Fulham – Manchester United

1. We will be bringing you live minute-by-minute commentary of Fulham's Premier League meeting with Manchester United at Craven Cottage.

2. <b>Manchester United:</b> De Gea; Rafael, Ferdinand, Jones, Evra; Carrick, Cleverley; Nani, Rooney, Valencia; van Persie. Subs: Anderson, Giggs, Smalling, Chicharito, Welbeck, Kagawa, Amos.

3. <b>Fulham: </b>Schwarzer; Riether, Hangeland, Senderos, Riise; Dejagah, Baird, Karagounis, Duff; Ruiz, Rodallega. Subs: Etheridge, Petric, Frimpong, Emanuelson, Davies, Kacaniklic, Hughes.

4. It's not always easy to know just what to expect from Fulham, whose blistering start to the season seems a distant memory now. But they got three much-needed points against West Ham here last time out, and there's no questioning the ability they possess.

5. But the Cottagers are without main man Dimitar Berbatov, out through injury, and any team at all would have their work cut out trying to keep United's abundance of attacking threats quiet.

6. For the league leaders, Nani is back in the line-up - his first start since the end of September.

7. A little over five minutes to kick-off, and this should be an entertaining evening down by the River Thames.

8. Out come the teams, and there's a good noise inside the Cottage.

9. The handshaking ritual is almost done, and we'll be under way very shortly indeed.

10. 1'

    Fulham get things going, but United soon win possession back and get a throw-in inside the home side's half.

11. 1'

    Karagounis and Baird get it away to Ruiz, who can't control it and United come forward again.

12. 2'

    Karagounis is felled in midfield - free-kick Fulham.

13. 2'

    Fulham play it long, but Rio Ferdinand is there to head clear for United.

14. 3'

    Rooney, down the left, can't keep the ball in and that's a throw to Fulham in their own half.

15. 3'

    Van Persie picks up the midfield pieces, but loses them again - a bit of a shapeless start.

16. 4'

    But then Rodallega springs the offside trap and cuts the ball back towards Dejagah, whose effort is blocked.

17. 5'

    The first break of the game from Fulham, and it could have been a devastating one.

18. 6'

    Schwarzer goes long with a goal-kick and Ruiz tries to get away on the right. He fouls Jonny Evans after losing the ball, and that's a crystal-clear free-kick to United.

19. 7'

    Corner for United - Nani plays it in, Baird gets in the way.

20. 7'

    What can they produce from this? Rooney will take...

21. 7'

    ...and Fulham stand firm, clearing their lines effectively.

22. 8'

    Not for long, though. United win another corner, from the right, this time.

23. 9'

    United should have scored. Schwarzer saves from Nani and Evra, on the stretch, hit the bar. An early warning sign.

24. 9'

    The reaction stop from the Fulham man was a good one - Evra was stretching, but should still have found the target with his follow-up.

25. 10'

    Dejagah goes on a good run and tries to feed the ball through into the United penalty area, but it's cut out.

26. 11'

    United play the ball around at the back - but then move forward rapidly. Rafael crosses, the clearance is ineffective, and Rooney, from the edge of the area, sees his shot blocked.

27. 12'

    An absolute screamer on the half-volley by Riise, just outside the area. It forces De Gea into a good tip-over, and he then claims the corner.

28. 13'

    United counter and Riise stars again, winning the ball and putting it out for a United throw.

29. 13'

    A good start to this game - lively fare, and Fulham are giving as good as they're getting.

30. 13'

    Nani does well to keep an awkward ball in play down the left, but his cross is cleared.

31. 14'

    <b>Fulham hit the post:</b> Ruiz fires in a fine effort, and it cannons off the inside of the post and out to safety.

32. 15'

    Straight to the other end, where Hangeland produces an excellent clearance as United close in on goal.

33. 15'

    <b>Almost an own goal:</b> Hangeland, having made such a good clearance, gets to the corner and sees his deflection cannon off the junction of post and bar.

34. 16'

    It's all happening. Now Evra charges forward for United...

35. 17'

    ...Rooney gets the ball and tumbles in the area. No penalty, says the referee, and Rooney isn't too thrilled by that decision.

36. 18'

    Dejagah gets the ball after a scramble and has a blast from the edge of the area. That's not at all far away, and De Gea would have been beaten.

