Manchester United had 81 crosses, the highest for any team in the EPL since 2006 but the final score was 2-2. Just when it was thought that Manchester United had mounted one of their typical comebacks, a Bent strike deep into extra time denied Moyes’ men a much deserved victory.Deep into ‘Fergie time’, Darren Bent headed an equaliser that stunned Old Trafford into silence, even the singing section.
United have a great history of wing play but they overindulged here, putting in 81 crosses, the most by a team in the Premier League since 2006, but only 18 of which went to team-mates. Such tactics played into the hands of Maarten Stekelenburg, the keeper who made catch after catch. Such tactics played into the head of Dan Burn, Fulham’s towering centre-half, who headed cross after cross away. United needed more invention through the middle, more subtlety of thought. That was why Juan Mata was bought in so it was bizarre to see him deployed wide.
It was only when Moyes reorganised, sending on the cavalry, unleashing Januzaj for Darren Fletcher after 62 minutes, and Antonio Valencia and Javier Hernández for Rafael and Ashley Young seven minutes later, switching Mata into the centre, that United built up sufficient momentum to break down Fulham’s defence.
United could have won, being seconds away from victory, having recovered from Steve Sidwell’s first-half strike with goals from Robin van Persie and Michael Carrick in the 78th and 80th minutes. Moyes punched the air in relief and Phil Neville leapt up. But then Bent swooped. The point and performance will give Fulham such belief. They are still bottom but are now within a point of Cardiff City and three points from West Bromwich Albion. Safety, and the 17th place occupied by Sunderland, lies four points away. They know they need to keep such supreme levels of concentration going into their next challenge, against Liverpool.
