MANCHESTER UNITED v FULHAM, 5-1 Sun 20 Aug 2006Playing together for the first time since their World Cup altercation, the duo both scored in an incredible opening 20 minutes which saw the Red Devils establish a four-goal lead.
After Liverpool and Arsenal slipped at the first hurdle on the opening day, the Red Devils were in no mood to make it a hat-trick of big-name fallers.
At that stage, Cottagers boss Chris Coleman must have feared his side would be on the wrong end of a landslide.
In the end though, the Red Devils settled for just one more, with Rooney signing off before a three-game ban with a well-taken second.
If nothing else, those first, incredible minutes totally swept away any sense of trepidation many United fans felt at the onset of another new campaign.
In Saha, Rooney and Ronaldo, the Red Devils boast three of the quickest players in the Barclays Premiership, in both thought and deed.
Ferguson has boldly predicted Saha will score a minimum 20 goals this season if he remains injury free.
It is a big if, yet one the United boss has gambled on in opting not to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy.
On the ground where he scored twice on his Barclays Premiership debut for Fulham five years ago, Saha took just eight minutes to open his account, rising highest to nod home Ryan Giggs’ left wing cross.
Coleman must have been alarmed by the slack marking which provided Saha with his opportunity and it was not long before he was wishing the season could start all over again.
Set free by Giggs, Rooney found his initial run on goal blocked but, after finding Ronaldo, the England striker continued his run and panicked Pearce into turning Saha’s low cross into his own net.
Saha was heavily involved in the third too, meeting a Gary Neville cross with an acrobatic volley Antti Niemi did well to keep out, only for Rooney to sidefoot home the rebound.
All that was left now was a goal for Ronaldo, which duly arrived in impressive fashion just two minutes later.
The predictable boos for the Portugal winger from the visiting end when his name was read out seconds before kick-off had been drowned out by the enthusiastic cheers from home supporters in a Barclays Premiership record 75,000 crowd.
Playing with Rooney for the first time since their altercation in Gelsenkirchen, Ronaldo drifted intelligently to the far post when his young team-mate collected the ball by the left touchline.
Rooney’s cross was outstanding, the finish unstoppable as Ronaldo drilled a half volley into the roof of Niemi’s net.
Understandably perhaps, some of the fire began to go out of United’s play, although Scholes rapped a post with a vicious 30-yard drive; the rebound almost bouncing in off Niemi’s head.
Saha went close either side of the interval, by which time Fulham had at least grabbed an early consolation when Heidar Helguson’s shot cannoned in off Rio Ferdinand’s shoulder.
On his last appearance for club or country before the middle of next month, Rooney drove home his second from Wes Brown’s cut-back, then set up Ronaldo for what would have been United’s sixth had the winger not drilled his shot just wide.
Darren Fletcher, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored the goals to ensure United made light of the absence of the suspended Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes.
With Rooney and Scholes out, Ryan Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo took top billing - the Portuguese star rising to jeers from some of the home crowd with a dazzling performance.
Fletcher, a replacement for Scholes, scored a fine goal four minutes after the break before Frenchman Saha wrapped it up 10 minutes from time, with Solskjaer adding a last-gasp third after replacing Giggs.
United had £18.6million signing Michael Carrick as a surprise substitute.
The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder made an earlier than expected comeback to the squad after an ankle injury and manager Sir Alex Ferguson promoted Fletcher, Park Ji-Sung and Mikael Silvestre to the starting line-up with Gary Neville ruled out.
Charlton's only change from the 3-1 defeat at West Ham United was defender Jon Fortune for the suspended Djimi Traore.
There was a predictable outburst of booing from some sections of the Charlton support when Ronaldo's name was announced in the United line-up, despite his public show of peace and harmony with Rooney during their 5-1 win over Fulham on Sunday.
By contrast Charlton's new boss Iain Dowie was given a generous round of applause on his home debut.
Ronaldo raised a cheer at last from the Charlton fans by firing well off target from Fletcher's pass in the seventh minute.
Charlton's first opening came after 10 minutes when Bryan Hughes knocked the ball down for Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink to half-volley wide from 18 yards.
Ronaldo tried to catch Charlton keeper Scott Carson unawares with a quick free-kick but curled it over the bar, then in the 22nd minute Hasselbaink's header from Amady Faye's ball lacked power.
A minute later a good raid down United's right by Fletcher ended with a decent cross which the leaping Park headed wide.
The South Korean had another chance seconds later when found in space by Rio Ferdinand, but Carson was able to make a sprawling save.
Ronaldo almost earned United a 27th-minute lead when he won a free-kick 20 yards out after a foul by Luke Young. Giggs stepped up to take it, bending his shot around the Charlton wall and striking the far post.
Charlton hit back when United were stretched to repel a raid led by Darren Bent. Having cleared only as far as Hughes, they were happy to see the midfielder's shot deflect off Silvestre for a corner.
Charlton appealed for a penalty when the ball seemed to strike Patrice Evra's arm soon afterwards but referee Chris Foy turned them down.
United won another free-kick for another foul on Ronaldo by Hermann Hreidarsson, who was booked, but the Portugal star blasted his long-range shot well over.
Ferdinand was then booked for a foul on Hreidarsson six minutes before half-time.
Hesitant defending by Charlton almost cost them a goal in the 43rd minute when Giggs charged through and powered a low drive which Carson brilliantly tipped wide.
Then Ronaldo burst through, only to see his rising shot cannon away off the crossbar.
United had a scare at the start of the second half when Ambrose tried a speculative shot from 30 yards and Edwin van der Sar watched it glide just beyond the far post.
But in the 49th minute United grabbed the goal which had been coming for a while.
Midfielder Fletcher held off two challenges inside the area before drilling his shot past Carson.
From Ronaldo's cross, Park's volley then crashed into a post.
Hreidarsson tried to revive Charlton and was up from left-back for a corner to trouble Van der Sar with a header after 63 minutes.
Charlton replaced Hasselbaink with Marcus Bent two minutes later.
Darren Bent showed United were still in a game with a thrusting run and a shot which just cleared the bar with 16 minutes left.
Carrick was brought on for a run in midfield in place of Park for the last 13 minutes.
Giggs could have clinched it with a left-footed shot which sailed over after a purposeful run through the middle.
United doubled their lead in the 80th minute when Saha drilled a low drive from 20 yards after Brown's long ball picked him out.
Carson bravely stopped substitute Solskjaer adding a third when the Norwegian was clean through on to a Carrick pass with two minutes left.
Solskjaer made amends by adding the third from a Saha pull-back just before the start of added time.
WATFORD v MANCHESTER UNITED, 1-2 Sat 26 Aug 2006
With the match level at 1-1, Watford missed a marvellous chance to take the lead and were promptly punished when Ryan Giggs - outstanding throughout in the visitors' midfield - seized on substitute Matthew Spring's wayward back pass to score the winner after 51 minutes.
Mikael Silvestre had earlier finished off a brilliant move involving Giggs and Louis Saha to put United in front in the 13th minute but this Watford side possess an unquenchable competitive spirit, and they equalised through Damien Francis 21 minutes later.
Michael Carrick made his first league start for United since his £18.6million move from Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the summer, while Richard Lee started in goal for Watford as Ben Foster was ineligible under the terms of his loan move from Old Trafford.
Watford began with the same purpose and tenacity that characterised their 1-1 draw with West Ham United in midweek and, briefly, Sir Alex Ferguson's side looked rattled.
Having negotiated the opening stages, United began to make their superior passing and movement tell.
Carrick's curling cross in the 10th minute forced Lee to back-pedal quickly and tip over and from Ryan Giggs' resulting right-wing corner, Cristiano Ronaldo headed just wide of the left post from six yards.
United had to wait only two more minutes before they took the lead with a goal of beautiful simplicity.
Giggs made a menacing run from inside his own half before releasing Louis Saha, who slipped the ball to his left for Silvestre to burst into the penalty area and drill an angled, left-footed shot just inside the right post.
In the 27th minute Lee made a stunning save to deny Saha, who found space at the near post to direct Giggs' fiercely swerving corner towards goal with his head.
Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd, perhaps recognising the visitors' superiority in midfield, brought off wide man Hameur Bouazza and sent on Spring to give his team more bite and resolve in the centre of the pitch.
