Source: Telegraph
Fulham 2 Manchester United 2: match report
Brede Hangeland headed a last-minute equaliser to deny Manchester United victory in a gripping Barclays Premier League clash at Craven Cottage.[LNB]United appeared to be heading for victory when Hangeland scored an unfortunate own goal with seven minutes go - the first act of a breathless climax.[LNB] Related ArticlesFulham v Manchester United: as it happenedPremier League tablePremier League actionTelegraph player raterPremier League fixturesSport on televisionNani missed a penalty moments later that would have put Sir Alex Ferguson's side 3-1 up after Damien Duff handled in the area.[LNB]And United were punished for Nani's wastefulness in the final twist as Hangeland atoned for his earlier blunder by powering a header past Edwin van der Sar.[LNB]A fine start from the Premier League runners-up was rewarded in the 11th minute when the influential Paul Scholes powered home a low 25-yard drive to register his 150th goal for the club.[LNB]But Fulham, who dominated lengthy spells after the interval, showed resolve to claw back the deficit with an emphatic strike from midfielder Simon Davies.[LNB]It was a thrilling way for Mark Hughes to mark his first home match as Fulham manager while Ferguson will know his side deserved no more than a point.[LNB]Word filtered through shortly before kick-off that Ferguson would continue refusing to conduct interviews with the BBC.[LNB]Ferguson was today expected to end his boycott of speaking to the corporation, which dates back to 2004, amid pressure from the Premier League and League Managers Association.[LNB]But the United manager is to maintain his stance with assistant Michael Phelan available to provide analysis and comment should the BBC request it.[LNB]Ferguson would have been delighted by United's formidable start with a dashing early run from Antonio Valencia caught the eye only for Scholes, the intended recipient of his back heel, to stumble on the ball.[LNB]Dimitar Berbatov and Darren Fletcher combined to good effect without any end product as play began to concentrate on Fulham's area.[LNB]Only lightening reflexes from David Stockdale kept a header from Berbatov out but moments later the Cottagers keeper was beaten by a magnificent strike from Scholes.[LNB]The ball was sprayed around with ease from a corner until Berbatov teed up Scholes who found the bottom right corner with a powerful low drive from 25 yards out.[LNB]Davies flashed an effort over the bar at the other end but United were still looking formidable as Berbatov tested Stockdale from a tight angle.[LNB]Bobby Zamora was gifted a free header from 10 yards out, but he could only nod a cross by Paul Konchesky wide with the target at his mercy.[LNB]Berbatov directed a header over the crossbar but United's defence was in disarray in the 31st minute and only a superb double save from Van der Sar denied Fulham.[LNB]Zamora used his strength to cause problems on the edge of the area and possession squirted out to Dempsey, who laid on a perfect pass for Dickson Etuhu.[LNB]Etuhu directed his first shot straight at Van der Sar but was presented with a second attempt when the ball rebounded to his feet only for the Dutch keeper, who was sat down, to prod the effort over the bar with an outstretched hand.[LNB]Despite the fluidity of United's play, with Berbatov, Javier Hernandez and Valencia prominent, Fulham looked very capable of pinching an equaliser.[LNB]Scholes almost jinked his way into a shooting position but Fulham were enjoying the lion's share of possession early in the second half.[LNB]Zamora blazed a free-kick over the crossbar after he had been hacked down by Jonny Evans and the balance of power was clearly shifting with the equaliser arriving in the 57th minute.[LNB]A rampaging run from Duff swept the winger away from Patrice Era before he found Zamora, whose astute pass fell to an unmarked Davies.[LNB]Stood 10 yards out and with time to pick his spot, the Wales midfielder thumped the ball past Van der Sar.[LNB]Substitute Nani was making a telling impact and he expertly teed up Berbatov who was bundled off the ball as he was pulling the trigger.[LNB]Van der Sar caught a dangerous curler from Danny Murphy while at the other end a Nani free kick crept narrowly over the crossbar before skipper Nemanja Vidic directed a header off-target.[LNB]With 11 minutes to go Zamora blew a fine chance, and Fulham were left ruing the opportunity as they conceded a disastrous own goal.[LNB]Nani's innocuous-looking corner fell straight to the hapless Brede Hangeland, deflecting off his shin and into the goal.[LNB]Fulham suffered another blow in the 86th minute when Duff handled the ball, but Stockdale pulled off a fine save to deny Nani from the spot.[LNB]Yet Hangeland and Duff still had time to make amends for their errors in a breathless finish that saw Fulham get what they deserved.[LNB]Duff floated in a corner from the right and Hangeland leapt high to nod it home, via a touch from the hand of the diving van der Sar. 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