1805: A cracking finish to a rather splendid day's football if you ask me, that. If you did not have the pleasure of pictures from today's matches, don't forget to check out Match of the Day 2 this evening from 2225 GMT, with that also shown on this very website for UK users. I'll be back tomorrow evening to see if Liverpool can reignite their own push for a top-four finish against Portsmouth so make sure you join me for that - and bring the banter. Nice one.

zoobir on Twitter: "A product of Boro's Youth academy gets City out of the mire. What a beaut. A left peg to wrap in cotton wool for South Africa."

barrymanulow on 606: "That goal just saved Mancini's job. If only the defender on the line was one inch taller."

1758: Adam Johnson's first goal for Manchester City proves a point-saving one, then, and you have to say that is just about the right result from a highly competitive encounter. Roberto Mancini's men stay fifth, two points behind Tottenham but with a game in hand, while that Johnson goal makes it 10 points dropped in the 80+ minute mark for Sunderland - late goals are costing them dear this term.

Maxi_Headroom on 606: "I knew it. As Johnson was lining that up I thought 'why is NOBODY closing him down???' They gave him half an hour to choose his spot!"

1753: Sunderland bounce up the other end of the field and Darren Bent gets his head on a cross 10 yards out, but it goes wide.

Man City goal: Moments after Craig Gordon somehow keeps a deflected Craig Bellamy shot out, Adam Johnson pops up with a stunning finish, curled left-footed into the top far corner that not even Jordan Henderson on the line can keep out. That was the only way they were going to get past Gordon on this form to be fair.

1750: We will have four of your English injury-time minutes.

1748: We're into the 90th minute.

1745: Harsh. Alan Hutton goes down under Craig Bellamy's challenge just outside the box and a foul is given - but the Manchester City striker, backtracking, clearly got the ball. Either way, the free-kick comes to nothing.

1743: Time for Sunderland to start shutting up shop, with defender Phil Bardsley replacing Fraizer Campbell for the hosts.

superreds18 on 606: "Sunderland are making it hard work for City. It looks like it's not gonna be Citys day..."

1739: Craig Gordon is pretty much guaranteeing he won't be on any Manchester City fan's Christmas card list here. First he denies Craig Bellamy after the winger charges past Alan Hutton like the defender's feet are stuck in concrete, and he then mops up from Joleon Lescott when the City defender looks primed to poke in from the resulting corner.

1738: This is tense and this is frantic. Manchester City are knocking on the door with increasing regularity - and Sunderland can only hope the visitors' final ball and finishing remains as wayward as it is at the moment, Nigel de Jong is the latest to try his luck and he is the latest to take out someone in row X.

1736: The tiring Steed Malbranque, who in many ways has been Sunderland's brightest light today, is brought off to great applause from the home crowd, with Bolo Zenden his replacement.

1735: Carlos Tevez collects the ball 25 yards out, looks up, and thrashes a wild shot over the bar.

1733: Kieron Richardson bursts onto Darren Bent's pass only to see his shot charged down... and then City striker Roque Santa Cruz scoops an attempted cross high over the Sunderland bar on the counter attack. End to end stuff, but City definitely in with a shout here.

1732: Last throw of the dice from Roberto Mancini - and it's Adam Johnson, brought up in a family of Sunderland fans, on for Shaun Wright-Phillips.

1729: What. A. Save. Manchester City are crawling all over Sunderland again and Carlos Tevez must think he's levelled, getting a crucial touch on Craig Bellamy's cross four yards out, but Craig Gordon spreads himself to somehow get a leg on the shot from point-blank range. Stunning stop.

1726: Patrick Vieira rolls back the years with a glorious defence-splitting pass... but Gareth Barry is offside. Next goal wins?

1723: Patrick Vieira enters the fray at the expense of Micah Richards. A midfielder for a defender, then, so Gareth Barry could well be deployed at left-back here with Pablo Zabaleta switching to right-back.

Rob from Oxford via text: "Man City have to grasp the bull by the horns. Fourth place is there for the taking. With their games in hand, it is Man City's to lose."

1718: Jordan Henderson's free-kick drops ever so dangerously inside the Manchester City six-yard area, but it is cleared by Joleon Lescott. City, meanwhile, have Patrick Vieira and Adam Johnson warming up.

