Manchester United 1 Fulham 0
Wayne Rooney’s first-half winner was enough to put Manchester United three points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Rooney netted from close range after a mistake by John Arne Riise, who made a mess of an attempted clearance following Ashley Young’s left-wing cross.
It meant a third consecutive defeat for Fulham, who should have been awarded an 89th-minute penalty when substitute Danny Murphy was brought down by Michael Carrick.
Their chances of causing an upset always looked remote given their dismal away record of only 14 wins in 128 away league games – and the fact they had been beaten on their last eight visits to Old Trafford, conceding a total of 22 goals in the process.
Whites boss Martin Jol made three changes, with Aaron Hughes, Damien Duff and teenager Kerim Frei coming in for Philippe Senderos, Andrew Johnson – who has a knee injury – and Bryan Ruiz.
And the Dutchman’s tactics caused United problems in the first half, with Fulham defending well and looking dangerous on the counter-attack with Frei, Moussa Dembele and Clint Dempsey troubling the less mobile Carrick and Ryan Giggs.
Dempsey forced two decent saves from keeper David de Gea and Fulham were comfortable before their poor defending led to United going ahead three minutes before half-time.
Brede Hangeland should have headed away Young’s cross and after Riise then fluffed his clearance, Jonny Evans set up Rooney for a simple finish.
Until the final minute, Fulham were far less of a threat after the break and keeper Mark Schwarzer dived to tip away an effort from Young at full stretch.
Schwarzer then produced a fine double save, twice denying Young before Giggs should have fired home the loose ball but shot straight at Hangeland.
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This post was last modified on 27/03/2012
