Mike Walters on Fulham 0-5 Man United: Why this Craven display was so far from their Best
Fulham 0-5 Man United: Jones injury mars five-star performance
George Best, the finest player ever to grace Manchester United and Fulham shirts, was once asked where all his money had gone.
The legend gave the question due consideration and, after a short burst of mental arithmetic, delivered his calculation.
"I would say 90 per cent went on women, fast cars and booze," said Best. "The rest I just squandered."
By the time Best made one of his short-lived comebacks at Craven Cottage 35 years ago, he had a great future behind him as a footballer but he was destined for a long career at the bar.
But even in his most decadent, self-destructive mode, dear old George never went AWOL like Fulham's defence in Wednesday night's apocalypse.
It takes a lot to upset genteel folk brought up on Johnny Haynes, George Cohen and Jimmy Hill. Even when they lose the outstanding Chris Smalling to Old Trafford and get Philippe Senderos in his place.
And Fulham crowds always reserved a warm welcome for superannuated signings like Best, Bobby Moore and Alan Mullery, even when they turned the Cottage into a waiting room at the Department of Work and Pensions in the seventies.
But they will not put up with this shambles again.
Martin Jol's side is one of only three to deny leaders Manchester City maximum spoils in the Premier League this season, they have beaten Liverpool and took a point at the Emirates, so this was clearly a bad night at the office.
But the concerto of boos which serenaded Jol should serve as a warning to the Dutchman that even the most amiable crowd in the country have only finite patience.
"It was a horror scenario. Conceding an early goal did not help but we made it too easy for them," lamented Jol.
Tube strike or not, Fulham supporters should have been relishing their short trip two stops up the District Line on Boxing Day.
Instead, Jol will be looking over his shoulder.
After the Best of times, the jury is out on his reign - and it is never a good sign when the natives are restless down Putney Bridge way.
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