1716: Ooh-er missus. David Meyler and Gareth Barry square up as the former attempts to take a quick free-kick and after a half-hearted melee involving players on both sides, the pair are booked.

1712: Vincent Kompany meets the corner with a beautiful contact on the volley but it hits a Sunderland defender and is cleared.

1711: Manchester City look like a side that have had a rather large fire lit underneath their backsides... Craig Bellamy this time breaking down the left and Craig Gordon has to scramble his cross behind for a corner.

1709: Take a bow Craig Gordon. Manchester City forge their first two real glimpses at goal and the Scottish keeper denies them on both occasions, first from Roque Santa Cruz clean through and then Shaun Wright-Phillips's near-post shot. Better from City, that.

1708: Sunderland create the first chance of the second half on the break, but Fraizer Campbell fails to find Darren Bent with a clipped cross and Shay Given claims the ball.

1705: We're back under way.

1704: Good news for Manchester City - Kenwyne Jones has not emerged for the second half due to a muscle problem in his thigh, with promising youngster Jordan Henderson his replacement.

optajoe on Twitter: "Kenwyne Jones now has five headed Premier League goals this season, joint-most along with Rooney. Salmon."

1659: Are all of you texting in without leaving a name on your message skiving off work or something? Or is there an army of secret agents patrolling the streets monitoring this commentary? Hhmm?

Anon via text: "Sunderland are going to regret not putting this game to bed..."

1655: Oh how quickly times change. A fortnight ago and City were world-beaters after defeating Chelsea. Now, 45 minutes of football in at the Stadium of Light, and the naysayers are out in full force. In their defence, mind, City have been poor. Sunderland looking a good unit at the moment, time for Mancini to earn his half-time corn.

Anon via text: "We look no better now than we did under Hughes. And our best player Ireland isn't getting a look in. Mourinho anyone?"

Anon via text: "If he thinks he deserves a new contract, then he should earn it. Wright-Phillips has been diabolical."

1647: Manchester City are hanging on a bit at the moment and from their perspective, I'm sure half time couldn't come quick enough. This time Sunderland plead with Chris Foy for a penalty following Joleon Lescott's forecful challenge on Fraizer Campbell in the box, but their appeals are waved away. TV replays suggest Lescott might just have got his foot to the ball.

1642: Shaun Wright-Phillips goes in heavily on David Meyler and the winger's name is taken in the book. Manchester City already have more cards today than my mum, bless 'er. I'll double up next year, though - that counts right?

Anon via text: "City are lacking Stephen Ireland's creativity and energy in midfield. Hope for their sake Mancini brings him on in the 2nd half."

1638: Half an opening for Darren Bent, but he scuffs his shot left-footed after cutting in from the right and the City defence can clear. Up the other end, Sunderland are a little aggrieved after Alan Hutton goes down after a heavy challenge from Gareth Barry, but nothing is given by referee Chris Foy.

1637: Now then, that City change has seen Pablo Zabaleta moved to left back and Roque Santa Cruz pushed up alongside Carlos Tevez in a more conventional 4-4-2.

1635: Kieron Richardson tries his luck from the free-kick 35 yards out, but his connection is poor and it goes wide.

1634: I tell you what, Micah Richards is possibly a bit lucky there, the City defender going over the ball and crunching into Steed Malbranque. Clumsy rather than malicious, perhaps, but it did not look good. Booking.

1633: Here's a bit of a surprise - Wayne Bridge, who has heavy strapping on his leg - is substituted by Roberto Mancini, replaced by frontman Roque Santa Cruz. Will keep you posted on what that means for City's shape.

1631: Close. The first proper glimpse at goal for Manchester City, who have upped their own tempo in the last few minutes. Micah Richards and Carlos Tevez bully their way into the Sunderland box and the ball falls to Gareth Barry, who turns his shot inches past the post.

1627: The Stadium of Light crowd are full of applause at the moment, inspired by their team's admirable application. Fraizer Campbell is the latest Sunderland player to have a pop at goal, but his left-foot drive is in no danger of troubling the City goal.

1624: Manchester City really haven't settled yet, with Sunderland's hustle and bustle causing them all sorts of problems. Kenwyne Jones tries his luck from range this time, but it drifts wide.

stalteri_at_upton via text: "RE 1615: It would mean absolutely nothing. Next."

sosollaz on 606: "Kenwyne Jones... The greatest Welsh striker to have never represented Wales."

