The champions have breathing space at the top thanks to a commanding show against a hapless Fulham...It took them a while, but the champions finally have their feet under the table at the summit of the Premier League. With tonight's win over an outclassed Fulham, Sir Alex Ferguson's side move five points clear of Liverpool, and have now played as many games as their Anfield counterparts.
Roy Hodgson is still left contemplating away-day blues; that's no wins from 13 on the road. Home form will need to be exploited if the London side are to sustain their decent season to this point.
The Cottagers, in truth tonight, scarcely made a game of this. United were out of sight by half time, and could even afford the luxury of having two further opening period strikes disallowed. Paul Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov scored legitimately, while the Bulgarian and Carlos Tevez had offside goals annulled.
The second half saw Wayne Rooney welcomed back to duty, and the Scouser responded with a goal on the hour. Moments later and Edwin Van Der Sar celebrated overtaking Abel Resino's long-standing record without concession.
The impressive run continues, the clean-sheet record extends to 14 matches, that's over 1,300 minutes if you're counting.
First Half:
After only 12 minuted of play, the world champions were in front with a goal, not exactly befitting of their stature. Michael Carrick's corner was cleared as far as the edge of the box, from where Paul Scholes unleashed a strike on target. Schwarzer could do nothing but help the ball over the line for what was a soft opener.
Withstanding Bobby Zamora's half-chance header, United turned the screw further and should have commanded a two-goal lead on 20 minutes. Cristiano Ronaldo's low cross found Dimitar Berbatov but the Bulgarian's effort was repelled by an Aaron Hughes goal line clearance.
After Ronaldo forced a smart save, United had the ball in the net a second time. However, it was ruled out for offside. Berbatov's through ball found the run of Carlos Tevez, who finished under the body of Schwarzer to no avail.
Berbatov was roving again moments later when his header flashed over, and Paul Scholes threatened with another volley following a corner.
That all came before the 30 minute mark, on which Ferguson's side doubled their lead.
John O'Shea's pass inside the Fulham area found Berbatov, who finished smartly from only six yards.
United continued to press, with Tevez and Berbatov linking up well. The duo combined for what should have been a third moments later, but 'Berba' could only turn Tevez's through ball wide of the mark.
There was time for Scholes to again sting the palms of Schwarzer with a vicious drive before United had a second goal chalked off for offside in injury time.
Berbatov nodded home Ronaldo's box-bound free-kick, but he was correctly adjudged to have been ahead of the play.
Second Half:
Fulham competed better initially at the start of the half, with Zoltan Gera's cross and Danny Murphy's subsequent corner making United pay attention.
The hosts responded to a relatively slow opening to the second half again through Berbatov, who forced Schwarzer to tip over from a header. Namanja Vidic then headed a corner narrowly wide before Sir Alex introduced Wayne Rooney in devastating fashion.
The striker was on hand to turn home a low Park Ji Sung cross only moments after his entrance from close range to wrap up the points for the home side.
Vidic and Zamora swapped headers during the midpoint of the half as both sides played out the formalities.
It wasn't until the dying embers of the tie that United threatened again; Schwarzer smothered at the feet of Park with five minutes to play, while Ronaldo and substitute Darron Gibson wasted late chances to further United's lead.
Line Ups:
Manchester United (4-4-2): Van Der Sar - O'Shea (Evans 63'), Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra - Ronaldo, Carrick (Gibson 68'), Scholes, Park - Berbatov (Rooney 61'), Tevez
Fulham (5-4-1): Schwarzer - Paintsil (Dacourt 70'), Hangeland, Hughes, Kallio, Baird - Davies, Murphy (Milsom 80'), Gera (Brown 85'), Dempsey - Zamora
Goals:
Manchester United: Scholes 12', Berbatov 30', Rooney 63'
Fulham:
Cards:
Manchester United: Park 28'
Fulham: Paintsil 58'
Referee: Andre Marriner
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