Fulham 2-0 United

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?"
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Fulham v United - Preview

Mid table Fulham must be dreading the backlash of Manchester United's heaviest home defeat in 17 years. The defending champions are still smarting from last Saturday's humiliating 1-4 home loss to arch rivals Liverpool, their first defeat in 17 in all competitions.

The Cottagers go into their 800th fixture in top-flight football hunting their first back-to-back victories in 18 games, following last weekend's 1-3 triumph at Bolton.

Manchester United are vying for a ninth successive Premier League victory over Fulham. They have already beaten the Cottagers twice this season; 3-0 at Old Trafford in the league, and 0-4 at the Cottage in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup a fortnight ago.

The Thames-side club have not experienced a home league victory over the champions in 11 outings, since their 2-1 top-flight victory on 5 September 1964.

Winger Clint Dempsey has had a bout of food poisoning and will be assessed closer to kick-off by Fulham.

Centre-back Aaron Hughes is out with a rib injury, otherwise the Cottagers have no other selection concerns.

Defender Gary Neville and midfielder Darren Fletcher have recovered from a groin strain and virus respectively and are back in Manchester United's squad.

Jonny Evans is likely to replace the suspended Nemanja Vidic alongside Rio Ferdinand in central defence.

Fulham Squad: Schwarzer, Pantsil, Stoor, Hangeland, Konchesky, Baird, Davies, Etuhu, Dacourt, Murphy, Gera, Dempsey, Johnson, Zamora, Zuberbuhler, Kallio, Nevland, Kamara, Gray, Barnes.

Man Utd Squad: Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Evans, Neville, Evra, Eckersley, Fabio, Ronaldo, Nani, Fletcher, Gibson, Carrick, Anderson, Giggs, Scholes, Park, Berbatov, Rooney, Tevez, Welbeck.

Fixture: Fulham v Manchester United
Competition: Barclays Premier league
Venue: Craven Cottage
Time:15.00 UK 20.30 IST
Channel: ESPN India

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Fulham 0-4 United

United march towards a quintet of trophies continued apace at Craven Cottage as Carlos Tevez helped sweep aside Fulham and earn a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Tevez scored twice before half-time and his double helped explain why Sir Alex Ferguson’s men might lift five bits of silverware this season - nine of his 12 goals have come in cups.

SUMMARY:
Fulham 0-4 Man Utd
Tevez 20,35
Rooney 50
Park 81

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Fulham v United - Preview

United's Wembley heroes could be asked to book a return to the stadium for the FA Cup semi-final.

Fulham stand in the way of the Reds' third outing under the Arch this term after penalty successes in both the Community Shield against Portsmouth and last Sunday's shoot-out win against Tottenham in the Carling Cup Final.

United visit Craven Cottage for the FA Cup sixth round tomorrow with a semi-final at Wembley beckoning.

The tie against Roy Hodgson's side is sandwiched between the successful Premier League trip to Newcastle and the second leg last 16 Champions League showdown with Inter Milan.

Game: Fulham v Manchester United
Competition: FA Cup Quarter Final
Venue: Craven Cottage
Time:17.15 UK 10.40 IST
Channel: SONY PIX (India Only)

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