1619: Steed Malbranque and Kenwyne Jones combine again, but this time the striker's header is easily held by Shay Given.

1617: Sunderland, clearly buoyed by their recent win over Bolton, are competing all over the pitch, strangling Manchester City's attempts at creative football. Whether they can maintain this tempo for 90 minutes is anyone's guess, though.

1615: I'm not normally one for outlandish comments (!) but here's a thought - Manchester City's 4-3 defeat of Sunderland in December was played out in the strangest of atmospheres with Mark Hughes' imminent departure to come. What would defeat to Sunderland today mean for Roberto Mancini's tenure? Excuse me while I take cover...

1611: Carlos Tevez goes into the book for a rash ol' challenge on Sunderland defender Michael Turner. I think it is fair to say that goal has rattled the City players early on... still, plenty of time for the visitors to get back into this one.

Sunderland goal: A matter of seconds after we in the office were commenting that almost nothing has happened so far and Sunderland take the lead. Steed Malbranque is the creator, turning inside on the left-hand side of the box and crossing for Kenwyne Jones to leap unchallenged and loop an unstoppable header into the corner of the net.

20ledge-kb on 606: "Re: 1602: A 15-minute British summer. Never changes really."

1605: We're five minutes in and Craig Bellamy is already cursing. The Welshman feels he was nudged off the ball by Sunderland right-back Alan Hutton, but nothing is given.

1602: NEWSFLASH Roberto Mancini has got his scarf on. I repeat, Mancini has got his scarf on. Summer. Is. Over. Boo.

1600: And we're under way at the Stadium of Light. Can Manchester City maintain their push for top-four finish, or will Sunderland continue their mini-resurgence and pull further away from the relegation zone? We're about 110 minutes away from finding out.

Sam from Beckenham via text: "You can use stats to prove anything, 90% of people know that! Sunderland for a 2-1 win."

trickeychurchill on Twitter: "Perhaps the most damning stat regarding Sunderland is that they have won only 3 of the last 23, with 10 draws, and 10 losses?"

1557: Here come the teams, kick off is matter of minutes away.

fusenuk on Twitter: "Ignore the stats, either a draw or Sunderland to win."

1553: Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini: "I remember the win at Stamford Bridge last time out very well. It is important that we play a good game again like we did at Stamford Bridge. As for my selection, Shaun worked very well this week and I think it is right he has the chance today. It will be a difficult game because Sunderland have played well over their last two games."

1550: Sunderland manager Steve Bruce: "It has been a tough few weeks so it was nice to get a victory against Bolton. There were little shoots of recovery, we had done well, but just failed to get a win before that. Now we have an outstanding chance of getting something out of this game. We are still looking over our shoulder (at the bottom three) but we have got ourselves in a good position."

MalagaVillan on 606: "I'm surprised to see Man City as such overwhelming favourites. Mancini is not as good as everybody thinks. I fancy Sunderland to get something here."

1546: NEWSFLASH Roberto Mancini is not wearing a scarf, I repeat, Mancini is not wearing a scarf. Summer. Is. Here. Yay.

1545: Of course when we said Manchester City were unchanged, what we meant was that Shaun Wright-Phillips has been drafted in for Adam Johnson on the wing. But then you knew that, right?

ronaldoforthewin on 606: "Hope City win and put even more pressure on Hoofpool."

1541: Just to add further weight to the City-are-odds-on-to-beat-Sunderland-today argument - Sunderland have only picked up seven points in 14 matches when Lee Cattermole has not been available - and the midfielder is out again today. Sunderland's win over Bolton last week was their first in 108 days, or 14 league ties if you like. Manchester City beat Chelsea last time out, and won the reverse fixture in a seven-goal thriller before Christmas. Sunderland have no chance do they?

1536: TEAM NEWS Sunderland v Man City
Sunderland boss Steve Bruce makes two enforced changes to the side that beat Bolton 4-0 in their last league outing, Lee Cattermole missing out with a hamstring strain and Lorik Cana suspended. In come Kieran Richardson and David Meyler. Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini sticks with the same starting XI that beat Chelsea 4-2 at Stamford Bridge last time out. Patrick Vieira returns from suspension and is handed a place on the bench alongside Kolo Toure, who has recovered from a knee injury.

