Cottagers Pied
Man United have not lost an away game in London since May 2011 when they were defeated by Arsenal. Fulham have lost each of their last five matches against the Red Devils.
Manchester United make 6 changes from the 4-0 win against Norwich in the Carling Cup on Tuesday as David De Gea,Jonny Evans,Patrice Evra,Antonio Valencia, Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney all come into the starting line up. Young 18 year old Adnan Januzaj also starts on the left wing.
Fulham make an incredible nine changes from their Carling Cup defeat against Leicester City in mid week. Bryan Ruiz starts as Darren Bent is dropped to the bench also Giorgos Karagounis after a stunning free kick in mid week also is on the bench.
8 minutes into the match when Van Persie had put Wayne Rooney in behind the defence as Man United fans voices echo Craven Cottage. Rooney had been through on the right hand side as goalkeeper Martin Stekelenburg faced the striker up. Van Persie had darted into the box as Rooney squared in across to Valencia who had open to tap the ball into an empty net. Man United fans celebrate begin De Gea as they go 1-0 up. That is Man United's
10 minutes later as Scott Parker had threaded an outside of the boot ball through to Bulgarian as the Brazilian Rafael had come across to get a little touch and had sent the ball just wide of De Gea's left hand post.
1 minute later when Parker had been dispossessed by Januzaj on the half way line. The winger had bolted down the left hand side and put through the deadly Dutchman Van Persie. As Man United fans rise Van Persie rifled the ball into the top of the net giving fellow Dutch keeper Stekelenburg doubling
Man United lead. The Utd fans had barely sat down as Van Persie scored his 16th goal in 19 matches.
60 seconds later when Tom Cleverly inside his own half had looked up and saw Van Persie running in behind the Fulham defence again on the right. As Cleverly weighted a ball through Van Persie had timed his run and was on side with space. The Fulham number 35 had got their quickly to pressure as the United faithful continue to echo around the Cottage. The Dutchman had passed the ball through Fernando Amorebietas legs as the ball had rolled across to Rooney who had an open goal and a simply tap in. The England striker did not miss as he and the United fans jumped for joy. Rooney has now scored or assisted 14 of his last 16 away games.
At half time as Man United are running riot a tap in goal for Valencia 8 minutes in and then a shot that rifled the net from Van Persie. 60 seconds later and Man United were at in again when Van Persie set up Rooney for a simply tap in.
Man United have run riot and looked very dangerous on the attack. Goals from Valencia,Van Persie and Rooney look to settle three points already.
Fulham defence have fallen apart looking to play a very high line which has let Man United in behind. Fulham have looked a most promising when Berbatov has got he ball in the box but Man United have dominated reflecting on the score line.
2 minutes after the restart when Fulham had looked promising. Number 8 Pajtim Kasami had the ball 25 yards from goal in the centre. The Man United defender had not closed down the midfielder as he had let fire but the shot had gone just wide of De Geas right hand post.
Hallway through the second half when substitute Alex Kacaniklic had the ball on the right hand side with the Fulham fans in a twist after seeing their team losing 3-0. Kacaniklic had drifted inside and shot from just outside the box. The shot had look to be going wide with David De Gea claiming it very easily but the foot of goalscorer Wayne Rooney had diverted the ball into the right hand corner and into the net. Fulham fans may sense that their is something still in this game as voices raise. Rooney has now added to his tally against Fulham but this will be a goal he doesn't want.
5 minutes left when Fulham had been attacking again as Berbatov and Adel Taarbat had the ball on the edge. The ball had been chipped into the back post by the Bulgarian as it had reached the sub Darren Bent who's looping header had hit the crossbar and kept the score at 3-1.
At full time and Manchester United go away from London again with 3 points. An impressive first half but United firing 3 goals in 20 minutes. In the second half Fulham pushed on and were the better side when Rooney's own goal reflected that. Next up in an away trip to Spain as Man United face Real Sociedad in the Champions League on Tuesday night.