Premier League, Fulham 1-2 Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo picks Fulham's pocket

Cristiano Ronaldo's superb late winner moved Manchester United nine points clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premiership after they came from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage here Saturday. Cristiano Ronaldo's 88th-minute winner was among the best of the 18 he has scored this season. Picking up the ball near halfway on the left, he skinned Moritz Volz, left Clint Dempsey behind, swerved inside and then hit a shot that took a telling deflection off Philippe Christanval. Cue manic celebrations with the United bench - 'Gaby is my friend,' Ronaldo said of Gabriel Heinze, who was not in the squad of 16 but received the longest smooch - and a 22nd league win this season. A jovial Sir Alex Ferguson said: 'We were flat. Once they scored, it was an uphill battle. But we dug ourselves out of a hole.'

Brian McBride put the home side in front in the 17th minute but United found an equaliser before half-time through stand-in captain Ryan Giggs.


Fulham boss Chris Coleman (who felt Heidar Helguson was fouled in the penalty area by Edwin van der Sar):
"The referee has no excuses, he was in the perfect position.
"There is only one way to put it and that is that he lost his nerve.
"Can anybody disagree with me if I say that if that happened at the other end of the pitch, and it's 1-1, the referee is going to give a penalty?
"It's frustrating to say the least but what is the point talking about it. I will get another fine."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson:
"I must say that was the most difficult game we have had all season.
"I think it is a significant result, pariticularly scoring late on.
"Ronaldo just kept going and deserved to get the man of the match.
"Credit to Fulham, they never gave use a moment to settle. Fulham will feel very aggrieved with the result."

Man of the match: Cristiano Ronaldo

Now Let's see the goals:

Giggs: Ref told me to take it!

Ryan Giggs has revealed that the referee gave him permission to take the quick free-kick that sparked such controversy in Manchester United's Champions League win over Lille.

Giggs says he was amazed by the reaction of the Lille players - before adding even more spice to the second leg by quipping, "That's the French I suppose."
"The ref came over and said do you want the whistle, and I said no, I'll take a quick one," Giggs explained to the Manchester Evening News.

"So I said to Wayne, put the ball down, and that was it. I was pleased to see it go in, if it hadn't I probably would have had a few words off the boss!"
"Obviously I was pleased with the result, it was a somewhat contentious goal, but I'm obviously pleased with the points.
"But the last time I scored a goal like that, no one thought about walking off the pitch.
"I was just amazed by what was happening around us, we didn't know what was going on, but that's the French I suppose."

UEFA Champions league, Lille 0-1 Manchester united

United steal victory with Giggs' free-kick controversy

Manchester United flew home with a priceless Champions League lead and left behind a storm of controversy over incidents that included furious Lille coaching staff attempting to haul their players off the pitch before the final whistle. Ryan Giggs scored directly from a quickly-taken free-kick with seven minutes left but that incensed the Lille players who were still trying to construct their defensive wall.

Lille players raced to the Dutch referee Eric Braamhaar, unable to comprehend how he had allowed the goal to stand, but he was not for turning and his obduracy triggered a stunning reaction from the home bench, with the signal going out for the Lille players to head for the touchline and end the game.

Lille fans were not happy when play did resume, and started hurling objects onto the pitch, one of them hitting Gary Neville in the head! The remaining two minutes (and three minutes of extra time) were seen out amidst a torrent of objects from the stands. Manchester United players were understandably glad to walk off the pitch sooner rather than later!

Match Full highlights: