That didn't take long, did it? Despite missing a month with a knee injury, Clint Dempsey is right back where he belongs for Fulham: front and center. He made a substitute's appearance in the midweek Europa League loss to Juventus, and on Sunday he made his return to the first team for the Cottagers' visit to Manchester United.
Not that he made much of a difference. A second-half onslaught by United paved the way to a 3-0 win at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney continued his blazing form, scoring twice, and Dimitar Berbatov struck a late icer. United now sit atop the Premiership standings, two points ahead of Chelsea, who have played one fewer game.
In other Manchester United news, the war of words over the future of Manchester United's ownership grew louder, as Keith Harris, who is heading up the so-called Red Knights consortium, claimed he is confident his group's takeover bid will succeed.
"It might not be this season," he told the New of the World, "but let's say the Glazers [the current owners] have to meet an interest bill and they haven't got the cashflow through the business, then there's only one asset they can sell and that's amongst the players."
England
High-priced, high-profile Manchester City looked set to fall to decidedly more budget-conscious Sunderland until Adam Johnson's brilliant stoppage-time equalizer--a feathery curling shot into the upper 90--gave the Citizens a 1-1 draw and a share of the points.
Scotland
Rangers conceded two goals in the final half hour to draw with Dundee United, 3-3, in the Scottish Cup. Americans Maurice Edu and Damarcus Beasley subbed on late in the game.
Italy
A Sunday of goalfests in Serie A action was highlighted by Genoa's 5-3 win over Cagliari. Roma's 3-3 draw away to Livorno kept the Giallorossi from closing the gap on league leaders Inter.
Not to be outdone, 5th-placed Juventus somehow blew a three-goal lead to draw with bottom side Siena in Turin. A win would have seen them leapfrog Palermo, who lost 3-2 away to Udinese, into the final Champions League spot.
France
Rennes built on last week's win with a second consecutive victory, this time over Valenciennes, 2-0. Sylvain Marveaux and Asamoah Gyan both scored in the first half, while U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra went 90 minutes for the third straight match.
Bordeaux and Montpelier, who both earned draws this weekend, remain tied atop the league table, although Bordeaux has a game in hand.
