Brede Hangeland made amends for an own goal with a late header to rescue a point for Fulham and spoil Manchester United’s 100% start to the season.
Paul Scholes’s 25-yard drive put United ahead but Simon Davies’ 12-yard finish deservedly drew the home side level.
Hangeland diverted a corner into his own net to give the lead to United, for whom Nani saw a penalty saved by David Stockdale minutes later.
Hangeland rose to head in from a corner to give his side a share of the spoils.
It was the least Fulham deserved for their contribution to a match that had seen them denied possession for large periods but give as good as they got against in-form opponents.
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Penalty save spurred Fulham on – Hughes
The Cottagers may have changed manager since last season, but Roy Hodgson’s replacement, Mark Hughes, will be pleased to see that much of what made Fulham such a tough opponent under his predecessor remains.
No better is this illustrated than in their determination and ability to battle back into the game not only once but twice, when lesser teams would have wilted, especially after such a seemingly decisive late blow as Hangeland’s own goal.
That their keeper Stockdale also saved a penalty – diving to his right to palm away substitute Nani’s effort after Damien Duff was adjudged to have handled in the box when the ball struck his knee and then arm – between the final two goals of the game serves only to enhance this durable quality.
Such late drama was unforeseeable after the opening 10 minutes, which the away side completely dominated and deservedly led through Scholes’s superb low drive – his 150th goal during a career spent entirely with United.
Two seasons ago Scholes was sent off at Craven Cottage in a 2-0 United defeat, the first of two on the ground for the Red Devils in 2009, but he more than made up for this indiscretion with another strong performance on Sunday.
The midfielder was always available, always neat and continually central to his side’s patient, progressive and polished play.
The other key figure in United’s first goal – Dimitar Berbatov, who teed Scholes up – was also heavily involved throughout the game, shouldering much of the senior attacking responsibility in the absence of the ill Wayne Rooney.
An often maligned figure during his time at Old Trafford, Berbatov has been accused of not scoring often enough, and while he opened his account early this campaign with a goal in the 3-0 opening win over Newcastle, here he was wasteful.
He was presented with half a dozen goalscoring opportunities, and despite testing Stockdale with the majority of them, he should have done better.
But the same could be said of many of Fulham’s attacking players.
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Vidic disappointed not to hold on for win
But for greater accuracy in their own shooting, and the superb intervention of their former goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar – who rescued his current employers United by firstly blocking from Dickson Etuhu and then somehow tipped the midfielder’s follow-up effort over the bar – they would have gone into the break level.
A quarter of an hour into the second half the home side were level as Duff robbed Patrice Evra and fed Bobby Zamora down the right, whose pull-back was fired home by the onrushing Davies.
Both sides continued to press for the advantage: Nani flicked the top of the net with a free-kick from the left and Nemanja Vidic headed wide from a corner for United, while Zamora miscued an effort past the far post from a tight angle after being found by Paul Konchesky’s flighted free-kick.
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Hangeland delighted to make up for own goal
It was no surprise that further goals came, only that they were both from the same source.
Central defender Hangeland can consider himself unlucky to see a corner ricochet off his shin and fly in after 84 minutes.
But he can be equally proud of his response at the other end, rising to head home from a corner to give his side a thoroughly warranted equaliser – made possible by Stockdale’s spot-kick save.
Dropping two points, even though early in the season, is a blow to United, with reigning champions and title-rivals Chelsea having hit six goals for the second successive game on Saturday to leave them as the only side with maximum points.
- Final Result
- Full Time
- 90:00+4:25 The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.
- 90:00+3:43 Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Luis Nani (Man Utd) to near post, clearance by Bobby Zamora (Fulham).
Cross by Ryan Giggs (Man Utd), clearance by Bobby Zamora (Fulham).
- 90:00+3:15 Cross by John Pantsil (Fulham), save (caught) by Edwin Van der Sar (Man Utd).
- 90:00+1:46 Direct free kick taken by Darren Fletcher.
- 90:00+1:46 Booking Jonathan Greening is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.
- 90:00+1:35 Jonathan Greening concedes a free kick for a foul on Luis Nani.
- 90:00+1:04 Substitution Fulham substitution: Simon Davies replaced by Zoltan Gera (tactical).
- 88:59 Damien Duff provided the assist for the goal.
