United denied victory by Diop
Monday, December 13, 2004
Article summary
An 87th-minute goal by Pape Bouba Diop earned Fulham FC a 1-1 draw with Manchester United FC on Monday.
Article body
Missed chances
Victory would have moved fourth-placed United to within two points of champions Arsenal FC in the Premiership table, but Sir Alex Ferguson's men paid the price for several missed chances. United now have 31 points from 17 matches, nine fewer than leaders Chelsea FC. Fulham, meanwhile, climbed a place to 14th.
Rosenior impressive
United dominated the early proceedings but found Fulham in dogged defensive form, with young right-back Liam Rosenior impressing on his first Premiership start. However, United continued to apply pressure and hit the woodwork twice in two minutes through Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney, before Smith found the breakthrough in the 32nd minute with a fierce finish from close range.
Four forwards
Both teams had their chances after that although United always looked the more likely. In the dying minutes, Fulham manager Chris Coleman threw on strikers Tomasz Radzinski and Collins John to leave his side with four forwards yet it was a midfielder who got the equaliser when Diop unleashed a right-footed strike from 25 metres that bent inside the post out of reach of the diving Roy Carroll.