1532: And so we direct our attention to the north east and Sunderland v Man City, a massive match for both sides. The Black Cats, looking for back-to-back league wins for the time in 15 months, face a side on a run of nine straight victories against them. Ouch.

1530: TEAMS Sunderland v Man City
Sunderland: Gordon, Hutton, Turner, Mensah, Ferdinand, Campbell, Richardson, Meyler, Malbranque, Jones, Bent. Subs: Carson, Bardsley, McCartney, Zenden, Henderson, Da Silva, Kilgallon.
Man City: Given, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Zabaleta, De Jong, Barry, Bellamy, Tevez. Subs: Taylor, Ireland, Adam Johnson, Santa Cruz, Sylvinho, Vieira, Toure.
Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

From George in Essex via text: "Anyone else noticed the return of clean sheets since Vidic and Rio have returned?"

1528: A word on Fulham, too, who might have looked a little out of their depth today, but then there is no shame in that at Old Trafford. The Cottagers will now look to their Europa League and FA Cup charges with mid-table security a given, and I dare say a fair few would have swapped a loss at Man Utd for a win over Juventus on Thursday right? Massive game that for Roy Hodgson's much-improved unit.

1525: Manchester United are back on top of the Premier League, then, with 66 points from 30 games. Chelsea, with 64 from 29 games, and Arsenal, 64 from 30, follow and wins for all three this weekend mean things are very much as you were up there and all is still to play for. Only eight goals separate the teams on goal difference, too. Ber-limey.

Brummerdickens on 606: "In Fulham's defence, we have to remember that a 3-0 drubbing makes it honours even between these two sides this season."

Man Utd goal: There's the goal his performance has deserved. Wayne Rooney's sublime crossfield pass finds Ji-Sung Park, whose cross is headed in from close in by Dimitar Berbatov.

1517: Fabio da Silva comes on for Gary Neville.

1515: Rooney is now 10 goals short of Cristiano Ronaldo's magnificent 42-goal haul of 2007-08. Our friends at Infostrada Sports point out that he's just matched George Best's 32-goal haul from the 1967-68 season. Which is nice.

Man Utd goal: That's the game, and who else but Wayne Rooney is the goalscorer. He owes it all to Dimitar Berbatov, though, who drives inside from the right with no little skill and pulls it back to the England striker to sweep into the corner.

1511: Well well well - man of the live-text-commentary-debate moment Darren Fletcher glides his way into the Fulham box and pulls the trigger, forcing a fine stop over his head from visiting keeper Mark Schwarzer. United should be out of sight in this match to be fair.

1507: If anyone deserves a goal today, it's arguably Dimitar Berbatov - but he spurns another good chance as Ji-Sung Park's clever cross finds him unmarked, the Bulgarian glancing his header wide from eight yards out.

4fabregas on 606: "Re: 1504 - That's why Zamora can't possibly be considered worthy of an England place."

Steve in Leighton Buzzard via text: "Darren Fletcher, captain of Scotland, can't play for England. How dense are some people?"

1504: And there you go - out of nowhere, and with United looking comfortable, Fulham should be level. Erik Nevland's flick finds Bobby Zamora, onside, clear of the home defence and with just the keeper to beat but he dallies too long and Nemanja Vidic gets back to tackle.

1503: Gary Neville crosses from deep but Wayne Rooney can only get a tame header on it and it limps wide of the Fulham goal.

1502: Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia, who has been very quiet this afternoon, is replaced by Ji-Sung Park.

1500: Back to matters at Old Trafford and Fulham are starting to make the odd foray into the opposition half. Striker Erik Nevland is coming on for Clint Dempsey now... and while it remains only 1-0...

Marcus in Torquay via text: "Re: Fletcher 'debate'. England putting him in the starting XI is the equivalent of having an iTunes, but choosing to listen to a Simply Red cassette."
(NB other MP3 download services are available)

CJ, London via text: "Re 1438: It's a cracker, isn't it? Fletcher isn't as naturally talented as the Gerrards, Lampards etc. but he does give something that England lack; a "water carrier". But do you sacrifice skill, flair and goals for grit, determination and drive? Difficult."

1454: Close. Rio Ferdinand swings at a Nani corner and his neat hooked volley is only inches from creeping in.