The move paid off within three minutes as Watford - who had shown superb spirit when United were at their most dangerous - equalised in the 34th minute.
The impressive Ashley Young tricked his way past Silvestre on the right and drove the ball low across the face of goal where Francis, whose run from midfield had gone untracked, tapped in his second goal in three matches since his summer move from Wigan Athletic.
Watford made a bright start to the second half but were quickly given a demonstration of the ruthlessness which is required to survive and prosper in the Barclays Premiership.
In the 51st minute, the Hornets should have taken the lead and paid the penalty when they fell behind 60 seconds later.
Only Dan Shittu and Francis will know why they failed to pounce after Darius Henderson had steered Marlon King's deflected free-kick back across the face of the United goal, with keeper Edwin van der Sar stranded.
The pair - perhaps believing they were off-side - simply stood and watched instead of intervening and they were quickly punished for their error by Giggs.
Collecting Spring's under-hit back pass, the Welshman evaded goalkeeper Lee with ease before steering the ball into the empty net with his right foot.
Watford won a number of free-kicks and throw-ins in dangerous areas, as well as corners, but they could not make them count as United held firm in defence.
The visitors almost netted a third with 18 minutes remaining, but Watford keeper Lee reached Ronaldo's through-ball a split second before Park.
While Watford pressed forward, United would always look dangerous on the break, and Lee denied Ronaldo once more with an assured save from the ex-Sporting Lisbon man's left-footed strike from 20 yards.
Saha should have made the game safe in the 88th minute after being supplied superbly by Giggs, but Lee - who had done his cause no harm - was quickly out of his goal to block the France international, while at the other end Shittu fired over in stoppage time.
Ryan Giggs' instinctive early header extended Manchester United's 100 per cent start to the season but the Red Devils were forced to survive some nervy moments before claiming their win over Tottenham Hotspur.
The evergreen Wales international reacted fastest when Paul Robinson failed to hold Cristiano Ronaldo’s brutal free-kick and his header ultimately proved the difference between the two sides, allowing United to return to the top of the table, leapfrogging Everton and Portsmouth, who had both taken their place earlier in the day.
Although it was hardly a clinical success, it was the kind of hard-fought three points on which title wins can be gained.
But Tottenham will head home feeling distinctly hard done by.
Martin Jol’s men dominated for long periods, with Jermaine Jenas particularly influential and outshining £18.6million United new boy Michael Carrick, who disappointed against his former club.
It was Spurs’ misfortune to run into a couple of brick walls in Wes Brown and Edwin van der Sar, who made a series of excellent saves to keep them at bay.
Crowned Barclays Premiership player of the month for the first time before kick-off, Giggs is arguably producing the most consistent performances of his entire career.
The 33-year-old is showing little signs of age and his adaptability is proving to be a major plus for Sir Alex Ferguson.
Already deployed in central midfield and on the left wing by Ferguson this season, Giggs found himself pushed up front alongside Louis Saha against a Spurs side whose barren run at Old Trafford stretches back to 1989.
Giggs was by some distance United’s most dangerous attacking threat, although he would have to agree his second goal in successive matches owed much to Ronaldo’s venomous free-kick.
When Edgar Davids felled Saha 40 yards out to bring a promising United break to a halt, it appeared to be a good free-kick to concede.
The theory reckoned without Ronaldo’s ability to launch thunderbolt long-range shots which dip and swerve in alarming fashion.
Often, these shots fly over the bar. Unfortunately for Robinson, this one did not.
He may be England’s number one but Robinson had no answer other than to parry the ball straight at Giggs, who stooped to make a firm connection with a header which bounced in off the underside of the bar.
At that point, with Giggs flying, Ronaldo looking dangerous and Carrick desperate to impress, it seemed only a matter of time before the Red Devils extended their advantage.
Instead, from the point Giggs briefly departed for treatment to a nose left bloodied by an accidental forearm from Didier Zokora, Tottenham slowly began to gain control.
While the home area was hardly under siege, there was enough action going on around it to worry Ferguson and United were indebted to the agility of Van der Sar either side of the break.
The one player in United’s side older than Giggs, the giant Dutchman made a superb double point-blank save to defy Michael Dawson and Ledley King, who was making a long-awaited return to action following a knee injury.
If that was not enough, as Tottenham continued to hold the initiative after half-time, Van der Sar backpedalled impressively to claw over when the looping rebound from a full-bloodied duel between Ronaldo and Pascal Chimbonda threatened to catch him out.
The introduction of Jermain Defoe for a clearly unhappy Robbie Keane offered the visitors another attacking dimension and it took the last of a trio of excellent blocks from Brown to deny the England man an equaliser.
Unlike central defensive partner Rio Ferdinand, Brown was impressive throughout, although even he could have done little if Mido had got anything more than the faintest touch to Reto Ziegler’s cross 12 minutes from time.
As it was, the Egyptian, making his second debut for the club he served with such distinction on loan last term, could not alter the flight of the ball and Van der Sar made a low save.
The home majority in another Barclays Premiership record 75,433-strong crowd would have had their nerves settled if Saha had not wasted two glorious chances near the end, particularly the second, when he latched onto Giggs’ long ball, shrugged off Benoit Assou-Ekotto but then stumbled, allowing Robinson to make the save.
In the end, it mattered little, although Ferguson will know his side must do better if they are to maintain winning form over the rest of a mouth-watering week which sees Celtic visit on Wednesday before struggling Arsenal head north looking for their first victory in eight days’ time.
Emmanuel Adebayor netted an 86th-minute winner to end Manchester United's 100 per cent Barclays Premiership record and give Arsenal a deserved win at Old Trafford.
Virtually from start to finish, Wenger’s men dominated and they would have been ahead much earlier had it not been for the heroics of debut keeper Tomasz Kuszczak, who included a first-half penalty stop from Gilberto Silva among a string of fine saves.
Of United’s much-vaunted attack, only Cristiano Ronaldo looked a threat, yet even he was exposed at the end as Cesc Fabregas robbed him near the home box before setting up Adebayor for his match-winning effort, although it took a brilliant late save from Jens Lehmann to deny Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a leveller.
It marked the end of an eventful performance from the Germany international who was never far from the action.
Booked early on for handling the ball outside his area, the Arsenal keeper made a far more positive contribution when he kept out Ronaldo’s fine shot on the turn.
Lehmann did even better to keep out a half volley from the United man just before the break although, in fairness, he could hardly claim too much credit since Ronaldo’s shot caught him flush in the face, virtually knocking him out.
But he saved by far the best until last, flying to his right to produce the fingertip stop which prevented United nicking a point.
Despite such hefty involvement, Lehmann could not claim to be the busiest keeper on show. That accolade clearly belonged to Kuszczak who, as debuts go, had a pretty good one.
Presented with his first opportunity since arriving on loan from West Bromwich Albion by the stomach bug which ruled out Edwin van der Sar, the Poland international was aghast to see referee Graham Poll point to the spot when Adebayor tumbled over his prone body after the Arsenal man had won the race to reach Alexander Hleb’s through-ball.
In hindsight, it was the best thing Kuszczak could have hoped for as he flung himself to the right to parry away Gilberto’s penalty.
Silva’s shot was poor though and the save, as any could be in such circumstances, pretty routine. The same however, could not be said for a William Gallas header shortly afterwards which was heading in until Kuszczak pushed it sideways onto a post where, fortuitously for United, Paul Scholes was around to bundle it away.
Even without notable absentees Thierry Henry, Robin van Persie and Philippe Senderos, Arsenal were a handful, belying Barclays Premiership form which left them in fear of dropping into the relegation zone at the start of play.
Although Adebayor had been deployed as a lone front man, Rio Ferdinand and Wes Brown found it almost impossible to shackle him while Tomas Rosicky revelled in the extra space.
It was the Czech who brought another smart first-half save from Kuszczak and while the 25-year-old did not find himself under quite so much pressure after the interval, it was still his goal which was most threatened.
Ronaldo, who with Louis Saha and Wayne Rooney both failing to make an impact, was carrying most of United’s attacking threat, hardly helped his side’s cause by under-hitting a pass to Brown which let Adebayor in again.
The African advanced towards the home goal with menace but Kuszczak was equal to his 20-yard shot.
A similar mistake from John O’Shea, who had been preferred to £18.6million Michael Carrick, presented Julio Baptista with a replica chance which shaved the post.
