The Aftermath: United vs. Fulham

The Breakdown
United 2-2 Fulham
United started brightly, Scholes rocketing a trademark drill into the bottom right corner before the clock hit 10 minutes. Scholes really turning back the years at the start of this season, his red-hot form continuing at the Cottage. He got a chance, buried it.

But each time United scored, Fulham hit back. Davies equalising for the Cottagers after the break, poor defending from Evans let Zamora in and able to just reverse it across the box for anyone who happened to be there, Simon Davies in this case, to have a crack.

Own-goal opens his account for the season for us this season, courtesy of Brede Hangeland, after managing 8 (I think) last season.

But it was not to be for United, a late corner saw Hangeland redeem himself and nod in the equalising goal. Bollocks.

Reaction
Gutted. Frustrated. Two points definitely dropped.

Again, the lack of sharpness in our play was a bit frustrating to watch at times—particularly on our right flank. Valencia and O'Shea just not clicking with each other today - O'Shea looking particularly weak - and if I'm going to be a critical little poo, I'd look that way first.

But Scholes' early strike gave me hope. I thought "Vintage United, this" - we were on top, dictating play, sneaked a peek of the possession stat and saw it was 30-70 in our favour, everything was looking up.

Not to be though, and slack defending, particularly by Evans - not impressed at all with his display today - gave Fulham a route back in with Simon Davies. Controversy with Dempsey and being in front of the goalkeeper, but even I wouldn't have tried to pull that one.

Valencia and Chicharito were somewhat disappointing today; not really setting the stage on fire when they were on the ball, the latter probably didn't even touch the ball more than 10 times throughout the whole match. At times, it seemed like his team-mates weren't anticipating his runs, and at times it seems the 4 o'clock kick-off in London seemed a bit much for the lads.

When Nani, Owen and Giggs eventually all made their way on the pitch, United seemed to gain some rhythm which was good - and we were rewarded by a fortuitous goal. It seemed like Sparky would have another late goal break the efforts his teams seem to put up against United.

Nani should never have taken that penalty. Simple as that. What were the players thinking? Didn't we LEARN anything from last season's slip-up letting Carrick take a game-saving penalty last season vs. Burnley AND MISSING? (slash getting saved) We need a regular penalty taker, and I motion that Nani not be on that list. 2 steps and a stutter - why does this kid want to be like Ronaldo so much? Does he really want to go to hot places and cold places, too?

Best Player
Well, I dunno. Scholes played well when he was on the ball - a sense that he was tiring, though, towards the end a bit; he is 36 in November.

Fulham keeper made a terrific save, and I'm tempted to look to the Fulham team to give the Best Player award to. I might give it to Dickson Etuhu. Yeah, he was up and down the pitch and was always in a dangerous position for our backline. Same could be said for Zamora though. This one's a tough one because neither side really had any standouts. Mistakes, redemption, errors and good play could've all been applied to all the players on both teams.

Where We Stood, Where We Stand
Chelski, those bastards. I intensely dislike them. They're the only ones so far to have gotten 100% out of their two games. 12 goals to boot. So we slot in above Newcastle, with the rest of those who've won one and drawn one, but behind on goal difference to the likes of Arsenal, Bolton, Birmingham, Wolves and Spurs.

I'm just so freakin' frustrated. Faaaaaaark. Our post-Christmas run better be as spectacular, if not moreso, than Chelsea's August shenanigans.