1 users online

The Time Is Now

Match Report - Fulham 2 Man Utd 3

last updated Saturday 01st October 2005, 10:48 PM
Collins John
Collins John put a fright up Fergie when he scored his first goal of the season against the visitors

Manchester United went back to the future at Craven Cottage as a surprise return to their traditional 4-4-2 formation saw them embrace the attacking principles upon which Sir Alex Ferguson had built the club's success.

In a vivid reminder of all that is best about the English game, United and Fulham battered each other into attacking submission in a five-goal thriller encapsulated within a thrilling first half.

With the defensive shackles of their 4-5-1 system thrown off, Ruud van Nistelrooy struck twice and Wayne Rooney was also on target as Sir Alex Ferguson's reborn side came alive once again.

It may not work in every game, certainly not in Europe, where Ferguson would expect to be rather more circumspect in his approach and it is hard to imagine Jose Mourinho becoming an overnight convert.

There were, after all, plenty of defensive problems for Ferguson to address, not least of which remains Roy Keane's replacement in central midfield, while Rio Ferdinand is still struggling for his best form.

However, while Collins John and Claus Jensen both made the most of United's greater openness without a five-man midfield, the stage was set for Rooney to pull the strings with an inspirational display in his most influential role.

Indeed, for all the imperfections, this was the day when United threw off their inhibitions and returned to what they do best - attacking at pace and with conviction.

With both sides playing 4-4-2 - in what could wryly be termed a throwback to the 1990s - it was the perfect antidote to the caution of too many other clubs.

United's fans may have called for that formation in frustration during their home defeat by Blackburn last weekend, but it was supposed to be the system that was now outdated, with attacking bite sacrificed for defensive solidity.

However, Ferguson clearly had a rethink, with Rooney recalled alongside van Nistelrooy, with Ji Sung Park posing a free-flowing menace down United's right flank.

It was with some irony that Fulham should duly seize the lead after just a minute, albeit amid some controversy, as United's defence was left exposed by the lack of extra midfield cover.

Brian McBride's flick-on fell to Collins John and, with Ferdinand left appealing in vain for handball as the striker bustled past him at the second attempt, John's strike was deflected past former team-mate Edwin van der Sar.

But with Fulham also committed to an open game, there was no lack of excitement and United drew level after just 16 minutes as van Nistelrooy confidently converted a penalty won by Park.

The South Korean winger had sped forward and, when diversionary runs by Rooney and van Nistelrooy created a gap, he surged through it and was brought down by Moritz Volz after initially being impeded by Alain Goma.

Little over another minute had passed before United were ahead, with Park clipping a delightful pass into the path of Rooney, who evaded the offside trap to beat the exposed figure of Mark Crossley.

Fulham thereafter played a dangerous game in relying on the offside trap, but were handed a route back into the game by some appalling defending as Ferdinand and John O'Shea stood and watched each other as Claus Jensen's looping free-kick bounced past them.

Van der Sar was left wrong-footed as the ball continued unimpeded into the far corner of the net, sparking delirious taunts by the Fulham fans at their former keeper.

Match Stats Fulham Man Utd
Goals 2 3
Possession 49% 51%
Goal attempts 12 12
On Target 6 8
Corners 3 9
Fouls 20 11
OffSides 1 8
Yellows 2 1
Reds 0 0
source: skysport

Van der Sar did rather better to parry a thunderous volley by Steed Malbranque and to gather a long-range effort by Papa Bouba Diop soon afterwards.

However, play sped from one end to the other on an unrelenting surge of adrenaline. It was, in short, exactly how English football is meant to be played - defensive errors notwithstanding.

Indeed, United continued to open up the home side as Park crossed for van Nistelrooy to tap in United's third goal just before the break as Fulham's defence failed to cut out a through-ball and the officials refused all appeals for offside.

United were back on the offensive after the restart, with Rooney bearing down menacingly on goal only to seemingly clip Goma's foot with his backlift as he took aim and his shot trundled harmlessly wide.

Otherwise, however, some calm had descended on the frenetic proceedings.

Although Papa Bouba Diop let fly from 25 yards with a drive that flashed just past the post and substitute Heidar Helguson wasted a header, United reverted to 4-5-1 for the final seven minutes to make certain of victory.

The gap on Chelsea had been reduced, albeit possibly only temporarily to seven points. Boring Premiership football? You must be joking.

Fulham Crossley, Volz, Bocanegra, Goma, Niclas Jensen, Malbranque, Claus Jensen, Diop, Boa Morte, McBride (Helguson 72), John (Radzinski 77).
Subs Not Used: Elrich, Leacock, Warner.

Booked: Luis Boa Morte (f,50), Papa Bouba Diop (f,58)

Goals: Collins John 2 (left-footed into bottom-right of goal from centre of penalty area 12 yards out)
Claus Jensen 28 (right-footed into bottom-right of goal from 35 yards out on the left wing)

Man Utd Van der Sar, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Richardson (Bardsley 57), Fletcher, Smith, Giggs (Ronaldo 77), Rooney, van Nistelrooy (Scholes 84), Park.
Subs Not Used: Howard, Pique.

Booked: Fletcher.

Goals: van Nistelrooy 17 pen, Rooney 18, van Nistelrooy 45.

Att: 21,862

Ref: H Webb (S Yorkshire).

Source Sporting Life
Since 1998
"It's been updated!"