37. 18'

    There's a tremendous pace to this game so far, and you feel there are goals in it for both teams.

38. 19'

    Carrick, Van Persie and Rooney combine, and the latter hits a low shot from just inside the area. It is fractionally, fractionally wide.

39. 20'

    Lovely football that from United, and a collective sigh of relief from Fulham

40. 21'

    Foul by Nani on Karagounis inside the Fulham half - free-kick to the home side.

41. 22'

    Forward come Fulham, and win a throw midway inside United territory. Riise takes it, but United win it back.

42. 22'

    Ruiz, in a crowded midfield, tries a flick that doesn't come off. Then Cleverley is fouled, and it's a United free-kick.

43. 23'

    Van Persie plays it into the area, Rooney gets there and Fulham clear.

44. 24'

    United, slowly but surely, are beginning to take control of possession here.

45. 25'

    A good touch by Rooney brings the ball under control in midfield, United move into the area and Fulham are forced to scramble clear for a corner...

46. 26'

    It comes to nothing, but the visitors can build again as Ferdinand plays it forward. Now Evra comes down the left-hand side...

47. 26'

    ...and again Fulham stand firm, but they are being forced further and further back as time goes on.

48. 27'

    Having said that, here's a little spell of Fulham possession. They look for Rodallega down the right. The crowd feel he's been fouled by Ferdinand, but it's a throw, not a free-kick.

49. 28'

    From it, the Cottagers win a corner...

50. 28'

    Duff takes, and Van Persie is there to head clear. Duff crosses again, and this time it's Rooney with the clearance.

51. 29'

    As United come forward, Rooney causes problems on the edge of the area and Fulham blast the loose ball away with Van Persie lurking.

52. 30'

    Evra is robbed by Dejagah as he tries to get down the left, and then fouls the Fulham man.

53. 30'

    It's all calmed down a bit after that frenetic first 15 minutes or so, and Fulham, with half an hour gone, will be pretty pleased with how they are doing.

54. 31'

    Evra is down after a challenge and receives a spot of treatment. Looks as though he shouldn't have a problem, though.

55. 32'

    ...and indeed he doesn't. He's back in the fray.

56. 32'

    Riise denies Rafael as he tries to make progress on the United right.

57. 33'

    <b>United hit the post - again:</b> Nani plays the ball to Cleverley, who lays it back to Rooney. His shot is a beauty, curled from the edge of the area, and thuds against Schwarzer's far post.

58. 33'

    That would have been a gem of a goal - United storm back again to win a corner from their right.

59. 34'

    Hangeland produces a commanding header to get rid of any threat from Van Persie's flag-kick.

60. 35'

    Nani jinks down the left, but his cross is perfect only for someone sitting about seven rows back in the Hammersmith End.

61. 35'

    Ten minutes until the break in what has been a thoroughly entertaining match so far.

62. 36'

    Rodallega flicks neatly, but the home side are struggling to keep the ball and they lose it again here. No harm, done, though, as Riether makes a good challenge.

63. 37'

    Very patient passing from United: Carrick plays it forward but Fulham clear, Rodallega beats Evans and Dejagah gets a free-kick as Nani fouls him.

64. 38'

    Duff looks interested in playing this one into the United area...

65. 39'

    He does. It's cleared, but not too far, and then Rooney barges over Karagounis. Another Fulham free-kick.

66. 40'

    Duff plays it in and Evans heads firmly clear.

67. 40'

    Rooney flicks the ball on inside the area, but Nani can't keep it in as he tries to play a cross back in from the left.

68. 41'

    Rodallega chases down an Evra backpass, but De Gea thumps downfield for United.

69. 42'

    Riether plays it long down the right for Fulham, who lose it but then win it back. Dejagah tries his luck down the left this time, but has no support to speak of and is crowded out.

70. 43'

    Two minutes until the interval... and suddenly, it's dark at Craven Cottage. <b>The floodlights have failed - hopefully only temporarily.</b>

71. 43'

    There are lights in the stands, but there is no sign of life in any of the four floodlight towers at Craven Cottage.

72. 43'

    Still dark here, and it looks as though the players will be coming off. There are only three minutes left of the first half, but who knows when they'll be played?

73. 43'

    No indication yet of what may be causing the problem. Scoreboard, advertising hoardings and stands are all still lit.

