Man U blow chance to cut gap

Just when everything seemed to be flowing Manchester United’s way down by the Thames, a tall Senegalese midfielder called Papa Bouba Di...

Just when everything seemed to be flowing Manchester United’s way down by the Thames, a tall Senegalese midfielder called Papa Bouba Diop sent a tidal wave of anxiety flooding through them.

Sitting comfortably on Alan Smith’s first-half strike, United’s hopes of a fifth consecutive Premiership victory was ruined by a Diop goal that reverberated around Craven Cottage just as his World Cup effort against France had so stirred up the 2002 World Cup.

And so Fulham’s determination was rewarded. Outclassed in the first half, Chris Coleman’s men had strived manfully after the break with Andy Cole giving Rio Ferdinand a thoroughly uncomfortable night. Coleman’s young right-back, Liam Rosenior, also shone, showing real tenacity and refusing to be overawed by such distinguished visitors.

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United will be livid that they wasted a chance to close more on Chelsea and Arsenal after the pair’s Highbury draw on Sunday. They were so in control in the opening period but were unable to turn such superiority into anything more than Smith’s well-taken goal. Steered by Roy Keane, they were inexorably building up speed, moving the ball swiftly around this pitch on the banks of the Thames, interchanging well, particularly when possession fell at the clever feet of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Fulham survived until just the half-hour mark when United went through the gears, Paul Scholes sending Ronaldo flying down the right. The Portuguese winger’s contest with Carlos Bocanegra had already threatened fireworks, yet Fulham’s left-back was left choking on Ronaldo’s smoke-trails.

He crossed low and hard and Smith, United’s lone striker, was soon in possession. After his initial effort was blocked, Smith regained the ball with a diving challenge on Sylvain Legwinski which angered the Hammersmith End.

Smith hooked the ball away, spirited it around Liam Rosenior and placed it past Edwin Van Der Sar with an accuracy and coolness that Van Nistelrooy himself would have admired.

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For all Fulham’s frustration, it was the least United deserved, such had been the quality of their approach play throughout the half. Rooney, cutting in from the left-sided station Ferguson often gives him, relished the chance to run at Fulham’s inexperienced defence, even moving menacingly on to a Smith pass and hitting a post.

Keane, enjoying his role sitting in front of the back-four, ventured upfield twice to threaten Van Der Sar’s goal. His first attempt rattled one post and his second brought a fine, clutching save by Fulham’s Dutch keeper, who continues to be linked with a move away from the Cottage.

Back came Fulham, working hard in search of the equalizer. Cole brilliantly turned Rio Ferdinand and fired goalwards, only to hit the post. Fulham’s persistence paid off with four minutes remaining. Pemridge rolled the ball to his right and Diop hit it first time.

(The Daily Telegraph)