United 1 Fulham 0

We`ve been through this numerous times but 'squeaky-bum` time as we close in on a title still doesn`t do much for a heart that continues to skip a beat or two as we live life on the edge.

Fulham arrived at Old Trafford with the reputation as poor travelers, they`d not collected many points, they`d not scored many goals and they were supposed to be the kind of fragile opposition that were put before us to blow away and reduce the goal difference that exists between ourselves and Manchester City.

Instead, when the referee blew the final whistle we were left to reflect on a performance that saw United shine in patches but come so close to throwing it all away when even Sir Alex Ferguson reckoned Fulham should have had a penalty.

Of course the gaffer tried to convince everyone that when Kelly handled, in the first half, United should have had one but Danny Murphy will feel very aggrieved that when he was clipped from behind by Michael Carrick play was waved on.

But United took the three points on offer and now the pressure is back on Manchester City as the games begin to run out and the gap remains at three points with it once again looking as if it`ll be a title show-down at the Etihad Stadium come the end of April.

Last night Fulham surprised many a United supporter with their bright play which at times highlighted how fragile we can be at times but, if it were not for their keeper, Mark Schwarzer, making save after spectacular save, we`d have been home and dry long before the controversial penalty incident.

Instead, we were left to sweat and reflect on the only goal of the game which came three minutes before half time. The Fulham defence, most notably Riise and Hangeland; got in a pickle with each other expecting the other to clear the ball and when it fell to Jonny Evans beyond the far post, the Irishman clipped it back into a central position for Wayne Rooney to net from close range.

Scant reward for some fine attacking moves some might say but others will recognize it is, at this stage of the season, all about getting the three points available!

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