74. 43'

    And suddenly the lights are coming back on, a few at a time. Looks as though we should be back under way reasonably soon.

75. 43'

    The players are on their way back out of the tunnel. After that hiatus, here comes the resumption.

76. 43'

    The managers, coaching staff and substitutes are making their way back to the dugouts.

77. 43'

    So play will resume with the corner that United won shortly before the lights went out.

78. 43'

    Van Persie takes, Fulham clear and Van Persie, now on the edge of the box, blasts a low shot. Schwarzer holds, and he is having a fine match.

79. 44'

    Dejagah crosses to nobody but De Gea, who swiftly bowls the ball out as United move forward once again.

80. 45'

    Almost into added time at the end of a very good, if interrupted, first half. Rafael hoofs an attempted pass into touch, and that may be that for this 45.

81. 45'

    A minute of added time is almost up...

82. 45'

    <b>And that's half-time - no goals at the Cottage, but plenty of entertainment</b>.

83. 45'

    <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Fulham have had to take off Brede Hangeland, with Aaron Hughes on.

84. 46'

    The second half is under way, and Fulham have possession, attacking the Hammersmith End for those of you who know Craven Cottage.

85. 47'

    The word from Fulham is that Hangeland, so important to them, has "a knock". Nothing more specific than that.

86. 47'

    Valencia crosses very deep from the right for United. Too deep - there's nobody around who can make anything of that one.

87. 48'

    Dejagah has a chance to cross but dawdles somewhat. When the ball comes back to him, he has strayed offside.

88. 49'

    Rio Ferdinand on the ball for United, on halfway. It goes to Nani, who crosses to Van Persie. He can't get power in his header, and Schwarzer holds on.

89. 49'

    Riise tries to storm forward and is checked by Rafael. Free-kick to Fulham, just over the halfway line.

90. 50'

    Rather a soft free-kick, but let's see what they make of it.

91. 50'

    Nothing, as it turns out. De Gea catches that one easily enough.

92. 51'

    Dejagah is penalised for handball as he blocks a Nani cross outside the area. Free-kick...

93. 51'

    Rooney takes, and Fulham stand firm.

94. 52'

    Lovely combination by Van Persie and Valencia, but the flag is up for offside against the latter.

95. 52'

    Duff and Nani tangle near the halfway line, and the free-kick is Fulham's.

96. 53'

    Evans hoofs that one clear, and Riise tidies up for the Cottagers.

97. 54'

    Determined running from Riether for Fulham, but United shut the door as he tries to get from one penalty area to another.

98. 55'

    Another cross from United, but that one is easy and Ruiz turns neatly in midfield. The ball falls for Karagounis, who drags an effort wide from the edge of the area.

99. 56'

    Rooney tees up Rafael on the edge of the area, but it's not much of an effort and was never likely to trouble Schwarzer.

100. 57'

     This half has yet to get going in the way the first did: Fulham will be more than happy with the way in which they are containing their free-scoring opponents.

101. 58'

     Throw to the Londoners, on halfway. Carrick steps in and finds Van Persie, but he is offside as he looks to burst into the Fulham area.

102. 59'

     Neat from Fulham, and Evra makes an acrobatic clearance from an attempted Rodallega crossfield pass.

103. 60'

     Half an hour or so remaining, and Ruiz tries to battle his way through the United midfield without success.

104. 61'

     A ball down the line from Fulham looks for Ruiz, who can't keep it in play.

105. 62'

     Riether crosses well from the right, but there's nobody there to attack it. It was a dangerous ball (or could have been).

106. 63'

     Then the ball falls to Baird, of all people, on the edge of the area. He thumps it, but De Gea holds on well.

107. 63'

     Hernandez looks as though he could be coming on soon for United, who need to get themselves going.

108. 64'

     Brilliant by Van Persie, who gets on the end of a ball down the left, holds off the defenders and pulls it back. Baird blocks - corner.

109. 65'

     It's cleared and Fulham come forward with determination - until, that is, Ruiz loses the ball. Valencia breaks and Baird challenges and brings him down.

110. 66'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> That's a booking for the Fulham man.

111. 66'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> And Hernandez is on for United, with Valencia the man to make way.

112. 67'

     United's free-kick for that Baird challenge is about 25 yards out and fairly central. Danger for Fulham...

113. 67'

     Van Persie hits it, and Schwarzer holds it well.