By that time, Carrick was on, as was Solskjaer, who profited from Rooney’s ineffective display.
The same, in a defensive sense, is also true of Ronaldo, whose attempt to tackle Fabregas after he had gifted possession to the teenager, only met with an unlucky touch which pushed the ball back into the Spaniard’s path.
Fabregas needed no second invitation to release Adebayor - and this time, he found the net.
READING v MANCHESTER UNITED, 1-1 Sat 23 Sep 2006 Cristiano Ronaldo's second-half drive denied Reading victory in an absorbing Barclays Premiership encounter at the Madejski Stadium.
The Manchester United winger's excellent 73rd-minute strike ensured the spoils were shared in the first ever league meeting between the sides, which the Red Devils had seemed set to lose despite dominating for long periods.
Newcomers Reading were on course for a third home win in a row after Kevin Doyle put them ahead from the penalty spot early in the second half following Gary Neville's handball, but they finally settled for the draw which ended United's 100 per cent away record.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson rang the changes following last week’s 1-0 defeat at home to Arsenal, bringing in Edwin van der Sar, Kieran Richardson, Michael Carrick, Nemanja Vidic and Gabriel Heinze, with the latter duo making their first appearances of the season.
Reading manager Steve Coppell, the former United winger, made 10 changes from the side that needed a penalty shoot-out to knock Darlington out of the Carling Cup in midweek.
United began with only Wayne Rooney as an out-and-out attacker with Louis Saha’s hamstring problem having seen him relegated to the bench. Paul Scholes operated as the link between midfield and attack.
The first chance fell to Rooney within three minutes and Marcus Hahnemann was unable to hold on to his low drive on the turn from 25 yards. Richardson raced towards the loose ball but Graeme Murty slid in to get there first and clear.
Reading replied with an effort from just outside the box from Leroy Lita that was only inches away from the top corner.
Ronaldo was next to have a go but this time Hahnemann was able to gather low down as the winger’s shot fizzed in from 25 yards.
His next attempt was way too high, however, as United dominated the early exchanges.
Ronaldo opted to pass a few minutes later and put Rooney into a shooting position on the right of the box. Hahnemann was able to save comfortably however as the shot lacked power.
Reading had been second best but there was a scare for United when Lita fired a ball across the box that Seol Ki-Hyeon was just unable to connect with.
A better chance soon followed in the 18th minute when Bobby Convey’s cross from the right was deflected off a defender to put Doyle in with only Van der Sar to beat - and found he couldn’t from only four yards out as offside appeals rightly went unheeded.
Seol was adjudged to have fouled Ronaldo on the edge of the Reading box on the left and again Hahnemann fumbled the resulting shot, with the rebound hacked away desperately.
Neither side made changes at the break and within three minutes of the restart Reading were ahead through Doyle’s penalty.
Neville was adjudged to have used an arm as a Murty cross from the right bounced in the box and the Irishman, who had missed against Darlington in midweek, squeezed the ball under Van der Sar’s hand after the Dutchman had guessed correctly.
There was a great chance for Richardson after Rooney cut the ball back to him from the left of the box but he missed his footing in the act of shooting and hardly connected at all.
The England midfielder was replaced by Saha in the 58th minute.
Scholes was denied an equaliser in the 68th minute when Ronaldo’s cross bounced off Ivar Ingimarsson into his path, only for the Iceland international to recover and block with his body.
United sent on John O’Shea and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the 70th minute with Heinze and Darren Fletcher making way - and two minutes later Ronaldo drew them level.
The Portugal winger picked up the ball on the left wing, cut infield and sent a superb low shot across goal into Hahnemann's bottom left-hand corner.
Coppell sent on Brynjar Gunnarsson in place of Lita as the Royals boss looked to preserve a point, but United scented victory and O'Shea saw a goalbound header blocked by Murty.
Stephen Hunt replaced Seol and soon after Ronaldo spurned a chance to win the game for the away side, sending his header straight at Hahnemann.
Midweek Carling Cup shoot-out hero Andre Bikey came on for the injured Murty with time running out as the Royals held on for another excellent result in their maiden top-flight campaign.
MANCHESTER UNITED v NEWCASTLE UNITED, 2-0 Sun 1 Oct 2006 Manchester United brushed Newcastle United aside at Old Trafford, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer netting twice as the Red Devils romped back to the Barclays Premiership summit.
The Norwegian tapped United in front just before the break, then sent Nemanja Vidic’s volley looping into the net to ensure the hosts scored a decisive victory against a Newcastle side who have not won at Old Trafford since 1972.
Aside from an injury to Gabriel Heinze, the only disappointment for the hosts was their failure to score more often, with Cristiano Ronaldo particularly unlucky, hitting the woodwork three times on his own.
The excellent Darren Fletcher was also denied by the post, and the agility of visitors’ keeper Steve Harper, who pulled off a string of fine saves to keep the margin of defeat within reasonable proportions.
As a contest, it was something of a disappointment, with Newcastle contributing little as an attacking force and an anticipated midfield duel between England past and future never materialising.
Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, making his first appearance at Old Trafford since leaving United two years ago, both have vast experience at international level to call on.
Indeed, Scholes’ talents are still so obvious, Steve McClaren called him again last week to see if there was any chance he might reverse his decision to retire from the England scene.
Given Scholes’ desire to spend as much time as possible with his family and away from the limelight, it could hardly have been a surprise to McClaren the answer was no.
So, with Owen Hargreaves’ broken leg ruling him out of next week’s encounter Macedonia, Michael Carrick and Scott Parker lined up against each other knowing an England cap might rest on the outcome of their personal duel.
In the event, both men were overshadowed, not just by Ronaldo, who continues to respond in the most positive manner imaginable to the jeers of opposition fans, but Fletcher as well.
The Scotland international has had some detractors over the past 12 months, but few could doubt his guts, determination and energy helped drive United forward in their search for an opener.
Until United finally made the breakthrough, Fletcher had gone closest to scoring, steaming up alongside Wayne Rooney and Ronaldo, who combined to set him up for a 20-yard shot which thudded against Harper’s right-hand post.
Although he could hardly claim to have been overworked, Harper was kept fairly busy and he needed to keep his nerve to hold a vicious Ronaldo free-kick which dipped right in front of him. He also brilliantly tipped over Vidic's powerful header from Ronaldo's corner.
Heinze was replaced in the 31st minute by Patrice Evra but just as it seemed the visitors would reach half-time on level terms, their defence was exposed by Ronaldo’s quick thinking.
The Portugal winger darted across to take a short corner and, after exchanging passes with Evra, embarked on an arcing run to the edge of the area.
Once there, he let fly with a shot which proved to be the first of three shots from Ronaldo alone which came crashing back off the frame of the visitors’ goal.
On this occasion, Solskjaer was on hand to tap home the rebound.
While the Norwegian could rightly claim his own poacher’s instinct was responsible for that effort, his second was purely a case of being in the right place at the wrong time as far as Newcastle were concerned.
Vidic is still waiting for his first United goal but the volley he unleashed from Rio Ferdinand’s knockdown two minutes after the restart might have opened his account. Instead, it struck Solskjaer, then looped into the corner.
Suddenly, the Red Devils were flying. Harper saved superbly from Fletcher, with Ronaldo blasting the rebound against the bar when he should have done better.
Ronaldo struck the post yet again when, not for the first time, his mesmerising skill outwitted Stephen Carr; then Fletcher had a plausible penalty claim turned down when Taylor appeared to turn the Scot’s shot away with an arm.
In the end, though, United’s outstanding midfield pair had to let Solskjaer take the goalscoring acclaim from a dominant performance which suggests Chelsea will face a meaningful challenge in their quest for a title hat-trick.
WIGAN ATHLETIC v MANCHESTER UNITED, 1-3 Sat 14 Oct 2006 Manchester United were forced to come from behind to see off Wigan Athletic in the lunchtime kick-off at the JJB Stadium.
Leighton Baines' spectacular striker had given the Latics an early lead but Nemanja Vidic's first United goal, Louis Saha's fine finish and then a late effort from man-of-the-match Ole Gunnar Solskjaer meant United consolidated their position at the top of the Barclays Premiership.
United were without Cristiano Ronaldo and Gary Neville after picking up ankle and calf injuries respectively on international duty, so Wes Brown lined up at right-back and Solskjaer on the right wing in a 4-5-1 formation that saw Wayne Rooney start on the left-hand side.
