
    • 2' Bum steer on our team news - apologies - Jonny Evans is out in defence for Manchester United, Phil Jones is not.
    • 1' Kick off at Craven Cottage!
    • 17:25 And you can keep up with the latest from Eurosport throughout the week by following @EurosportCom_En on Twitter Here's how
    • 17:25 Where are my manners? My name is Mark Patterson and I'll be covering this match for you. You can find me on Twitter here @Mark_Eurosport if you want to talk about this game. FOLLOW!
    • 17:20 Martin Jol (Fulham): "We've got 28 points so it's not good but it's not bad either so the only thing is that you have to pick up points. The line between failure and success is unbelievably thin and we could have had more points, but we could have had less as well. Hopefully we will pick up a few wins as soon as possible to get out of our current situation."
    • 17:15 Today's referee is Kevin Friend.
    • 17:10 MATCH ODDS: Fulham 9/2 Manchester United 13/20 Draw 16/5
    • 17:05 Alex Ferguson (Manchester United): "The effort Southampton put in on Wednesday is a reminder to us that you get three points for every game, not just for beating teams at the top of the league. We've had great examples of that over the years. Last year we lost to Blackburn Rovers at home. You could quite easily say that cost us the league. I don't expect my players to be complacent, but Wednesday is obviously a great reminder."
    • 17:00 Fulham striker Dimitar Berbatov does not face his former club after he pulled his hamstring in the 3-1 defeat of West Ham. The Cottagers are also without Steve Sidwell, Mahamadou Diarra (both knee), Kerim Frei (pelvis) and Kieran Richardson (calf). AC Milan loanee Urby Emanuelson could make his debut from the bench although fellow deadline-day signings Stanislav Manolev and Eyong Enoh are unavailable.
    • 16:55 Rio Ferdinand is recalled by Sir Alex Ferguson as is fellow defender Jonny Evans, fit again after a hamstring injury. Ashley Young (knee) is still out.
    • 16:50 TEAMS: Fulham: Schwarzer, Reither, Senderos, Hangeland, Riise, Karagounis, Baird, Duff, Dejagah, Ruiz, Rodallega. Subs: Etheridge, Petric, Frimpong, Emanuelson, Davies, Kacaniklic, Hughes /// Manchester United: De Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Carrick, Cleverley, Nani, Rooney, Valencia, van Persie. Subs: Amos, Smalling, Anderson, Giggs, Kagawa, Chicharito, Welbeck
    • 16:45 Manchester United can extend their Premier League lead to 10 points by winning at Fulham with closest rivals Manchester City playing on Sunday.

  • Summary

    • 90+2' RVP CLEARS OFF THE LINE! Senderos's header is goalbound but it's the striker who denies them.
    • 79' ROONEY SCORES! UNITED LEAD! Fulham had pressured, but the league leaders are the ones who strike. Senderos misses a header, Rooney steals in on the left, and slides a shot into the far corner.
    • 77' RAFAEL HEADS OFF THE LINE! Ruiz with the final touch at the far post as United fail to deal with a corner.
    • 72' FULHAM CLOSE! Riise knocks Nani off the ball with ease and sends Duff upfield - he combines with Ruiz and Dejagah's header off target under pressure from Evra!
    • 71' RIETHER AND RUIZ CLOSE! The full-back almost slips his low shot past De Gea, and Ruiz cannot steer the rebound on target. Good work again from the United keeper.
    • 64' RVP! Wonderful play in an awkward spot on the left, manages to wriggle down the byline and cut back for Nani, but it's Baird who gets back in time to block the shot.
    • 32' WOODWORK AGAIN! Beautifully constructed move from United, with Rooney, Nani and Cleverley involved - but Rooney's placed finish hits the post rather than the far corner.
    • 19' ROONEY CLOSE! It's just not stoping - RVP with the lay-off, Rooney with the shot through Senderos's legs, and it wriggles just narrowly beyond the far post.
    • 18' DEJAGAH! Close for Fulham and United's defence flat-footed. He popped up to deal with a loose ball on the edge of the area and sliced his shot only narrowly wide.
    • 16' UNITED HIT THE WOODWORK! Three times in this match already - it's Hangeland who almost turned it past Schwarzer earlier who now loops a header on to the bar...
    • 15' RUIZ! Another hit from distance - this one on the edge of the box - beats De Gea, hits the post and bounces safe! In fact, De Gea got a faint touch on it - that's saved his team!
    • 11' WHAT A HIT FROM RIISE! Lashed from nearly 30 yards from absolutely nowhere, and required a diving save from De Gea to deny him.
    • 8' EVRA HITS THE BAR! It would surely have been easier to score! Somehow he cannot pat it in from a couple of yards - a couple of moments earlier Schwarzer had pulled off an astounding save to prevent an own goal.
    • 4' DEJAGAH CLOSE! Rodallega beats the offside trap, tees up Dejagah, whose shot is parried by De Gea.
    • 16:50 TEAMS: Fulham: Schwarzer, Reither, Senderos, Hangeland, Riise, Karagounis, Baird, Duff, Dejagah, Ruiz, Rodallega. Subs: Etheridge, Petric, Frimpong, Emanuelson, Davies, Kacaniklic, Hughes /// Manchester United: De Gea, Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Carrick, Cleverley, Nani, Rooney, Valencia, van Persie. Subs: Amos, Smalling, Anderson, Giggs, Kagawa, Chicharito, Welbeck

