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Manchester United vs. Fulham: Your Running Commentary

Dempsey Man Utd (Getty Images)

Fulham have lost their last two league games via shutout, and in order to end that poor run on Monday they will have to do so against a Manchester United team still fighting for first place in the Premiership.

Manchester United hosts the Cottagers (3pm, ESPN2) in a match that will pit Clint Dempsey against the likes of Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs. Dempsey will be aiming to get on the scoresheet for the 13th time in league play this season, while Manchester United will try to avoid a result that would put a dent in their run at the Premiership title.

If you will be watching today's match please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action.

Comments

  1. EPL refs have been instrumental in determining final league standings for a few years. They know who is supposed to finish in the top four and insure that happens. United is not the only side that gets unwarranted results, but a +10 points on calls is about their average.

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  2. Oops, I mean they would need to make up at least 5 points in goal differential in the other 7 games if City win at Etihad.

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  3. United’s chances pretty much depend on City dropping more points or United getting some kind of result at Etihad. I would say odds would be on a City victory at Etihad. In that case, United would have to hope that City either drops points or loses at least 4 points in goal differential by end of season. It’s in City’s hands if they step up.

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  4. I agree, it is very hard for the smaller clubs. Even Jol himself admitted that while it was a penalty, it would have been very brave of the ref to give it, and it particularly sounded like he didn’t blame him. Tis a shame when human error can play such a big part in any sport, but it happens in every game…

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  5. As a Fulham supporter, that non-call sucked. sucked, sucked, sucked. I could give two #$*& about City or United’s title chase. Spoiled brats the lot.

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  6. It certainly will have contributed.

    When things like this happen, you just get the feeling that supporting a smaller club is almost futile. You don’t get the decisions away at the bigger clubs when you play well enough to earn a chance to snatch a result. And then when you don’t get the decisions, your manager can rant a little, but no one cares because it’s not Fergie or Wenger or whatever. It’s disheartening.

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  7. I like the way you think. City probably aren’t saying to themselves, “Hell yeah, we got United right where we want them!” (Rubs hands together)

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  8. I’m an Arsenal fan. Watching it live, it looked like Murphy backed into Carrick, then fell immediately. On replay, it was clearly a penalty, but referees don’t have replay.

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  9. So being three points down to the most dominant club in the premier league era with a tougher remaining schedule is considered being in the driver’s seat?

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  10. While I’m sure this win and the call will be a vital aspect of a title run, I’m quite confident most people will be talking about how an injured, world class midfielder-less, young United team that had to bring Paul Scholes from the grave beat an incredibly stacked, wealthy, lucky and miraculously healthy City team that was storming to the title. That’s what they’ll be talking about. Season’s not over yet of course…

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  11. You’re being sarcastic but what you’re saying is true. Unless there’s a high profile controversial call that goes in City’s favor people will certainly look back on this day. It was a huge call and surprise surprise a young referee was afraid to make it against United in Old Trafford.

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  12. Nah. It’ll be because City chose the worst possible time to lose their form. Not that being able to eke out one-goal victories with the help of calls like this doesn’t help though.

    In truth, City are still arguably in the driver’s seat, they just have a tougher run-in. They should beat United at Etihad. They should beat Newcastle, even away. They should win their other home games. The Arsenal game (and point difference) is where the title should be won or lost.

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  13. Are you sure? Because clearly United has won 12 going on 13 titles because the refs give them every call in every game. It’s fact…

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  14. You’re right, that’s exactly how it works. I am 100 percent sure if they win by 2 or less points everyone will be talking about this PK as the reason they won the title. It seems pretty clear to me…

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  15. Better rack up the points too.. If they win the title this year by 2 points or less the world will know they didn’t deserve it

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  16. I can definitely understand why a non-fan of United would be pissed as hell at this, but I do find it humorous that their years upon years of success and wins are put into doubt anytime a questionable call goes their way. It happens in every league, and the high profile teams get more attention. I mean, for God’s sake, how many PKs should Chelsea have had against Barcelona on that infamous semifinal? It’s unfortunately part of the game…

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  17. Out of fairness to the ref: If I was a young referee trying to work my way up through the FA ranks, there’s no way in hell I’d give that penalty against Man U either.

    But if it was for Man U? Hell yes I would.

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  18. I won’t lie, United got damn lucky with that PK call. Definitely should have scored more to avoid this controversy altogether…

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  19. Why even bother playing soccer at Old Trafford? Seriously why bother you’re just going to get f’d by the referees on every meaningful call.

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  20. Not even surprised. It’s the same thing over and over with United, they don’t need to earn their wins, the refs give them the vital calls

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  21. If that’s a Fulham player bringing down Rooney in the box…it’s a penalty 100 out of 100.

    And that…is why the Premier League sucks.

    I’ll take MLS, the quality of play is there. The league / networks just need to invest in television production.

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