However, it was the home side who took the lead inside the first five minutes.
Patrice Evra was penalised for handball, Paul Scharner tapped the resulting free-kick to Kevin Kilbane and Leighton Baines followed up his spectacular strike for England Under-21's with a similarly ferocious drive from 30 yards that left keeper Edwin van der Sar no chance on its way into the top corner.
Denny Landzaat then hit another well-worked free-kick over the bar and Arjen de Zeeuw headed wide at the back post from Gary Teale's inviting cross as Wigan continued to press back their illustrious visitors.
However, United were beginning to get into their stride, and a neat turn and run from Solskjaer created half a chance for Rooney but Chris Kirkland got down well.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side were by now zipping the ball around with authority as they continued to probe a Wigan defence that was so far proving resolute but with 24 minutes gone, Rooney nearly conjured an equaliser out of nothing.
Questions have been asked about the young striker's form in recent weeks but he showed all of his usual poise in taking Evra's cross on his chest in the area, turning the Wigan defence inside out before seeing a powerful shot crash back off the bar with keeper Kirkland well beaten.
Rio Ferdinand picked up the first caution of the day after clattering Emile Heskey before Solskjaer was set free down the right and his low cross found Saha, but the France striker was crowded out at the near post.
Wigan then nearly hit United on the break after 38 minutes as Emmerson Boyce ran into acres of space down the right but his teasing cross eluded Heskey and was just too strong for Scharner to turn in at the far post.
John O'Shea found himself in the book for bringing down Baines in full-flight and Evra nearly emulated the Latics defender two minutes before the break when a well worked United move allowed the full-back to stride into space on the left and hit a dipping shot that Kirkland did well to parry.
Ferguson brought on Ryan Giggs for Brown at the break in a bid to inject more pace and drive into United's attack and Solskjaer fashioned a good opening seconds after the restart, jinking past a couple of defenders in the Wigan area but then smashed his shot high over the bar.
There was then an almighty scramble in the Latics box but Saha could not apply the finishing touch before he spurned a golden opportunity to draw United level.
Rooney hit a sublime ball with the outside of his right boot from the left wing which Saha killed instantly on the edge of the area.
With Wigan defenders closing in, the striker produced a cute trick to create a yard of space but then dragged his shot wide of Kirkland's right-hand post.
However, United finally capitalised on their dominance on the hour mark as Nemanja Vidic rose highest to meet Giggs' inswinging corner and powered a header past Kirkland from six yards out for his first United goal.
Five minutes later they were in front. Rooney was the provider as his clipped ball into the box was brilliantly brought down by an airborne Saha before drilling a shot past Kirkland and in off the far post.
Wigan were finding it hard going as United looked to close the game out and substitute Lee McCulloch's shot on the turn was easily held by Van der Sar.
Michael Carrick played in Rooney on the right hand side of the area but the striker's attempted chip ballooned over the bar before Kirkland denied Saha with his legs after Giggs had won the ball and played him in.
Rooney broke free in the box but his cutback was just behind the onrushing Solskjaer as United threatened a late third, which eventually came from the Norwegian in injury time as he latched onto Rooney's flick, held off Baines and drove a low shot into the bottom corner.
Rio Ferdinand struck a spectacular goal to upstage Paul Scholes on his 500th appearance for Manchester United in a 2-0 victory over Liverpool.
Scholes marked the occasion in perfect style with the opener after good work by Ryan Giggs late in the first half.
But the famously private midfielder will be only too happy to let Ferdinand take the headlines after he smashed home a stunning second to settle the match.
United asserted their dominance more and more as a lively game went on, after Liverpool had started the brighter.
The visitors pushed forward straight from the kick-off, but Mark Gonzalez's cross was disappointing. Riise then tried his luck from his own half, but the ball sailed over the bar.
Luis Garcia and Steven Gerrard then closed in on Edwin van der Sar, but the former was penalised for a trip on Ferdinand, replays suggesting the decision may have been harsh.
Wayne Rooney - also reaching a significant landmark, his 100th game for United - produced a delightful ball to pick out Gary Neville in United's first attack, but the full-back's cross was cleared under pressure by Sami Hyypia.
From a Michael Carrick corner shortly afterwards, the ball bounced off the chest of a static Nemanja Vidic to Louis Saha, whose shot was parried by Jose Reina.
Saha then cut inside Steve Finnan and unleashed a fierce curling shot which an uncertain-looking Reina could only parry, before gathering at the second attempt.
Dirk Kuyt was given a golden opportunity for Liverpool as he was picked out by Gonzalez's pin-point cross, but was only able to direct his header into the arms of compatriot Van der Sar.
Saha's header at the other end was tame under pressure from Jamie Carragher, and Reina was able to snatch the loose ball with Rooney bearing down on him.
Scholes then provided the fairy-tale moment with the opening goal seven minutes before half-time.
Giggs crossed through the legs of Finnan to the former England midfielder, unmarked six yards out in the centre of the goal.
His first effort was half-stopped by Reina, but Scholes reacted quicker than Hyypia to stab the loose ball home from virtually beneath the crossbar.
United almost doubled their lead just three minutes later when Saha let fly with another long-range effort, Reina diving full-length to superbly turn the ball around the post.
Xabi Alonso shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box after Gerrard's corner cannoned to him via the chest of Darren Fletcher as Liverpool went in at half-time a goal behind.
Saha shot wide from 20 yards shortly after the restart before Scholes - seeking to emulate the brace he struck against Port Vale 499 appearances previously - also fired wide from a similar range.
Rafael Benitez introduced Jermaine Pennant for Gonzalez after 51 minutes but Gerrard remained in his right-wing berth, with Pennant lining up in an unfamiliar role on the left.
The attendance was announced as a new Premier League record of 75,828, and they were given something more to shout about as Ferdinand doubled the advantage with a fine strike.
Giggs' corner was cleared back to him and he delivered a second cross with his right foot, which Saha attempted to bring under control only for Jamie Carragher to hack the ball away from him.
Ferdinand, though, brought the loose ball down neatly with his right foot before lashing it home with his left for his first goal since an injury-time winner in the corresponding fixture last season.
Benitez responded by introducing a second striker in the shape of Peter Crouch, with Alonso the man to be sacrificed.
Giggs set off on a mesmerising run to try and kill the game off with 20 minutes remaining, but team-mate Rooney ended up in his way and the chance slipped away.
Gerrard shot wide from distance before Crouch picked up a booking for a challenge on Van der Sar after the keeper unusually mis-controlled a back-pass.
Gerrard headed over the bar at the far post from a Pennant free-kick before he and Luis Garcia were both off target with efforts from distance as the Reds' challenge petered out.
Wayne Rooney ended his 10-match goal drought with a sensational hat-trick which propelled Manchester United back to the Barclays Premiership summit.
Having marked his United debut with a three-timer against Fenerbahce two years ago, Rooney has waited quite a while to wander off with another match ball.
In fact, given his recent difficulties finding the net, the £27million hit-man would probably have been grateful for anything at the Reebok Stadium.
As it was, just 24 hours after Sir Alex Ferguson predicted an imminent return to form, Rooney rasped home a magnificent treble as United ousted Chelsea from top spot with a scintillating display, consigning Bolton to their biggest home defeat since the Red Devils’ similarly enjoyable visit to the Reebok Stadium in 2002.
Rooney had not scored since his double against Fulham on the opening day, which was the last time United put together such a breathtaking display of attacking intent.
With Cristiano Ronaldo fully recovered from the virus that kept him out of last week’s win over Liverpool, Ferguson was able to name a full-strength side, a luxury Kevin Nolan’s suspension meant Sam Allardyce was not able to enjoy.
Neither could the Bolton boss have been too enamoured with what took place in the opening 20 minutes.
Having constructed one of the most effective units in the Barclays Premiership around a firm defence and disciplined marking, Allardyce must have been aghast at the blur of red shirts which sped around the field unchallenged.
Maybe, when he gets home and has a chance to review the onslaught in a more relaxed setting, even Allardyce will be able to appreciate how wondrous United were during that opening spell.
The only relief for Bolton came from the knowledge they had only conceded twice because, in truth, it could have been double that number and possibly even more still.
With Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs darting back and forward off their wings as though they were tied to a piece of elastic, Louis Saha dropping deep and turning quickly, Patrice Evra and Gary Neville providing the overlaps and both Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick picking out team-mates with ease from their central midfield station, it was little wonder Bolton found it difficult to cope. Throw in Rooney on top form and the task was nigh on impossible.
Much has been made of Rooney’s goalless streak. But even as recently as Friday, Ferguson was claiming it would not be long before the England star broke his barren run. It took him precisely 10 minutes.
Rooney had already come agonisingly close to turning home Giggs’ low cross when he was picked out brilliantly by Carrick, who lofted a first-time pass over the Bolton defence.
If there was any anxiety lurking deep within the young striker, who only blew out the candles on his 21st birthday cake on Tuesday, he did not show them, letting the ball bounce twice before letting fly with a first-time, left-footed volley which gave Jussi Jaaskelainen no chance.
The Finn was equally helpless with Rooney’s second five minutes later, which was true eye-of-the-needle stuff.
Tal Ben Haim provided the accidental assist when he slid in to rob Neville. Unfortunately for the Israel defender, he merely toed the ball to Rooney, who found the only gap available to curl a shot wide of the nearest defender but inside Jaaskelainen’s left-hand post.
Rarely in Allardyce’s seven-year tenure at Bolton can he have seen his team so outplayed on home soil.
It was hardly a surprise some of the fire went out of United’s play after such an explosive start, yet Saha and Giggs, twice, nearly increased their lead, Jaaskelainen denying the Welshman on the latter occasion after Abdoulaye Faye set him up for a volley when he was attempting to cut out a cross.
The second period was a much more even affair. In fact, Bolton had the edge and if Edwin van der Sar had not superbly turned away Ivan Campo’s instinctive strike 15 minutes from time, the Trotters might have launched a miracle comeback bid.
As it was, with Nemanja Vidic superb, United’s defence stood firm and the fight seemed to have ebbed out of the Trotters long before Saha presented Ronaldo with a tap-in.
Bolton were playing for the final whistle by the end. But none was forthcoming as Darren Fletcher seized on Abdoulaye Meite’s mistake and set up Rooney for his glorious third.
MANCHESTER UNITED v PORTSMOUTH, 3-0 Sat 4 Nov 2006 Sir Alex Ferguson got the 20th anniversary present he was looking for at Old Trafford as Manchester United ripped Portsmouth to shreds and opened up a three-point lead over Chelsea at the Barclays Premiership summit.
Despite his vast achievements during two trophy-ladened decades at United, Ferguson prefers to look forward rather than back and has his sights trained on lifting a ninth league title next May.
Although the durability of his squad may still be questioned, there are no quibbles about the quality of their play at the moment and, after shattering Bolton Wanderers last week, United laid waste to another early-season high-flier.
Two goals up after 10 minutes courtesy of a Louis Saha penalty and Cristiano Ronaldo’s blistering free-kick, the Red Devils pounded the Pompey area throughout and only the heroics of goalkeeper David James kept the score down.
Even James could do little about Nemanja Vidic’s second United goal as the Serbian rose to meet Gary Neville’s cross and power home his side’s third midway through the second half.
Ferguson was afforded a spontaneous standing ovation by the home fans towards the end but there was no big fanfare for him before the game, just his usual sprightly walk down the touchline.
But if the United board, and presumably Ferguson himself, had decided to keep the afternoon low-key, it quickly became apparent the Scot’s players had something special planned.
Having described last week’s thunderous opening at Bolton as the best performance from his team in three or four years, Ferguson could hardly have expected a repeat performance so quickly.
The hosts were aided in their quest by the absence of Sol Campbell from the Portsmouth starting line-up, the former England defender sent home from the team hotel on Friday night after picking up a stomach bug.
Campbell has been one of the mainstays of Portsmouth’s impressive start to the season and his experience was badly missed as the visitors found their defence threatened almost constantly from the very first minute.
There was certainly some sleeping going on in the Pompey rearguard when Neville took a quick throw, releasing Wayne Rooney who had burst into the box totally unmarked.
Dejan Stefanovic’s desperate attempts to recover his ground only resulted in him clipping Rooney from behind with sufficient force to warrant a penalty award from referee Mike Dean.
It was United’s first spot-kick of the season and Saha wasted little time in belting home his seventh goal of an impressive campaign.
Saha was also heavily involved in the Red Devils' second in the sense he was the man clattered by Campbell’s replacement Andy O’Brien to provide Ronaldo with his free-kick opportunity.
The Portugal winger is making a habit of causing panic with such chances and James had no chance of keeping out the fizzing shot which flew over the wall and dipped into the bottom corner.
Just as Jussi Jaaskelainen’s was Bolton’s hero seven days ago, so Portsmouth were equally heavily reliant on their keeper.
As a former Liverpool and Manchester City man, James is hardly likely to receive a warm reception from the Old Trafford faithful.
Yet there must have been some grudging admiration for the former England man as he pulled off a string of fine saves to keep the hosts at bay.
Old international team-mates Neville and Rio Ferdinand were among those denied, as was Rooney when the youngster burst into the box.
On that occasion, James pushed the ball straight into the path of Paul Scholes, whose instant shot was headed off the line by O’Brien.
James’ heroics continued after the break too, with Vidic and Neville denied before a third United goal finally arrived.
By then, though, Portsmouth remarkably could have been level. Matthew Taylor forced an excellent reaction save out of Edwin van der Sar just before the interval, then Nico Kranjcar thrashed wildly at the ball with the goal at his mercy on the hour mark.
Had Pompey restored parity, it would have been something of an injustice and any lingering hopes of a comeback were extinguished when Vidic rose to power home Neville’s cross.
It could, and probably should, have been more. Saha was once more denied by James before the Frenchman lashed a late shot into the side-netting.
Louis Saha's second-half strike set up Manchester United for a vital victory to keep them ahead of Chelsea in the title race.
The France forward struck in the 64th minute at Ewood Park to secure United’s sixth successive Barclays Premiership victory.
It was United’s first win in the league at Blackburn Rovers’ ground since 1998.
Wayne Rooney endured a frustrating game, missing two gilt-edged chances and being booked for dissent, but United will take huge satisfaction from this result.
It means they stay three points ahead of the champions - a handy buffer to have when Jose Mourinho’s men come to Old Trafford in a fortnight.
United were unchanged from their last league outing, while Rovers suffered from several key injury absentees - Robbie Savage, Ryan Nelsen and Steven Reid were all badly missed.
United set the tempo from the start and in the second minute Cristiano Ronaldo drove a direct free-kick into the wall after David Bentley had perhaps been lucky to escape a booking when his foul prevented Saha breaking away.
The conditions of driving rain and gale-force winds should have been more to Blackburn’s liking than United’s but both teams found themselves wrong-footed by the results of the early downpour.
First, Brad Friedel slipped after Lucas Neill’s backpass held up on the pitch and his clearance skidded to the feet of Ronaldo, but when the Portugal winger cut inside to fire towards the empty net he too fell victim to the treacherous turf and ended up on his backside.
Blackburn did manage to force United back with two half-decent efforts, as Shabani Nonda’s 25-yard strike was sent spinning just over the bar by a deflection off Nemanja Vidic and Andre Ooijer headed the resulting corner wide from a good position.
Rooney tried to impose himself on the game - with mixed results. The England striker was looking his usual self when he beat Brett Emerton and fired in from a narrow angle only for Friedel to save with his feet.
Nonda tried the spectacular with an overhead kick but could not find the target, then Saha sent a low drive skimming into the advertising hoarding nearest Friedel’s goal after Rovers were sloppy in possession in midfield.
Then came the part of the match Rooney would rather forget, beginning with when he missed a simple chance from Ronaldo’s devastating cross.
The winger sent the ball across the six-yard box at pace but although Rooney connected with it at the far post it somehow got stuck under his feet and a relieved Blackburn were able to clear.
Rooney was then guilty of an even worse miss after Friedel had brilliantly saved Saha’s low strike. The ball bounced free and Rooney, with the goal at his mercy, sliced it wide.
To make matters worse for the striker, he was then booked for dissent after referee Mike Riley had cautioned Vidic for a foul.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was forced into making a change at the break and John O’Shea came on in place of the injured Gary Neville.
Ronaldo was immediately in the thick of action again with a left-footed shot from 20 yards that missed the target.
