Man U go nine points clear

LONDON: Cristiano Ronaldo’s superb late winner moved Manchester United nine points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premiership after they came from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage here on Saturday.

Brian McBride put the home side in front in the 17th minute but United found an equaliser before half-time through stand-in captain Ryan Giggs.

It then seemed as if Fulham would do near neighbours and reigning champions Chelsea, who play Arsenal in the League Cup final on Sunday, a favour until Ronaldo’s fine solo goal. The Portugal winger found a late spur of energy to fashion a fine goal two minutes from time as he charged into the area and shot into the far corner. 

United left skipper Gary Neville out of their side, manager Sir Alex Ferguson opting to use Wes Brown at right back instead due to Fulham’s threat from set pieces.

Meanwhile, Fulham opted for Philippe Christanval with Carlos Bocanegra in the centre of defence as Zat Knight was left out of the squad. Three minutes in it was Fulham who had the first shot on goal, midfielder Alexei Smertin driving wide from the corner of the penalty box on his full league debut for the Cottagers.

Simon Davies tried his luck too just minutes later and then former Fulham keeper Edwin van der Sar held a long distance effort from Bouba Diop.

United were struggling to find their tempo, and the only touch for Fulham keeper Jan Lastuvka in the opening 15 minutes came from a Giggs free-kick, which he collected easily.

At the other end, Fulham got the goal they deserved. Van der Sar made a hash of a clearance on his penalty spot, as Nemanja Vidic tried to deal with Davies, and the ball fell to United States international McBride who slid in on the right side of the area to shoot in via the far post.

The visitors needed some inspiration and Ronaldo came within inches of providing it. A brilliant turn of pace took him beyond the Fulham back line, but his shot just missed the far post.

Although United were below their best, they managed to pull level in the 28th minute. A quick breakaway saw Wayne Rooney cut in on the left side and deliver a ball to the far post for Giggs to hit a left footed volley into the corner.

After half-time, Davies was denied by van der Sar following a brilliant volley on the turn. The Londoners came even closer to regaining the lead in the 51st minute when Tomasz Radzinski’s far post header bounced back off the crossbar.

Ferguson was looking frustrated on the sidelines, and introduced Louis Saha to work with Henrik Larsson and Wayne Rooney in attack. The French forward tested Lastuvka with a low drive within minutes of coming on. However, it seemed the winning goal would not come and that Fulham would get a deserved point.