Fired up Fulham blew the title race wide open with a stunning victory over nine-man United.
Danny Murphy put the home side ahead from the spot in 17 minutes after Paul Scholes had been sent off for handling a Bobby Zamora header.
Hungarian sub Zoltan Gera ensured Fulham got the win they deserved when he hooked home Andrew Johnson's cross three minutes from time.
Sir Alex Ferguson's day got worse when sub Wayne Rooney was sent off moments later for a second booking.
It was United's second defeat in a row following their 4-1 home mauling by Liverpool last weekend and it is the first time the champions have suffered back-to-back losses in the league since 2005.
Ferguson conceded his men had not been good enough to take anything from the battling Londoners.
He said: "We didn't meet the challenge and never got started.
"Fortunately we have a slender lead at the top. We're home to Aston Villa next and that game will be crucial."
"Losing games in March and April can cost you but I'm hoping we come back from the internationals at our best."
The Cottagers took the game to United and their pressure paid off in dramatic fashion in 17 minutes.
A corner from Simon Davies found Zamora whose first effort was saved by Rafael Van der Sar but his second attempt was kept out by Scholes' hands.
The midfielder had to go and Fulham captain Murphy further punished the Red Devils when he netted the penalty.
Fulham, who were humbled 4-0 at home by United in the FA Cup earlier this month, continued to dominate.
Ferguson threw on Rooney for the ineffective Dimitar Berbatov at halftime and the 10 men began to flourish.
Mark Schwarzer did superbly to keep out a Cristiano Ronaldo header and the Australian also denied Park Ji-Sung and Rooney with a brilliant double save.
But Fulham weathered the storm and Gera made the game safe late on before a frustrated Rooney saw red.
Fulham gaffer Roy Hodgson was full of praise for Schwarzer. He said: "He made a fantastic double save and had they equalised then who knows what would have happened?"
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment
Hey Red Devil.. Enter ur comment here..