Patrice Evra was next in the book after a rash challenge felled Bentley. From the free-kick, Morten Gamst Pedersen sent in an inswinger and Zurab Khizanishvili was agonisingly close to opening the scoring with a flicked header.
Pedersen’s inswingers are his trademark and his corner caught out Edwin van der Sar with the United goalkeeper relieved to see the ball cannon back off the crossbar.
Rooney was thwarted again but this time after some brilliance by the 21-year-old. He turned Ooijer inside out before unleashing a ferocious shot that Friedel somehow saved one-handed.
There was only brief respite for Blackburn, though, because in the 64th minute they fell behind.
Rooney held the ball up despite intense pressure and fed O’Shea, who delivered a penetrating cross to the far post. Ryan Giggs managed, at full stretch, to divert the ball across goal for Saha to hook past Friedel from an almost prone position.
Saha sent a left-footed effort curling wide from 25 yards; then Van der Sar rescued United by punching away Bentley’s cross a moment before Benni McCarthy arrived.
With three minutes left, Blackburn were given a free-kick after Van der Sar handled outside his area.
Via Pedersen and Tugay, the ball dropped to McCarthy, who rifled a shot towards goal only for the United keeper to save at the second attempt and secure a valuable victory.
SHEFFIELD UNITED v MANCHESTER UNITED, 1-2 Sat 18 Nov 2006 Two-goal Wayne Rooney sparked a come-from-behind victory to keep Manchester United on top of the Barclays Premiership.
Former United winger Keith Gillespie had stunned the visitors by scoring his first goal for the Blades on his 44th appearance.
But United, and Rooney especially, were not to be denied as the striker made it three goals in four days after finding the net in England’s 1-1 draw in Holland in midweek.
On this occasion, Rooney was allowed two opportunities, and he finished both with cool aplomb to take his tally to seven for United, and eight overall for the season.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side should perhaps have finished with more than Rooney’s double to show for their dominance, but it was one of those wayward days in front of the net.
United could have taken the lead in the 10th minute after Colin Kazim-Richards, the goalscoring hero of last week’s 2-2 draw with Bolton Wanderers, made a hash of intercepting Cristiano Ronaldo’s ball wide to the right.
Poor control allowed skipper Gary Neville to steal in, charge into the area and drive in a right-foot shot that was saved by the legs of Paddy Kenny.
It proved a let-off and three minutes later the Blades made their illustrious visitors pay by taking the lead, with Rio Ferdinand’s mistake the root cause.
Under pressure from Kazim-Richards, Ferdinand hacked the ball down the touchline, only for rookie midfielder Nicky Law - on his full debut - to intercept.
A cushioned header to Kazim-Richards, followed by a return pass, afforded the 18-year-old time and space to deliver a raking cross from the left wing.
It gave former United winger Keith Gillespie, surprisingly unmarked at the far post, a moment to savour as he headed the opener from an awkward angle across Edwin van der Sar from eight yards.
The majority of a season-high crowd of 32,584 were still pinching themselves when the visitors came close to an instant riposte.
But Kenny, declared fit to start despite sporting a large plaster over his left eyebrow which was bitten earlier this week, made another superb save.
This time the Republic of Ireland international was at full stretch in tipping away a flick header from Wayne Rooney as the England international had risen to meet a right-wing ball from Ronaldo.
In the 26th minute, Ferguson’s side were denied the first of two penalty shouts in the opening 45 minutes.
Rooney’s clipped through-ball for Louis Saha led to the Frenchman receiving an apparent barge in his back from Rob Kozluk, but referee Mark Clattenburg waved away appeals and booked Ryan Giggs for his protests.
At that stage, though, the Red Devils were in full control and their reward arrived on the half-hour with Rooney scoring his sixth United goal of the season.
Neville’s low curled ball into the heart of the area from the right was picked up by Rooney, who had dissected covering defenders Claude Davis and captain Phil Jagielka.
After an initial controlling touch with his left foot, Rooney then fired the equaliser past Kenny with his right from six yards.
Just before the interval, Clattenburg turned away another Red Devils penalty shout after Paul Scholes was challenged from behind by Alan Quinn.
Most of the action in a quieter second half was confined to the closing 15 minutes, and after the Blades’ spirit had been broken by Rooney’s second.
Patrice Evra’s left-wing cross just evaded the head of Davis, and lurking behind was Rooney to volley home from eight yards.
Ronaldo then hit the bar, Scholes saw his rebound cleared off the line by Jagielka, while Saha saw a 20-yard drive superbly saved by Kenny.
That was all before one of those glaring misses you know will be replayed time and again - on this occasion Ronaldo spooning the ball over an empty net from four yards after being teed up by Giggs.
MANCHESTER UNITED v CHELSEA, 1-1 Sun 26 Nov 2006 Louis Saha scored a brilliant goal but had an unwanted hand in the other as Manchester United and Chelsea shared the spoils in their top-of-the-table clash.
The Red Devils striker delightfully curled his side into the lead shortly before the half-hour mark, but his deflection proved crucial as Ricardo Carvalho's header earned the reigning two-times Barclays Premiership champions a point at Old Trafford.
United were first to threaten after Michael Ballack's foul on Cristiano Ronaldo, but Ryan Giggs' free-kick was headed comfortably wide by Wayne Rooney.
Giggs was also instrumental in United's next attack as he turned Geremi inside-out before delivering a teasing near-post cross which was bravely headed clear by John Terry.
Ronaldo took the opportunity to threaten Carlo Cudicini's goal from another long-range free-kick, but his fizzing effort was turned over the bar by the Italian keeper.
Terry blocked Rooney's effort before Claude Makelele became the first name in referee Howard Webb's notebook for a handball.
Saha broke the deadlock with a moment of brilliance shortly before the half-hour mark.
Seizing upon Rooney's pass, the France striker bided his time before curling a delicious left-footed finish around Carvalho and into the narrowest of gaps inside Cudicini's right-hand post, the ball shaving the woodwork on its way in.
Saha broke into the box moments later but wasted the chance as his attempted square ball to Rooney was intercepted by Carvalho when the shot seemed a better option.
Drogba was booked for an aerial clash with Nemanja Vidic before Edwin van der Sar was forced to dive and parry away Geremi's thumping long-range effort.
Giggs then brilliantly beat the over-committed Carvalho but failed to pick out Saha or Ronaldo.
The Portugal winger started the second half with a sprint in behind the Blues defence, but Ashley Cole showed electric pace to recover and block his cross for a corner.
From Michael Carrick's neat reverse pass immediately afterwards, Rooney stayed on his feet under Drogba's robust challenge in the box but his cross was miscontrolled by Saha, the loose ball narrowly evading a lunging Ronaldo.
Andriy Shevchenko then shot wildly over after a scramble on the edge of the box before Carrick brought down Frank Lampard to earn a yellow card.
Gabriel Heinze's cross looked certain to yield a second United goal but Ronaldo failed to control the ball on his chest and Terry's sprawling lunge was enough to distract Saha following up.
Shevchenko then curled a fine effort wide from the edge of the box before Drogba's header flashed off target from Ballack's cross.
Ronaldo's cross-shot forced a sharp save from Cudicini and Van der Sar was similarly tested by Lampard's effort from range, the England midfielder then firing over from Drogba's lay-off.
Carrick was having a tidy game and showed good application to prevent Arjen Robben's twisting run ending in any more than a corner, from which Ronaldo led a breakneck counter-attack before his run was ended by more impressive defensive work from Cole.
Chelsea drew level with 20 minutes remaining when Carvalho's bullet header from Lampard's corner got a slight touch from Saha on the line, which steered it against underside of bar and beyond Van der Sar's despairing dive.
Scholes' long-range drive was deflected wide by the body of the prone Saha before Joe Cole replaced the ineffective Shevchenko.
Drogba then broke into the box but was muscled off the ball by Heinze before Ashley Cole made another telling interception to prevent Ronaldo getting a cross or shot away.
Referee Howard Webb, who controlled the big occasion impressively throughout, then booked the England full-back for a foul on Ronaldo, who immediately signalled for a substitute.
Darren Fletcher was the man called for as John O'Shea also replaced Saha, who appeared to be feeling a hamstring niggle.
Makelele's ambitious effort flashed wide as the 75,948 crowd watched the game close out into a draw.
MANCHESTER UNITED v EVERTON, 3-0 Wed 29 Nov 2006 Much-changed Manchester United took another step forward in their bid to land the Barclays Premiership title with a comprehensive victory over Everton.
Cristiano Ronaldo put the Red Devils in front before the break, before Patrice Evra, with his first for the club, and John O’Shea netted to maintain a three-point lead over Chelsea.
The result will have delighted Sir Alex Ferguson as United won a game in which they have failed to taste victory in the past two seasons.
With the Neville brothers lining up as opposing captains, Wayne Rooney playing against his old club and Ferguson’s numerous changes, there were plenty of sub-plots.
United struggled to impose themselves on the contest in the opening stages before Ronaldo identified himself as a man the Toffeemen needed to stick to, skimming one long range effort wide before uncharacteristically ballooning a free-kick so high it almost ended up in the second tier of the East Stand.
Rooney was not quite the same threat, although he was just off target with one header before Ronaldo finally broke the deadlock.
In keeping with the contest, it was a single moment of excellence rather than any sustained brilliance which brought the Portugal international his fifth goal of the season.
Having set up Michael Carrick in the first place, Ronaldo was then on hand when the midfielder’s shot cannoned back off Nuno Valente, lashing a first-time effort into the corner of Richard Wright’s goal.
Given his first start of the season because of the Premier League rules that prevented on-loan Tim Howard appearing against his own club, Wright enjoyed better luck when he kept out a Rooney shot that was heading towards the bottom corner just before half-time.
By then though, Everton should have been level but James Beattie inexplicably failed to control when completely free inside the United box.
Having been somewhat subdued by his own high standards during the opening period, Rooney was at the centre of everything at the start of the second.
His first touch let him down when Carrick lofted a superb pass beyond the Everton defence, then he skied a volley over from Gary Neville’s cross.
Evra was booked for bringing down Mikel Arteta but the France defender atoned for his misjudgement after 62 minutes when he sprang the Everton offside trap, raced onto Rooney’s lay-off and drilled his first Red Devils goal through Wright’s legs.
The goal killed Everton off long before O’Shea’s audacious flick brought United their third.
But the sight of Rio Ferdinand limping towards the tunnel after the final whistle, coupled with the knowledge Wes Brown and Evra had finished the game in midfield, will be of concern to the United boss.
Darren Fletcher's 68th-minute header earned Manchester United three points against Middlesbrough to extend their lead at the top of the Barclays Premiership.
United took the lead when referee Chris Foy awarded the visitors a 19th-minute penalty after Cristiano Ronaldo had gone down under keeper Mark Schwarzer’s challenge, although replays suggested the frustration of the home fans was justified.
Frenchman Louis Saha exorcised the ghost of his Champions League miss against Celtic by sliding home the spot-kick, although his effort was not the game’s decisive intervention.
United went close to extending their lead on several occasions, but they were pegged back on 66 minutes when substitute James Morrison dragged the Teessiders right back into it.
However, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men needed less than two minutes to restore their advantage, Fletcher heading home the winner to cement his side’s lofty status in front of a crowd of 31,238 as the master got the better of novice Gareth Southgate.
In truth, had United not won, they would have had only themselves to blame, although the Boro boss will have been pleased with the attitude of his players after he was forced into a half-time reshuffle by Jonathan Woodgate’s premature departure.
Writing in his programme notes, Boro chief executive Keith Lamb said: “Gareth Southgate’s stated ambition for the club is that he wants success and he wants to achieve it by playing attractive, attacking football - but not at any cost.”
That sentiment was reflected in Southgate’s selection as he added winger Stewart Downing, back from a groin injury, and combative midfielder Lee Cattermole to the mix - one to help create openings, the other to break up play in the middle of the field.
However, neither proved to be the central figure in an opening 45 minutes packed with incident.
That United deserved to leave the pitch at the break ahead after a series of high-octane attacks was not in any doubt, having already gone close twice - Saha saw a downward header blocked on the line by Robert Huth, and Ryan Giggs failed to find an empty net after Schwarzer had parried Ronaldo’s blistering strike before they created their 19th-minute opener.
United’s approach play was little short of breathtaking, Saha turning deliciously just inside the Boro half to race past Woodgate and slide a precision pass into the path of the unmarked Ronaldo.
The Portugal international took the ball in his stride and cut inside Schwarzer, before falling under the goalkeeper's challenge.
Saha, taking a penalty for the first time since his costly European miss at Parkhead, stroked the spot-kick past the Australian to make it 1-0.
The Teessiders might have been level within two minutes, Abel Xavier hitting a post with a header from Downing’s free-kick in his first home game since his drugs ban expired.
But Wayne Rooney, who had a quiet evening, steered a shot just wide at full stretch 11 minutes before the break and Schwarzer had to tip a rasping 40th-minute Ronaldo free-kick over as United threatened to kill the game off.
Woodgate’s non-appearance after the break saw Southgate abandon his 3-5-2 formation for a more orthodox 4-4-2 with Morrison coming on to line up on the right side of midfield.
The new shape gave the home side a more enterprising look, although central defender Huth wasted a promising position when he drilled an ambitious 51st-minute free-kick straight into the wall.
Schwarzer had to turn a dipping left-footed shot from Ronaldo around the post two minutes later, but Edwin van der Sar was called upon for the first time in the game seconds later to pluck a Morrison cross out of the air just ahead of Aiyegbeni Yakubu.
But Boro were looking increasingly vulnerable and Giggs shot high and wide from a tight angle after Paul Scholes and Rooney had staged a scintillating break-out before Huth had to dispossess the England striker in front of goal.
They were made to pay with 66 minutes gone when Downing cleverly evaded Gary Neville’s challenge to cross and Gabriel Heinze’s weak header fell to Morrison, who thumped a volley past Van der Sar to level.
But the home side’s joy was short-lived and ended within two minutes as Giggs picked out Fletcher’s run into the box after Ronaldo had left the Boro defence standing and the Scot headed powerfully home.
Downing curled an 85th-minute free-kick past the angle of post and bar and Huth saw a late effort hacked away by Neville, but the points were safe.
Manchester City's 32-year wait for an Old Trafford win goes on but Manchester United moved another step closer in their quest to end a three-year title drought with another derby-day triumph.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s late goal ensured the Red Devils marched nine points clear of Chelsea at the Barclays Premiership summit, although Sir Alex Ferguson might not have been too happy at the way his side failed to cruise home after Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha had put them two in front at the break.
For 12 minutes after Hatem Trabelsi’s magnificent effort had breathed fresh life into a contest which saw City battle hard without ever looking likely to win, United were a bundle of nerves.
But Ronaldo calmed them down by turning home Rooney’s cross six minutes from the end before Bernardo Corradi was sent off at the death for diving.
Having already established a six-point lead over Chelsea, who face Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, there was much more than just local pride at stake for Ferguson’s men.
City made their intentions known from the start as Joey Barton clattered into Ronaldo in the opening seconds.
Ben Thatcher was booked for blocking off the Portugal winger a little later on, but by that time, Ronaldo had already played a major role in giving United the flying start they craved.
Sometimes the youngster is criticised for his failure to spot an early pass. No such allegation could be made against him on this occasion, though, as he seized possession by the right touchline and instantly spotted Rooney unmarked inside the City box.
The cross was accurate but Sylvain Distin should really have cut it out.
Instead, the ball rolled underneath the Frenchman’s outstretched leg, straight to Rooney, who gleefully drilled home his eighth goal of the campaign.
He might have had a second not long afterwards too as he strode onto Saha’s through-ball.
This time, Distin was fully alive to the danger and used all his pace to get back and deny the England man a shooting chance.
It was the kind of last-ditch defending City had to do on more than one occasion, yet, despite the speed of United’s attacking play, the visitors enjoyed just as much possession with Barton, turning out despite a recent family bereavement, impressing.
Twice they might have equalised thanks to the prodigious talent of Micah Richards.
Unfortunately for the Blues, on the first occasion, when the 18-year-old won two separate headers inside the United box, Richards was wide of the target. On the second, Richards might have found the net had Georgios Samaras not stopped the ball with his back to goal barely two yards out before turning and scooping his own shot over.
It proved to be a costly miss as United extended their lead before half-time when Blues skipper Richard Dunne was robbed of possession close to his own box.
