Wanted: one positive league match achieved with ample confidence and consistency. Willing to exchange a victorious cup result in trade. Not to take too much of the gloss of this FA cup success, but if Manchester United were able to secure a 2-1 league win against Fulham last week, then the Red Devils would currently be only 3 points behind Arsenal in the premiership. As it stands, Arsenal now hold a 5 point advantage in the competition which is now United's most difficult challenge to win. h3. Success Nonetheless Rueful comparisons to league play aside, this FA Cup quarter-final match was an impressive outing for Manchester United. Though Fulham's opening goal from a penalty came off a miserable tackle by Wes Brown, the home side had been favourably attacking down Fulham's left flank. The strategy was obvious: get the ball out to Cristiano Ronaldo and pick on Adam Greene, Fulham's reserve team left back. The pressure would eventually take its toll on the Fulham defence. Yet, United's first goal came from the other flank. Ryan Giggs received the ball on a deep run down the left touchline and whipped a cross into the Fulham goalmouth. With such great service freeing him of his markers, Ruud Van Nistlerooy made short work of his point blank oppurtunity and tied up the game on the 25th minute. It had only been two minutes since Steed Malbranque had converted Fulham's penalty and United's quick equalizer denied the Cottagers a chance to dictate the game. Goal two came from a similar cross and tap on the right side. This time, it was Cristiano Ronaldo who latched onto the ball deep in the fulham half and provided another cross for Van Nistlerooy to tap in. It was a fine goal that capped Van Nistlerooy's man of the match performance but Cristiano Ronaldo did exceptionally well to supply his prolific teammate. All told, this match was a FA Cup job well done. Now if only the rematch with Porto and the rest of the premiership thereafter could be dealt with in a similar manner...