It's Round and It's White
Fulham have experienced a terrible record at Old Trafford going into this match Monday Night with Manchester United. Fulham also lost the match earlier this season to United 5-0 at Craven Cottage. Well, this match Fulham definitely came to play, and were unlucky not to get a point in their 1-0 loss to Manchester United.
Going into the match the big question had to be what the approach would be for Fulham. Well, they had a plan to play defensively, and hopefully have a few opportunities on counter attacks. They actually pretty much accomplished their game-plan.
Manchester United dominated play in the first half, but were having a hard time breaking down the Fulham defence. Fulham would actually have a few chances of their own.
Clint Dempsey had two opportunities to score in the first half. In the 20th minute, he went on a run, and got off of a shot. He followed that up in the 24th minute with a shot that forced Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea to come up with a nice save.
Even with the disciplined defence and the counter-attacks, all it took was one mistake in the 42nd minute by Fulham to give the home team the lead. Brede Hangeland missed the cross from Ashley Young which got to Jonny Evans, who passed it Wayne Rooney, and he put his shot past Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to give Manchester United the 1-0 lead. Manchester United would take that lead into the second half.
The second half started as the first where Manchester United dominated possession, but Fulham were hanging in the match. Fulham almost had a chance to get level in the 89th minute. Bryan Ruiz sent a wonderful pass to Danny Murphy who went down inside of the box. There was no call of a foul on Michael Carrick and play continued.
Replays showed that Carrick did hit Murphy on the foot, and probably a foul should have been called which would have given Fulham a penalty kick. The call was not given, and eventually Manchester United would hold on for the 1-0 victory.
I feel that Fulham were unlucky not to get that call at the end of the game, but unfortunately the break did not go their way. What I can say though is Fulham showed improvement against United. They can be competitive with any team in England, and that was proven last night at Old Trafford.