Anant from Mumbai via text: "Re: 1434 - the question is not hypothetical, the proposition is."

1451: Here's a sign of intent from Fulham boss Roy Hodgson - Brede Hangeland comes off to be replaced by Jonathan Greening, though the defender apparently has a sore head from an earlier challenge.

1449: Man Utd are back in full control - and Fulham can only hope the hosts' best chances keep falling to Nani. The Portuguese winger has impressed with his build-up play today, but his finishing has been, let's say, forgettable. His latest effort troubles no-one other than those sat 30 rows back. High, wide and not very handsome.

1445: Danny Murphy goes into the book for a rather unnecessarily hard tackle on Michael Carrick.

1444: Scramble! Playground rules at Old Trafford as Nani and Wayne Rooney take turns to swing shots in from close range with Fulham defenders scrambling from all corners of the field to block the ball. The defence wins and the chances go awry. Let-off, that.

1441: Not much by way of a response from Fulham just yet, with Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick (dream England centre-midfield pairing?) starting to control the middle of the park.

1438: That strike takes Wayne Rooney's tally to 31 club goals for the season, 15 in his last 11 matches. He is, not quite literally, on fire. Cracking question from Anon via text that below, by the way, with a pretty even 50-50 split on 606,Twitter and via text by the look of things. I've already changed my mind 372 times.

Man Utd goal: It has taken all of 30 of your English second-half seconds and Manchester United are ahead. Dimitar Berbatov and Nani both play their part, with the latter's ball into the box stroked into the corner by the unmarked Wayne Rooney 10 yards out. Clinical.

1434: Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has replaced Simon Davies with Damien Duff - and we're back under way at Old Trafford. By the way, in response to Anon via text below - no.

Anon via text: "Sam, maybe you can decide this hypothetical question for me and my mates. Would Darren Fletcher (were he English) be in your starting XI for England in the World Cup? We had a massive debate/argument for hours in the pub last night and are still no further to an answer. Thoughts?"

1430: A reminder - as things stand, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal, in that order, are all on 64 points at the top of the Premier League. To ape optajoe's style... tight.

JohnnyComeEarly: "This match stinks of an upset."

hafijur on 606: "What we can say is that out of the top three, Man Utd are the most wasteful in front of goal."

ArsenalArseneArshavin on 606: "United will score eventually."

1422: According to our stats on this match, Manchester United enjoyed 64% of possession in that half and managed 10 goal attempts on target and five off target, which tells you something about which team has been dominating this encounter doesn't it? Still, Fulham fans will happily settle for goalless at half time... right?

1415: Wayne Rooney has a pop from 25 yards, it looks like troubling Mark Schwarzer all the way... until it drifts wide.

optajoe on Twitter: "69% of the goals Fulham have scored this season have come in the second half - the highest proportion in the top flight. Patience."

1412: Our friends at Infostrada Sports might have just put the hex on the Cottagers. They tell us that in the Premier League, Fulham never reached half time at Old Trafford without conceding a goal.

thomavenel on Twitter: "RE 1351 and Zamora for England: I think it was Cheesy who started the bandwagon. Credit where it's due."

1410: Edwin van der Sar, a mere spectator in the home goal for much of the first half so far, suddenly finds himself into no-man's-land when Danny Murphy's ball over the top sets Bobby Zamora free and onside, but the Fulham striker gets too much on his attempted lob and it drifts over the United bar. Decent chance, that.

1409: Dimitar Berbatov feeds Wayne Rooney, whose shot is deflected behind by a Fulham defender - claims for a handball against Stephen Kelly look uber-optimistic, though. We're 37 minutes gone and Fulham continue to hang on.

1406: It's all United at the moment and yet clear-cut chances are just not opening up for them. Wayne Rooney, this time, heads a Nani pass straight at Mark Shwarzer from the edge of the area. The much maligned Dimitar Berbatov, by the way, is enjoying a cracking start to this match. Except for that headed miss, of course.

1403: Nani works space well from the left but just when it looks like opening up in front of him, he tries to take another touch, take on another defender, and the chance is gone.

1401: Snap-shot from Wayne Rooney 20 yards out, beaten away on the stretch by Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer. That was United's first shot on target of the match.