114. 68'

     Baird trips Rooney, halfway inside the Fulham half. Free-kick.

115. 68'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Before it can be taken, a Fulham change: Karagounis off, and Urby Emanuelson is on for his debut.

116. 69'

     Meanwhile, Nani takes the free-kick: it's a poor one and easily cleared.

117. 69'

     Evans clears as Fulham try to break, and United go down to the other end to win a corner.

118. 70'

     In it comes - and it's lashed clear. Fulham have played well in this half, and we have 20 minutes left for either of these two sides to find a winner.

119. 71'

     And it's almost Fulham - Riether shoots through a crowd, De Gea saves and Ruiz can't find a finishing touch from the rebound.

120. 72'

     United are being frustrated, and it almost got worse than that for them.

121. 73'

     Ruiz and Duff link well - the cross comes in and Dejagah meets the cross from Ruiz but can't find the target.

122. 73'

     Hernandez swings at a loose ball in the Fulham area. He connects only with fresh air.

123. 74'

     Evra crosses, Senderos clears. Fulham can break here...

124. 75'

     Well, they could have done had the overlap ball been better. Instead, it goes out for a goal-kick.

125. 75'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Tom Cleverley is off and Ryan Giggs on in another United change.

126. 75'

     Carrick plays a ball to Van Persie, whose flick is cut out before it can reach Hernandez.

127. 76'

     Rodallega does well to find Emanuelson. He crosses well, and United are forced to put that one behind for a corner...

128. 77'

     <b>Ruiz meets it, and Rafael heads off the line</b>. That's the closest Fulham have come.

129. 77'

     Ruiz then wins a dangerous free-kick after a rash Evans challenge. It's very central, and Fulham can shoot from this one...

130. 77'

     Baird gives it a thump, and it's into the crowd.

131. 79'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/goal.gif"> <b>GOAL: Superb from Rooney, who gets to a ball down the left, advances into the area and steers low into the corner. One minute Fulham were threatening, the next United have the lead.</b>

132. 80'

     Beautiful finish, that. Can Fulham find a way back? They have ten minutes in which to do so.

133. 80'

     Ruiz crosses and United clear - but not for long. Riether crosses...

134. 81'

     And Ferdinand is forced to clear for a corner. Good response from Fulham.

135. 82'

     Rodallega gets his head to the corner, but the effort loops off target.

136. 82'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Dejagah off and Mladen Petric on as Fulham try to salvage something from the match.

137. 83'

     Nani heads back across the Fulham area, and Van Persie - thankfully for him offside - blazes horribly over.

138. 83'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/subs.gif"> Welbeck is on for United, with Nani the man to make way.

139. 84'

     Six minutes remaining as Fulham give the ball away and United look to break.

140. 85'

     Emanuelson brings down Hernandez, and that's a United free-kick half-way inside the Fulham half.

141. 86'

     It comes to Giggs, who crosses. Fulham clear, and time is not on their side.

142. 87'

     United passing neatly around half-way, and they win a throw. "We shall not be moved," sing the away fans.

143. 87'

     Fulham try to free Riise down the left, but the pass is overhit.

144. 88'

     Ruiz has a crossing chance from the right of the area, but who's there to make a fine block? Goalscorer Rooney, that's who.

145. 89'

     Riether fails to control on the right for Fulham, and United have a throw. About 90 seconds of normal time remaining.

146. 89'

     Van Persie is adjudged to have backed in to his defender on the edge of the Fulham box. Free-kick Fulham.

147. 90'

     Three minutes of added time as Fulham get a corner.

148. 90'

     <b>Off the line: Senderos heads goalwards, and Van Persie gets it off the line.</b>

149. 90'

     Then Hernandez breaks free, but Schwarzer does enough to foil him.

150. 90'

     <img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/gp10/i/yellow_card.jpg" height="15"> Rooney kicks the ball away and is shown a yellow card for his pains.

151. 90'

     We are into injury time of injury time. Riise plays it long, and United are hanging on.

152. 90'

     And Fulham have a free-kick 30 yards out. Last chance...

153. 90'

     Rodallega takes it, and he hits the wall.

154. 90'

     <b>And that's the last action of the match - an excellent game, and United's narrow victory takes them ten points clear at the top with City to play Liverpool at home tomorrow.</b>

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