- 88:59 GOAL – Brede Hangeland:Fulham 2 – 2 Man Utd Brede Hangeland finds the back of the net with a headed goal from inside the penalty area. Fulham 2-2 Man Utd.
- 88:37 Damien Duff takes a shot. Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Damien Duff from the right by-line,
- 87:42 Cross by John Pantsil (Fulham), clearance by Darren Fletcher (Man Utd).
- 87:33 Cross by Paul Konchesky (Fulham), resulting in open play.
- Correction – 87:03 Goal kick taken short by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 87:03 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 86:34 Outswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Ryan Giggs (Man Utd) to far post, resulting in open play.
- 86:21 Placed penalty taken by Luis Nani saved by David Stockdale. Fulham 1-2 Man Utd.
- 85:43 Damien Duff is adjudged to have handled the ball.
- 85:24 A cross is delivered by John O’Shea.
- 85:08 Ryan Giggs takes a short corner.
- 83:21 Assist (cross) by Luis Nani (Man Utd) from right by-line.
- 83:21 GOAL – Brede Hangeland:Fulham 1 – 2 Man Utd Own goal by Brede Hangeland (Fulham) right-footed (bottom-left of goal) from own half (6 yards).Fulham 1-2 Man Utd.
- 83:21 Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Luis Nani (Man Utd) to near post, resulting in open play.
- 83:11 Cross by Luis Nani (Man Utd), clearance by Aaron Hughes (Fulham).
- 82:44 Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Luis Nani (Man Utd) to near post, clearance by Bobby Zamora (Fulham).
- 81:36 Outswinging corner taken by Ryan Giggs from the left by-line, Headed effort from inside the area by Nemanja Vidic misses to
the right of the goal.
- 81:12 The ball is swung over by Luis Nani, clearance by Dickson Etuhu.
- 80:22 Substitution Danny Murphy leaves the field to be replaced by Jonathan Greening.
- 79:57 Cross by Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd), resulting in open play.
- 79:33 Goal kick taken long by Edwin Van der Sar (Man Utd).
- 79:11 Shot by Bobby Zamora from deep inside the penalty area misses to the left of the target.
- 78:43 Foul by Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd) on Moussa Dembele (Fulham). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Paul Konchesky (Fulham)
from left channel, resulting in open play.
- 78:39 Goal kick taken short by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 78:04 Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Ryan Giggs (Man Utd) to centre, header by Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd)
from left side of penalty area (12 yards), missed left.
- 77:32 Handball by Dickson Etuhu. Paul Scholes takes the free kick.
- 77:06 Defending throw-in by Patrice Evra (Man Utd).
- 76:51 Attacking throw-in by John Pantsil (Fulham).
- 75:43 Handball by Danny Murphy (Fulham). Free kick taken right-footed by Luis Nani (Man Utd) from left channel (20 yards), over
the bar.
- 75:35 Attacking throw-in by Patrice Evra (Man Utd).
- 75:25 A cross is delivered by Patrice Evra, clearance made by Brede Hangeland.
- 73:44 Attacking throw-in by Patrice Evra (Man Utd).
- 73:44 Substitution Man Utd substitution: Javier Hernandez replaced by Michael Owen (tactical).
- 73:44 Substitution Man Utd substitution: Antonio Valencia replaced by Ryan Giggs (tactical).
- 73:23 Cross by Antonio Valencia (Man Utd), resulting in open play.
- 72:34 Booking Damien Duff (Fulham) booked for dissent.
- 72:18 Attacking throw-in by John Pantsil (Fulham).
- 71:22 Defending throw-in by John O’Shea (Man Utd).
- 70:57 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 70:22 Shot by Danny Murphy (Fulham) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), save (caught) by Edwin Van der Sar (Man Utd).
- 69:54 Luis Nani delivers the ball, save by David Stockdale.
- 69:14 Defending throw-in by John O’Shea (Man Utd).
- 68:05 Paul Konchesky restarts play with the free kick.
- 68:05 Booking Jonathan Evans is booked.
- 67:57 Jonathan Evans challenges Bobby Zamora unfairly and gives away a free kick.
- 67:30 The ball is delivered by Luis Nani, Dimitar Berbatov takes a shot. Save by David Stockdale.
- 66:43 A cross is delivered by Patrice Evra, Dimitar Berbatov takes a shot. Save by David Stockdale.
- 65:59 Direct free kick taken right-footed by Darren Fletcher (Man Utd) from right wing, passed.
