Saturday, 2 February 2013

Fulham v Manchester United: live - Telegraph.co.uk

47 mins Dejagh twists and turns down right flank but misses opportunity to centre and loses out to Evra.

46 mins Second half under way and Fulham make one change with Hughes coming on to replace Hangeland...before he scores an own goal. Official line is defender has taken a 'knock'.

45+1 mins Riether tries to weave his way through United defence down right but he walks into trouble and the ref blows for half-time.

43 mins We're back under way but Fulham manage to clear the danger from a Van Persie corner, the Dutchman picks up the ball again, this time on the edge of the area, and his low shot is saved by Schwarzer. That's the most we've seen from Van Persie this half. He's been very quiet by his standards.

UPDATE: the lights are coming back on, slowly but surely. Players are emerging from the tunnel, if you can call it that at Craven Cottage, more like alleyway and the game will be restarted - albeit for a couple of minutes and then it will be half-time anyway.

GAME HELD UP: The players are led off the field of play as the blackout continues at Fulham. Referee Kevin Friend makes decision to call game to a halt for time being while they fix the problem.

42 mins The lights are out at Craven Cottage. The only lights working are the advertising hoardings. Ooooh spooky.

41 mins More patient build up from United but Fulham intercept and Dejagh goes on the rampage before he runs into a brick wall.

39 mins Duff loops in a free-kick from the right but Evans heads clear and United try to break quickly.

36 mins Nani takes on Riether again but the left-back has been equal to everything he's tried so far. United switch it over to the right for Valencia and patient build up later and Fulham win possession back.

32 mins Cleverley finds Rooney on the edge of the area and the England forward bends a shot which comes back off the post. That's the fourth time the woodwork has taken a beating this evening already and we're only just over half-an-hour into proceedings.

29 mins Evra is laid flat out on the floor after being caught in the middle of Evans's leap with Ruiz. Cameras centre in on Rafael boots which show he's actually wearing his brother Fabio's boots leading us to wonder what his sibling turned out for against Norwich earlier today. Probably his second pair, or his third or...

27 mins Dejagh takes the ball to the byline but is caught in a United defensive sandwich and the ball is ushered out for another corner.

25 mins Hangeland avoids getting his head on the next set-piece which comes to nothing. Carrick picks up a loose ball and tries to find Valencia in space through the middle but the winger can't latch onto the ball despite his best efforts.

24 mins Rooney plays in Nani down the left and he cuts inside but his run is checked and cross blocked for another corner. Hangeland time again?

21 mins After a flurry of chances both teams struggle to string a few passes together with game maintaining a blistering pace. It is cold out there, just ask glove-wearing Nani. Scrub that, Nani always wears gloves whatever the weather.

18 mins If ever a game lived up to the 'end-to-end' cliche it's this one. In a flash Fulham break forward in numbers and this time Dejagh lets fly with a rasping effort just inside the box which swerves just wide of De Gea's left-hand post.

17 mins Rooney charges into Hangeland in the box and falls to the turf claiming a penalty, nothing's doing though.

16 mins Hangeland seems hell bent on scoring an own goal this evening. The defender has just got his head on another United corner and finds the cross-bar this time.

15 mins Fulham switch from defence to attack in a split second. Riise lays off to Ruiz on edge of area and he drills his shot against the foof the post.

14 mins Nani manages to keep in a long pass from Rooney on the byline but he can't centre and Fulham are back on the attack.

10 mins Riise lets rip with a 20-yard thunderbolt which gives De Gea all sorts of problems. He manages to get his fingertips to it to push it over the bar.

8 mins Schwarzer denies United early lead, reaching out to prevent Hangeland heading an own goal from the corner before Evra must score but hits the bar, Riether then clears off line from Rooney and Schwarzer saves a second Evra effort to keep it all level.

7 mins Rooney whips in first corner of the match but Fulham clear their lines. Valencia picks up the ball down the right but his centre is blocked for a second corner.

5 mins Ruiz tries to walk his way through United defence but Evans is equal to it and when Fulham man fouls him, United clear the danger. Lively start from both sides now.

4 mins Rodallega is played through by Ruiz but decides to centre for Dejagh who pulls the trigger but his effort is blocked.

3 mins Cleverley picks up loose ball on edge of area and distributes out wide but Fulham thwart attack.

1 min Schwarzer darts to edge of penalty area and clears as United press early.

And we're underway...

17.25 Great stat from Ray Stubbs. The team leading the Premier League on Feb 1 has gone on to win the title for the last 10 seasons. Might as well all go home now then.

17.20 Fulham victories over United are few and far between over the last few years. Here's one the Fulham fans will remember from March 2009 - their first win over their nemesis in 45 years on home turf. Their 2-0 win was made extra special by the sendings off of Paul Scholes and Rooney, the latter taking his dismissal out on the corner flag as he made his way for the tunnel. Tut, tut.

The boy has learnt from his errors, though.

17.10 Robin van Persie will take over spot-kick duties today if the case arises after Wayne Rooney admitted he no longer deserves the role.

With a record of nine penalties from 27 attempts for United, Rooney felt it best the baton was handed over.

Quote It was my choice. I went in to speak with the manager and said I'd spoken with Robin and told him he could take them."

17.00 Afternoon and welcome as Man United look to stretch their lead at the top of the table to 10 points before rivals City take on Liverpool tomorrow afternoon. On paper it looks like it could be another straightforward trip to Craven Cottage with Sir Alex Ferguson's men having won six and drawn one of their latest seven encounters - their most recent success coming seven days ago in the FA Cup fourth round.

Luckily for Fulham they have extra flair and firepower in their ranks today courtesy of Martin Jol's little venture into the transfer window this week.

Dutch midfielder Urby Emmanuelson has joined from AC Milan and Emmanuel Frimpong has left Arsenal to take a dip into life in the west end until the end of the season.

Team News

Nani and Rio Ferdinand return for United as Ferguson makes five changes from side who beat Southampton in midweek.

Antonio Valencia, Rafael and Tom Cleverley are back in for United with Rooney and Van Persie leading the line.

Only one of Fulham's deadline-day arrivals, Emmanuelson, makes the bench for the hosts, who are missing former United striker Dimitar Berbatov with a hamstring injury.

United: De Gea; Da Silva, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Nani; Rooney, Van Persie.

Fulham: Schwarzer; Riether, Hangeland, Senderos, Riise; Duff, Baird, Karagounis, Dejagh; Ruiz, Rodallega.

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