Fulham stole a dramatic late point at Manchester United on Rene Meulensteen's return to Old Trafford as head coach of the Cottagers in the Premier League this evening.
The visitors led for an hour of the game thanks to Steve Sidwell's composed first-half finish, but they couldn't hold on to their lead as two goals in 80 seconds from Robin van Persie and Michael Carrick looked to have secured the win for United.
There would be a late twist, though, as Fulham substitute Darren Bent headed home in the 94th minute to secure a vital point for the league's bottom club.
Here, Sports Mole casts its eye over a barmy 90 minutes in the North-West.
Match statistics
Man Utd
Shots: 31
On target: 9
Possession: 75%
Corners: 10
Fouls: 3
Fulham
Shots: 6
On target: 3
Possession: 25%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 6
Was the result fair?
From a statistical point of view, no. However, Fulham defended so doggedly, especially from United's 81 crosses, the highest amount in a Premier League game since the start of the 2006-07 season, that it felt like they deserved a point.
Man Utd's performance
Considering the inexperienced, depleted XI that Meulensteen put out, a rout from the home side was widely expected. Manager David Moyes started with the likes of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata, but none of them really played well. The number of hopeful crosses sent over was unbelievable, but eventually that strategy paid off. However, United looked very poor at the back and it feels like a transitional period in defence and midfield for the Premier League champions. It looks like they're going to have to write this season off and spend big in the summer on some marquee players, especially in the heart of defence and midfield. Following his announcement that he will leave, returning captain Nemanja Vidic was not on great form and it was his risky header that led to Fulham's late leveller.
Fulham's performance
Meulensteen must have been a little worried when he picked a team with debutants and chose to put an 18-year-old Swedish midfielder (Muamer Tankovic) up front on his own. It worked out surprisingly well, though, and they looked dangerous when they could counter-attack. The first goal was beautifully worked and the vision Lewis Holtby showed could be vital to the West London club's survival hopes. Bent, who was brought on at half time, scored his fourth goal against United at Old Trafford for a fourth different team to steal a point. The visitors probably defended too deep in the second half and were made to pay but didn't drop their heads and rescued a point.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Steve Sidwell: His finish was so calm and composed from what was not an easy chance. He was on the stretch but still managed to side-foot a volley into the corner. All game Sidwell tirelessly worked hard in the middle and it was he who won the ball back in the run-up to the equaliser. A mention for young Fulham defender Dan Burn as well, who won so many headers from the countless United crosses.
Biggest gaffe
Sorry Kieran Richardson, but we're picking on you. Fulham had a brilliant chance to double their lead towards the end of the first half when they broke upfield from a United corner. Former United man Richardson was teed up for a one-on-one opportunity but blazed over with just David de Gea to beat.
Referee performance
Kevin Friend had few contentious decisions to make and generally had a good game. United felt that they should have had a penalty when Burn appeared to handball but Friend wouldn't have been able to see the incident from where he was.
What next?
Man Utd: It doesn't get any easier for United as they next travel to Arsenal, who are looking to bounce back after their heavy defeat to Liverpool, on Wednesday night.
Fulham: The tough fixtures keep on coming for the Cottagers, who are four shy of safety at the foot of the table, when they host Liverpool in three days' time.
Pascal Lemesre
