Manchester United 3 Fulham 2
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| Ruud van Nistelrooy celebrates netting the winner (© Allsport) |
Two goals in two minutes by Ruud van Nistelrooy gave Manchester United a 3-2 win over Fulham at Old Trafford this afternoon.
Newly promoted Fulham had twice led and threatened to make a stunning return to the top flight in an action-packed Premiership encounter before United’s new striker intervened.
Fulham, playing at the top level for the first time since 1968, made a dream start when Louis Saha lobbed the ball over Fabien Barthez after four minutes but a classic David Beckham free kick after 35 minutes brought the champions level.
Saha, scorer of 32 goals for the Londoners last season, was even quicker off the mark in the second half as he shot Fulham into a 2-1 lead three minutes after the restart, only for Van Nistelrooy to spoil the visitors' party with two classic striker's goals.
The champions' Stg£19 million summer buy from PSV Eindhoven reacted quickly to flick the ball over compatriot Edwin van der Sar in the 51st minute to equalise and then smashed in the winner two minutes later after Fulham failed to clear a Beckham cross.