Sheringham strikes late as United beat Fulham

Sheringham strikes late as United beat Fulham
Bill Barclay

London, January 7: Teddy Sheringham scored the winner a minute from time as English champions Manchester United beat division one leaders Fulham 2-1 in the FA Cup third round today.

Fulham looked to have held on for a replay when substitute Sheringham drilled his 16th goal of the season low past Maik Taylor to silence Craven Cottage.

United, who missed last season's competition to play in the World Club Championship in Brazil, went in front after eight minutes through Norwegian Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

But Fabrice Fernandes's fine free kick 16 minutes later deservedly put Jean Tigana's side level.

Fulham were without several key players through injury but often out-passed Alex Ferguson's side on a sunlit day in south-west London.

But they made an appalling start when Lee Clark, passed fit to play just before kick-off, lost control on the edge of his own area after eight minutes.

Solskjaer pounced and curled a low effort past Taylor in the Fulham goal.

Fulham gradually settled though and levelled when Frenchman Fernandes curled a David Beckham-style 20-metre free-kick into the net after 24 minutes.

United captain Roy Keane was the guilty party. He had encroached by poking the ball away following the award of the free kick which was subsequently brought forward 10 metres -- into Fernandes's shooting range.

The lively Luis Boa Morte (twice) and defender Kit Symons, in for injured captain Chris Coleman, could have extended Fulham's lead before the interval.

United slowly wrested control of the game in the second half and went close when Keane saw his effort blocked on the line by Andy Melville.

Fulham were being pushed back though and Sheringham, fed by Luke Chadwick, made them pay the ultimate price with seconds left.