- 65:59 Substitution Man Utd substitution: Ji-Sung Park replaced by Luis Nani (tactical).
- 65:59 Foul by Paul Konchesky (Fulham) on Antonio Valencia (Man Utd).
- 65:01 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 64:03 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 63:45 Patrice Evra sends in a cross, Header on goal by Dimitar Berbatov from just inside the area goes over the goal.
- 63:38 Cross by John O’Shea (Man Utd), clearance by Aaron Hughes (Fulham).
- 62:52 Cross by John Pantsil (Fulham), clearance by Ji-Sung Park (Man Utd).
- 62:26 John Pantsil crosses the ball.
- 62:10 Centre by Simon Davies.
- 61:47 Attacking throw-in by Patrice Evra (Man Utd).
- 60:44 Substitution Fulham substitution: Clinton Dempsey replaced by Moussa Dembele (tactical).
- 60:28 Shot by Javier Hernandez (Man Utd) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), over the bar.
- 59:22 Handball by Dimitar Berbatov. Direct free kick taken by Paul Konchesky.
- 58:45 Cross by John O’Shea (Man Utd), resulting in open play.
- 56:36 Assist (pass) by Bobby Zamora (Fulham) from right side of penalty area.
- 56:36 GOAL – Simon Davies:Fulham 1 – 1 Man Utd Goal by Simon Davies (Fulham) right-footed (bottom-right of goal) from left side of penalty area (18 yards).Fulham 1-1 Man
Utd.
- 56:23 Goal kick taken long by Edwin Van der Sar (Man Utd).
- 54:58 Free kick awarded for a foul by Jonathan Evans on Bobby Zamora. Bobby Zamora shoots direct from the free kick. Bobby Zamora
has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box which goes wide left of the goal.
- 53:56 Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Damien Duff from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Antonio Valencia.
- 50:50 Shot by Simon Davies (Fulham) right-footed from left channel (25 yards), blocked by Jonathan Evans (Man Utd). Inswinging corner
from left by-line taken right-footed by Simon Davies (Fulham) to far post, resulting in open play.
- 50:16 Brede Hangeland challenges Ji-Sung Park unfairly and gives away a free kick. Darren Fletcher restarts play with the free kick.
- 49:52 The ball is swung over by John O’Shea, Aaron Hughes manages to make a clearance.
- 49:03 Defending throw-in by Patrice Evra (Man Utd).
- 47:42 Attacking throw-in by Patrice Evra (Man Utd).
- 47:30 Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Antonio Valencia from the left by-line to the near post, Bobby Zamora manages to make
a clearance.
- 45:36 Attacking throw-in by John O’Shea (Man Utd).
- 45:12 Unfair challenge on Javier Hernandez by Paul Konchesky results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by John O’Shea.
- 45:01 The referee blows his whistle to start the second half.
- Half Time
- 45:00+1:38 The referee calls an end to the first half.
- 43:52 Shot from just outside the box by Clinton Dempsey goes over the bar.
- 43:14 Defending throw-in by John Pantsil (Fulham).
- 42:51 Attacking throw-in by Paul Konchesky (Fulham).
- 42:19 Darren Fletcher sends in a cross, Jonathan Evans takes a shot. David Stockdale makes a save.
- 41:39 Foul by Brede Hangeland (Fulham) on Javier Hernandez (Man Utd). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Antonio Valencia (Man
Utd) from right channel, passed.
- 40:52 Goal kick taken short by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 39:22 Patrice Evra delivers the ball, Aaron Hughes makes a clearance.
- 38:10 Paul Konchesky takes the direct free kick.
- 38:10 Booking Antonio Valencia goes into the book.
- 37:57 Antonio Valencia challenges Simon Davies unfairly and gives away a free kick.
- 36:39 Attacking throw-in by John Pantsil (Fulham).
- 36:21 Goal kick taken long by Edwin Van der Sar (Man Utd).
- 35:32 Inswinging corner from left by-line taken right-footed by Simon Davies (Fulham) to far post, header by Aaron Hughes (Fulham)
from right side of six-yard box (6 yards), over the bar.
- 35:24 Cross by Paul Konchesky (Fulham), clearance by Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd).
- 34:00 Paul Konchesky delivers the ball.
- 33:42 Cross by Patrice Evra (Man Utd), clearance by Brede Hangeland (Fulham).