1359: Manchester United very much in control of proceedings at Old Trafford, but with nothing to show for it I'd wager Roy Hodgson is not sitting too uncomfortably in the away dugout.

1356: Another fine United move and another golden chance goes awry. Dimitar Berbatov starts and, almost, finishes the move, getting on the end of a Nani cross unmarked only to head it over from six yards out. Let-off for Fulham. Again.

1353: A few penalty shouts from the hosts as Wayne Rooney, trying to get on the end of a Gary Neville cross, is muscled out of it by Fulham defender Stephen Kelly - referee Mike Jones, in his first game at Old Trafford, is unmoved.

1351: Bobby Zamora is not the only in-form England striker on show today of course and plenty of you, and some members of our office who shall remain unnamed (*cough*... Stevo) have been tipping him for a World Cup spot. Well unfortunately, he's so confident he won't get called up he's already booked his summer holiday to Las Vegas. Started well enough again today, though.

lfc in South Africa via text: "As much I respect Rooney, how come no one's talking about (Chelsea striker Didier) Drogba, who's scored 27 goals this season."

1347: Zoltan Gera's effort is deflected behind for a corner - but it comes to nothing.

1344: I tell you what, that's not too far away - Clint Dempsey tries his luck from 25 yards but it dips narrowly over the bar. Fulham holding their own at the moment.

Dean_machine on 606: "Oh, Fletcher should have shot there."

1341: Great move from United and only a fabulous challenge from Stephen Kelly stops the hosts taking an early lead. Dimitar Berbatov sets Darren Fletcher free in the box and the Scot's roll across goal is just begging to be slammed in by the onrushing Wayne Rooney - only for Kelly to get across the striker, put him off, and Rooney fluffs.

1339: United frontman Dimitar Berbatov has the first half-effort on goal with a header but it drifts harmlessly wide. Those of you listening out for the footy on Five Live, by the way, will hear coverage of this match following the conclusion of the Bahrain Grand Prix in a couple of laps' time. Happy days.

1336: Three-and-a-half minutes in and United earn their first corner... but Nani's swinger is easily cleared and it comes to nothing. No great surprises in terms of shape by the look of things and no special measures taken to combat Wayne Rooney. Yet.

1334: By the way, an amendment to the United bench sees Corry Evans take his place as substitute in place of Paul Scholes. We're not sure why yet, but I'll keep you posted as and when.

Our_Cesc_is_on_fire on 606: "Re: 1326 - I think you should just get it out the way and marry the lad. You are obsessed. He's Wayne Rooney, not Thierry Henry."

1332: Under way at Old Trafford.

1329: The teams are out and about at a packed Old Trafford and we're moments away from kick-off. The pressure may be off them according to their boss, but can Fulham do their London rivals a favour and do a job on United just as they did in December? The FA Cup and Europa League must be put to one side if they are to do so, and we're moments away from finding out how they're going to get on...

CoachMuke on 606: "All teams always try to stop Rooney but when they do so, 'Own Goals' scores. And they cant stop both. So, its either they stop Rooney or 'Own Goals'."

1326: Did I hear that right? Jamie "I do kick-ups on the beach dressed in a suit while my missus walks a horse" Redknapp reckons Wayne Rooney has not scored a goal from outside the area in more than two years? Cue a screamer from the frontman from about 35 yards today, I'd say. Probably, given his form, with his head.

TimBo in Oxford via text: "Re: 1304. My money's on Utd who's defence looks dangerously near full strength again, but my heart's with Fulham. Either way no money is changing hands cos I'm stuck at work."

1324: Roy Hodgson on opponent's United: "The pressure is larger on United. They're going for the big prize, the Premier League title. We're aiming to boost our chances of staying in this league, but we're already well-placed so it's greater pressure on them."

1320: Sir Alex Ferguson on their title charge: "It's full on, we'll go for it. We're at home, so everyone knows we're going to have a right go and attack as best we can. It's a great experience to be involved in the title race, and it could be different this season because there are three teams involved."

Moobabe on 606: "RE 13:15 - Which window is your office? Game on."

Heather, Manchester, via text: "My mum has tailored her day around the City match. As a United fan this means I miss our match and have to watch City - very upsetting."

Filip on 606: "I wonder why don't teams man-mark Rooney? They know he is good and scores every game so surely if somebody follows him throughout the match and gets in his face he will most likely be quiet, wont he?"

