Wednesday 21/12/2011
Premier League
Ryan Giggs scores to maintain his record of scoring in every Premier League season as Manchester United put five past Fulham.
After a two game run in centre midfield Phil Jones was reinstated to his more familiar position at centre back as Ryan Giggs filled his midfield role. However the young English defender took an early blow as he received an elbow to the face whilst challenging Clint Dempsey in the air.
After just five minutes United made the breakthrough when Danny Welbeck slotted home from close range following a Luis Nani break down the left. The home side falling behind to the first notable piece of play from either side due to the length of the stoppage taken for the injury to Phil Jones.
The away crowd were making the majority of the noise after seeing their side take such an early advantage. The home side soon got into their stride matching United for possession, pushing the visitors back into their own half. On the 20 minute mark Phil Jones had to be replaced by Ashley Young, the second minute injury proving too much for the United man. The change saw Antonio Valenica drop to right back with Chris Smalling moving inside .
Following an extended spell of United pressure the reds added a second when Luis Nani rose highest to meet a Ryan Giggs cross following a short corner after 28 minutes. United were taking charge of the game and just after the half hour mark United had a strong penalty shout when Phillip Senderos felled Danny Welbeck in the area. The United the appeals were waved away by referee Rob Halsey.
In the 42nd minute United extended their lead further, as Nani was involved again as he squared a simple ball to Ryan Giggs on the edge of the area. The Welshman's tame shot took a huge deflection looping over David Stockdale's head to put United in complete control going into the interval. Fulham will have been disappointed with their first half efforts, as they allowed the visitors to boss the game from the outset.
The start to the second half was even, with both sides enjoying long spells on the ball. It was Fulham who almost gave themselves a lifeline as Lindegaard had to get down well to stop a Clint Dempsey header. The home side were in the ascendency and they came close again as a John Arne Riise free-kick flashed just wide.
United were struggling to impose themselves as they had done in the first half and took another injury blow just before the hour, as first half substitute Ashley Young was forced off, Park Ji-Sung coming on to replace the winger.
The Cottagers were proving to be much more capable, as the half wore on they looked the most likely to score next, with Andy Johnson twice coming close, both times being denied by Anders Lindegaard. Two minutes from time Wayne Rooney fired a powerful drive past Stockdale to make the score 4-0. And to add insult to injury United made it five as second half substitute Dimitar Berbatov calmly finished with a cheeky bit of skill to settle the tie in the final minute.
United's dominate first half display meant the job was done at half time and despite Fulham's second half industry they didn't have enough to trouble the Champions, two late goals finishing off the performance. United will be happy with picking up their seventh away victory of the season but the loss of two more key players to injury will be a major disappointment to the manager.
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