United escape penalty appeal as Rooney goal proves decisive

Wayne Rooney’s 28th goal of the season proved enough for the hosts.

Sir Alex Ferguson was clearly not impressed though and his side were nearly made to pay the ultimate price for their profligacy when Michael Carrick bundled Danny Murphy over in the box a minute from time but 27-year-old referee Michael Oliver waved away the penalty claims.

Having witnessed title rivals Manchester City drop points at Stoke on Saturday, Ferguson had gone for the jugular with his team selection.

Five offensive players and two naturally overlapping full-backs was a ploy designed to push Fulham onto the back foot, and so it did as Rooney and Ryan Giggs threatened the visitors’ goal.

Fulham eventually emerged from their shells though and started to exploit the gaps being offered.

Mousa Dembele drove one effort wide after being invited to run at the United defence, then Clint Dempsey had a go.

United’s play was not fluent though. A long-range Danny Welbeck shot and a penalty appeal for handball against Stephen Kelly was the best they could muster until Rooney struck.

Even that was a touch odd.

Rooney ducked under Ashley Young’s cross when he seemed better placed to convert than Jonny Evans behind him. John Arne Riise should have cleared but it seemed the Norwegian was surprised by Rooney’s move and he failed to control, allowing Evans to slide in. The Northern Irishman had the presence of mind to find Rooney instead of going for goal himself from an acute angle.

From that moment, Fulham were doomed as Rooney rattled home his 11th goal in nine games.

Ferguson was clearly agitated and unimpressed by his side’s performance.

The Scot really would have been furious had Oliver awarded a penalty for Carrick’s tackle from behind on Murphy in the final minute, which TV replays showed he had every right to do.