RUUD VAN NISTELROOY scored twice as Manchester United came from behind to beat Fulham 3-2 at Craven Cottage yesterday, writes Derek Clements. Wayne Rooney was also on target in a match that saw United, for whom the Korean midfielder Ji-Sung Park played a starring role, maintain an extraordinary record — they have won every one of the 16 games in which the England forward has scored for the club.

Fulham, who haven’t beaten United at home since 1964, went ahead through Collins John after two minutes. But United were soon back on terms, with Van Nistelrooy equalising from the penalty spot in the 17th minute, following a foul on Park by Moritz Volz, and a minute later Rooney put them ahead. Claus Jensen made it 2-2 before Van Nistelrooy completed the scoring with his ninth goal of the season just before half-time.

Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted with his team’s performance and, in particular, with the form of Park, his summer signing from PSV Eindhoven. The midfielder couldn’t have chosen a better time to have his best match in a United shirt, coming at the end of a week in which Roy Keane announced this will be his final season at Old Trafford. “Park was exceptional and I am really pleased with the progress he is making, his movement off the ball in particular,” said the manager. The home team were without defender Zat Knight, who was fined after breaking a curfew in midweek.

Chelsea, the Premiership leaders, play Liverpool at Anfield today, but second-place Charlton couldn’t take advantage of their inactivity, throwing away a two-goal lead as they lost 3-2 at home to Tottenham. Darren Bent struck both Charlton goals in front of the watching England coach Sven-Göran Eriksson, and may have done enough to secure a place in the squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Poland. Bent has now scored seven League goals in as many games.

The Addicks seemed to be coasting until Ledley King pulled a goal back for Spurs in the 51st minute. Mido hit the equaliser

13 minutes later before substitute Robbie Keane completed the comeback when he hit the winner in the 81st minute. The victory moved Spurs level on points with Charlton.

Blackburn Rovers, who beat Manchester United last weekend, won again, defeating West Brom 2-0 with two goals from Finnish striker Shefki Kuqi. Newcastle United travelled to Portsmouth without £15m striker Michael Owen, missing because of a dead leg, and escaped with a goalless draw thanks to keeper Shay Given. Sunderland and West Ham shared the spoils at the Stadium of Light last night. The home side went one up through Tommy Miller on the stroke of half-time, but Yossi Benayoun pounced in the 72nd minute to level the score at 1-1.

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