1315: By the way, not sure about anyone else, but my Twitter page is playing up like a seven-year-old on too much fizzy pop so your best bet is to post on 606 or text in. Or you could just pop along to Television Centre and aim a paper aeroplane with your missive written on it through my office window. Fair play to anyone who manages it.

1312: Bless ol' Tigerdoom below for worrying about United's travels (they're at Old Trafford today) - but he can comfort himself with the form of the one and only Wayne Rooney. The striker - who holds England's World Cup hopes almost solely in his hands - has 14 goals in his last 10 matches and his tally for the season is already at 30. Stop him and you stop United, some say. Of course that is not necessarily true, and nor is it very easy to do. Good luck Fulham...

1309: TEAM NEWS Man Utd v Fulham
Dimitar Berbatov returns to the Manchester United line-up in place of Ji-Sung Park, partnering Wayne Rooney up front, while Michael Carrrick is back after suspension and comes in for Paul Scholes from the team that defeated AC Milan at Old Trafford. Fulham make four changes from the side defeated by Juventus in Turin on Thursday, with Stephen Kelly, Nicky Shorey, Danny Murphy and Clint Dempsey all coming into the side.

Tigerdoom on 606: "I am feeling a little edgy about this game, we don't usually travel well on a sunny Sunday in London. Hope I'm wrong!"

Uche via text: "Camon! Fulham go do your fellow Londoners a favour. Grab all three points. Zamora, Dempsey n Duff show ur abilities."

1304: And revenge is in the air for Fergie's side, having tasted defeat the last two times they have met Fulham, including a 3-0 reverse to Roy Hodgson's side before Christmas. Fulham are also unbeaten in five matches and have conceded just once in seven-and-a-half hours of Premier League football. The Cottagers' poor away record (no wins in their last 13 league matches) mark United out as favourites, but few will call this a foregone conclusion I'm sure. Where's your money?

1259: For the time being, then, let us focus on the day's first match - Manchester United v Fulham - a tie that could have a huge bearing on the destination of this year's Premier League title. Victory would see United - who currently boast their lowest points total at this stage of the season for four years - return to the top of the pile, two points ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal but having played a game more than the former. Lose, and Sir Alex Ferguson's side remain third and off the pace set by their London rivals. Big, big game.

eccles45 on 606: "Sam - a tad sexist. This here mother has asked the sons not to waste money on over-priced flowers etc. All meals have been tailored around the football, so we can ALL enjoy them."

1255: TEAMS Man Utd v Fulham
Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Fletcher, Nani, Berbatov, Rooney. Subs: Kuszczak, Park, Scholes, Fabio Da Silva, Obertan, Diouf, Gill.
Fulham: Schwarzer, Kelly, Hangeland, Hughes, Shorey, Davies, Murphy, Baird, Dempsey, Gera, Zamora. Subs: Zuberbuhler, Okaka, Nevland, Duff, Stoor, Greening, Dikgacoi.
Referee: Michael Jones (Cheshire)

Patrick on 606: "If Man Utd can win today, portraying our title credentials with conviction and purpose, then I think it'll send out a massive message to Arsenal and Chelsea that #19 is on the way."

1250: Two massive games, permutations aplenty, and all from the comfort of your sofa then. Don't you just love Sunday football? If so, why not get in touch and lend me your thoughts. You can Tweet me, you can get involved on 606, and you can even text in via 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide). So no excuses.

1249: Anyway, by golly it's interesting at and near the top of the Premier League isn't it? Just a point separates the top three in the table thanks to Arsenal's last-gasp defeat of Hull on Saturday, while the race for fourth is as open as ever with any one of four clubs still bang in the mix for a Champions League spot. Many a wave can be made on both fronts today, with title-chasers Manchester United hosting Fulham and fourth-spot hopefuls Manchester City in action against Sunderland, victory for whom would provide another welcome shot in the arm in their battle against relegation. Jubbly.

1247: By the way, erm, Happy Mother's Day mum, you're the best.

1245: They brought us into this world. They raised us through the toil of our younger years. They fed us, watered us, taught us. They are our mothers - and this is their day. So hand over your cards, give them that bunch of flowers, leave them to their chocolates... and kick back for a top day's Premier League football action. It's the business end of the season and it's what they would want. Honest.