Team Line-up & Ratings

  • Line-up

    Live Team Line-Up

  • Rate Players

    Rate Players

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    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.6 8
      Defenders
      6 7
      Substitution Out45′ 5.6 6
      6.1 7
      6 7
      Midfielders
      Yellow Card 5.5 7
      Substitution Out68′ 5.7 7
      Substitution Out82′ 6.8 7
      5.9 6
      Strikers
      5.5 7
      5.4 6
      Subs
      Substitution In45′ 6.3 6
      Substitution In82′ 4.5 -
      Substitution In68′ 5.7 7
    • Player Y! Users Expert My Rating
      Goalkeeper
      6.2 8
      Defenders
      5.7 7
      5.1 7
      5.3 8
      5.8 7
      Midfielders
      Substitution Out75′ 5.3 6
      5.4 7
      Substitution Out66′ 5.4 6
      Substitution Out84′ 5.6 6
      Strikers
      Goal Yellow Card 6.6 8
      6.7 7
      Subs
      Substitution In75′ 6.4 6
      Substitution In84′ 5.3 -
      Substitution In66′ 6.6 6

Comment 142 - 162 of 162

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  1. anyone know why Rooney was booked?

    From Norman P, on Sun 3 Feb 11:41

  2. I think Bogben is right. Fulham might be the surprise­ package this season.

    From patrick, on Sun 3 Feb 9:16

  3. Iran Loves Dejagah !

    From Ali, on Sun 3 Feb 4:56

  4. yeah!! man utd win again...i hope liverpool win too­ against man city, or at least draw.

    From jock uchihas, on Sun 3 Feb 4:53

  5. In ur dream Bogben.let them try for top 4 first.

    From Sanjay, on Sun 3 Feb 2:20

  6. Well played Fulham thought they were great in parts but­ gave United a great game. De Gea kept us in it with­ some great saves and one world class save. But I­ thought Rooney could have got a ha-trick. But United­ kept pushing and I thought we deserved the win and the­ 3 points too. Its ours to lose now but from looking­ back at last season I cant see United losing it now.­ Its our title and our 20th one too! COME ON UNITED!

    From Stu, on Sun 3 Feb 1:18
  7. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    SUPERMAN Mick you are a so biased its so obvious ,­ leave John ,James , Jack , Jerry , Justin , Jeffrey,Joe­ ,Jeremy,Jules to give their honest­ opinions...............obviously Rudolphe and his­ Reindeer have dominated but its still quite a few­ matches to go ........its England's match this­ coming Wed. , what if Smelling , Welbeck , Rooney,­ Cleverly are somehow injured what will United do then ,­ Van P. to play for Holland what if he gets a­ knock................you see the season is STILL NOT­ OVER, FERGIE RED-NOSE CHEWING GUM GRANDAD!"

    From Stanislaw, on Sat 2 Feb 20:43

  8. Fulham lose, but they was incredible! They were playing­ a real "English football". The class of­ players was equal to these of Man United. They proved,­ without Berbatov, their play is at high level! If they­ play in the same way, on the end of season, they would­ take a place close to the top of the table!

    From Bogben, on Sat 2 Feb 20:21
  9. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    ah well at least the utd fans aint got far to go home ,­ just a short tube ride for most .

    From Anthony, on Sat 2 Feb 20:16

  10. Am very happy tonight United we are ontop 4ever

    From Uche Osita, on Sat 2 Feb 19:53

  11. As a Fulham supporter for 68 years Jol is the worse­ manager we have had and its about time he was got out­ by big money bags Al i can see him taking us down and­ that would be a sorry moment for the club o.k we are­ not the best club but our supporters are one of the­ best and dont cause any trouble and always give a good­ welcomb to all the other teams and there supports

    From HERBERT CROWHURST, on Sat 2 Feb 19:50

  12. United all the way,glory,glory,man united...hahahaha,am­ just to happy. Liverpool should help us nail man shity­ tommorrow

    From oladipupo Omodogbe, on Sat 2 Feb 19:49

  13. AND THE REDS GO MARCHING ON ON ON!!!

    From Peter G, on Sat 2 Feb 19:45

  14. Is it my laptop or yahoo just being silly, disabling­ the comments every now and then?????

    From pupallin, on Sat 2 Feb 19:40

  15. why is nani still wearing a UNITED shirt,never mind why­ he,s on the pitch.when ronaldo left UNITED it was­ suggested that nani would take his place.if ronaldo was­ blindfolded & had his boot laces tied together nani­ would still not come anywhere close.

    From red away from henrietta, on Sat 2 Feb 19:40

  16. Another good result-three quarters of Manchester &­ half the world will be rooting for Liverpool tomorrow-­ 10 clear with 13 to go- United will have to lose 4 or 5­ of their last 13 to lose the title

    From JOHN, on Sat 2 Feb 19:39

  17. 10

    From Manchester born and bRED, on Sat 2 Feb 19:39

  18. That really was squeaky bum time!! well played Fulam­ you gave us a good game.

    From POB, on Sat 2 Feb 19:39

  19. another brilliant win for united, unstoppable when­ there on fire viva united

    From vincenzo, on Sat 2 Feb 19:38

  20. Hemin, perhaps a double funeral with you?

    From Michael, on Sat 2 Feb 19:38
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