- 32:49 Cross by Ji-Sung Park (Man Utd), save (caught) by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 32:18 Defending throw-in by Patrice Evra (Man Utd).
- 30:26 Shot by Dickson Etuhu (Fulham) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (parried) by Edwin Van der Sar
(Man Utd). Shot by Dickson Etuhu (Fulham) left-footed from left side of penalty area (12 yards), save (parried) by Edwin Van
der Sar (Man Utd). Inswinging corner from right by-line taken left-footed by Damien Duff (Fulham) to near post, clearance
by Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd).
- 30:02 The ball is delivered by John Pantsil.
- 28:52 The ball is swung over by Paul Scholes, Headed effort from deep inside the penalty area by Dimitar Berbatov goes harmlessly
over the crossbar.
- 26:53 Shot by Dimitar Berbatov (Man Utd) right-footed from right channel (25 yards), save (caught) by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 26:34 Goal kick taken long by Edwin Van der Sar (Man Utd).
- 26:04 Shot by Danny Murphy (Fulham) right-footed from right channel (30 yards), over the bar.
- 25:20 Dimitar Berbatov (Man Utd) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by Aaron Hughes (Fulham) from own half, passed.
- 23:39 Foul by Jonathan Evans (Man Utd) on Bobby Zamora (Fulham). Direct free kick taken right-footed by Simon Davies (Fulham) from
right channel, passed.
- 23:08 Goal kick taken long by Edwin Van der Sar (Man Utd).
- 22:49 Paul Konchesky produces a cross, Headed effort from inside the penalty area by Bobby Zamora misses to the right of the target.
- 21:43 The ball is delivered by John Pantsil, Nemanja Vidic makes a clearance.
- 21:22 Darren Fletcher sends in a cross, Paul Konchesky manages to make a clearance.
- 21:05 Outswinging corner from right by-line taken right-footed by Antonio Valencia (Man Utd) to far post, clearance by Simon Davies
(Fulham).
- 20:49 Dimitar Berbatov takes a shot. David Stockdale makes a save.
- 19:44 Attacking throw-in by Patrice Evra (Man Utd).
- 18:50 Free kick awarded for a foul by Brede Hangeland on Dimitar Berbatov. John O’Shea takes the direct free kick.
- 16:25 Clinton Dempsey takes a shot. Save by Edwin Van der Sar.
- 15:29 Goal kick taken long by David Stockdale (Fulham).
- 15:15 Shot by Javier Hernandez (Man Utd) left-footed from right channel (25 yards), missed left.
- 14:45 Dimitar Berbatov (Man Utd) caught offside. Indirect free kick taken right-footed by David Stockdale (Fulham) from own half,
resulting in open play.
- 14:19 Foul by Javier Hernandez on Brede Hangeland, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by David Stockdale.
- 12:38 A cross is delivered by Damien Duff.
- 12:09 Goal kick taken long by Edwin Van der Sar (Man Utd).
- 11:51 Shot by Simon Davies (Fulham) right-footed from right channel (18 yards), over the bar.
- 10:17 Assist (pass) by Dimitar Berbatov (Man Utd) from right channel.
- 10:17 GOAL – Paul Scholes:Fulham 0 – 1 Man Utd Goal by Paul Scholes (Man Utd) right-footed (bottom-right of goal) from right channel (25 yards).Fulham 0-1 Man Utd.
- 10:02 Antonio Valencia decides to take the corner short.
- 9:38 Dimitar Berbatov takes a shot. Save by David Stockdale.
- 9:29 The ball is sent over by Antonio Valencia. The ball is swung over by Patrice Evra.
- 8:53 Cross by Antonio Valencia (Man Utd), clearance by John Pantsil (Fulham).
- 8:36 Outswinging corner taken by Antonio Valencia, clearance by Brede Hangeland.
- 7:28 Attacking throw-in by John O’Shea (Man Utd).
- 6:40 Defending throw-in by Patrice Evra (Man Utd).
- 3:57 Attacking throw-in by John O’Shea (Man Utd).
- 3:18 Attacking throw-in by Bobby Zamora (Fulham).
- 2:34 Foul by John Pantsil (Fulham) on Ji-Sung Park (Man Utd). Direct free kick taken left-footed by Patrice Evra (Man Utd) from
left wing, resulting in open play.
- 1:27 Cross by Clinton Dempsey (Fulham), clearance by Jonathan Evans (Man Utd).
- 0:00 The game gets underway.
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