Instantly, Gabriel Heinze swept the cross into the City box, allowing Saha to bundle home with the aid of a ricochet off Nicky Weaver and the underside of the bar.
Given City’s poor scoring record this term, it should have been game over. It certainly appeared so for most of the second half as United dominated.
The hosts had another goalkeeper as Andreas Isaksson, dogged by injury since his summer arrival from Rennes, was handed his debut as Weaver succumbed to a blow he picked up trying to keep out Saha’s goal.
Isaksson got plenty of chance to show City boss Stuart Pearce what he has been missing, three times denying Rooney alone, the latter effort a superb point-blank stop after Ryan Giggs - on his historic 688th appearance - had picked him out with a far-post cross.
The value of Isaksson’s efforts became apparent when Trabelsi, shown inside by an unsuspecting United defence, let rip with a thunderous 20-yard shot Edwin van der Sar had little chance of keeping out.
All of a sudden, even though Richards was forced out of the battle with a serious-looking injury, there was an obvious state of nervousness in the United team, not helped by the fact that six minutes before City had scored, Ferguson had replaced Saha with John O’Shea, leaving Rooney and Ronaldo as their only attacking outlet.
The Red Devils lived on the edge until redemption arrived when Rooney turned onto Gary Neville’s pass, drove over a cross that flicked off Dunne, straight into the path of Ronaldo, who finished off from close range.
City's disappointment was completed in stoppage time when Corradi, who had earlier been booked for leading with his elbow in a challenge on Nemanja Vidic, was shown a second yellow card for diving in the box.
Nigel Reo-Coker answered Alan Curbishley's call to do his talking on the pitch by grabbing the winner in the West Ham United manager's first game in charge.
Skipper Reo-Coker, who has suffered a slump in form this season, crashed in the only goal at Upton Park against Barclays Premiership leaders Manchester United.
United’s lead at the summit was cut to two points following Chelsea’s win earlier in the day, and they were denied by a polished performance from goalkeeper Robert Green.
Green kept the hosts in the game with a stunning save to deny Cristiano Ronaldo in the second half, and Reo-Coker’s near-post finish meant a triumphant start to Curbishley’s reign.
Curbishley, who grew up in nearby Canning Town, had promised to select his starting XI on what he had seen in training since his appointment on Wednesday.
As a result Carlos Tevez, the Argentina striker who is yet to break his Hammers duck, was on the bench and there was no place for his compatriot Javier Mascherano in the squad.
Curbishley also stated he had not spoken to Reo-Coker about his role at the club, but the skipper weighed in with the goal that gives his side renewed hope as they battle against relegation.
Curbishley had not beaten United during his 15 years as Charlton Athletic boss, and the early signs were that the visitors were not in the mood to hand him a victory to complement the rapturous welcome he received before kick-off.
With Chelsea defeating Everton at Goodison Park earlier in the day, United knew they needed a win to keep the pressure on the champions.
Ryan Giggs had a shot blocked in the opening 30 seconds and Wayne Rooney volleyed over early on when Michael Carrick, the former Hammers midfielder, fed him the ball on the edge of the area, but the hosts weathered the early storm.
Half-chances went begging for United and the hosts almost snatched an early lead when Matthew Etherington was found in front of goal by Lee Bowyer with a cross from the right, but the winger could not direct his header.
Marlon Harewood also fizzed a volley over the crossbar in the 17th minute as the hosts built a little bit momentum.
However, Hammers goalkeeper Green was forced to parry Louis Saha’s low effort from the edge of the area after the France striker went on a run from the halfway line.
Green stopped Saha twice towards the end of the first half but none of the chances were as clear as the opportunity Bobby Zamora spurned just after the half-hour mark.
Former Red Devil Jonathan Spector’s long ball looped over Rio Ferdinand, Zamora held off the defender but Edwin van der Sar managed to claw his effort away.
United, who had full-back Gabriel Heinze booked in the first half, then went on the counter-attack but Green was equal to their effort on goal.
Ronaldo earned a free-kick three minutes into the second half and Green recovered after fumbling the 40-yard set-piece from the Portugal winger.
Ronaldo then came even closer. He was denied by a stunning save from Green in the 56th minute after he cut in from the left following a slack pass from Harewood which allowed Rooney to start an attack.
Paul Konchesky drilled an effort wide at the other end just before Zamora was replaced by Teddy Sheringham, a Champions League winner with United, in the 59th minute. Referee Phil Dowd then turned down two penalty appeals against Anton Ferdinand, the first for handball from Saha’s cross and the second for a challenge on Nemanja Vidic.
Yossi Benayoun was brought on for the final 20 minutes, replacing Hayden Mullins.
Reo-Coker netted his winner with 15 minutes remaining, finishing at the near post after Harewood had held the ball up on the byline and squeezed his cross in.
Two-goal Cristiano Ronaldo's virtuoso performance and a superb strike from Paul Scholes helped put Manchester United's Barclays Premiership title challenge back on track against Aston Villa.
United showed they were suffering no hangover from their shock defeat at West Ham United to ensure they will go into Christmas as leaders from Chelsea.
Ronaldo capped a magnificent display by scoring the opener in the 59th minute and, after Scholes volleyed home from 25 yards five minutes later, he wrapped up the points in the closing stages.
If United could have picked out a fixture in which to bounce back from their Upton Park reversal then it would have been Villa, who have failed to beat them in the league for more than 11 years.
The Red Devils took the first half to warm up against a combative Villa side but in the second half they produced some superb football.
Ronaldo tormented the home side and one had sympathy for recalled full-back Aaron Hughes who was turned inside out.
Villa have now gone seven games without a win and for all their endeavours, it is evident they require an injection of quality in the January transfer window.
Before the kick-off, former Villa manager Ron Saunders, who guided the team to the League Championship in the early 1980s, was given a standing ovation on his first return to the ground for more than 20 years.
Villa made a lively start and were combative in the centre of the park through Craig Gardner, making his first start of the season, and Gavin McCann who passed a late fitness test on his hamstring injury.
United gradually started to come into the game and Villa centre-back Gary Cahill blocked a left-footed drive from Park Ji-Sung and a long-range attempt from Ronaldo.
But after 15 minutes the woodwork came to United’s rescue when a free-kick from Barry was flicked on by Chris Sutton to Gardner, whose header clipped the outside of a post.
United centre-back Nemanja Vidic became the first player to be yellow-carded a minute later for hauling down the lively Gabriel Agbonlahor in full flight.
Park, in his first league start since August, looked lively in the early stages but would have been disappointed with the accuracy of his finish from United’s first clear-cut opening.
Gary Neville had time and space to the right of the Villa box to pick out the run of Park but he failed to make proper contact with his shot which curled wide of the far post.
On-loan Villa keeper Gabor Kiraly clung onto a low angled drive from Evra and then held onto Ronaldo’s header which flew straight at him from Giggs’ corner.
Darren Fletcher would have been disappointed not to have done better after racing onto a pass from Ronaldo and he stabbed the ball past the far post.
Giggs then led a break-out from defence by United before finding Ronaldo, who turned past Hughes only to send his shot across the face of goal.
United were not to be denied and after 59 minutes Ronaldo broke the deadlock. He picked the ball up in his own half and was allowed to advance almost unchallenged to the edge of the Villa box.
His first shot was blocked by Gary Cahill but the rebound fell straight into the path of Ronaldo who crashed a unstoppable drive inside Kiraly’s near post.
Ronaldo was now in irresistible form and more trickery set up a chance for Giggs whose goal-bound shot was blocked by Cahill.
But after 64 minutes a spectacular strike from Scholes looked to have wrapped up the points for United.
Giggs’ corner was headed out by McCann but Scholes took aim from 25 yards out and volleyed a superb drive past Kiraly via the underside of the bar.
Ferguson brought on Wayne Rooney for Park and he immediately set up a chance for Ronaldo, whose shot was parried by Kiraly.
The bookings started to mount up with McCann, Sutton and Scholes all yellow-carded in quick succession.
Ronaldo finished it off four minutes from time when he turned home Gary Neville’s low cross.
Cristiano Ronaldo answered Sir Alex Ferguson's title SOS to send Manchester United four points clear at the Barclays Premiership summit.
Goalless at half-time against unfancied Wigan Athletic, with Wayne Rooney struggling and five senior stars left out, the Red Devils looked set to be thwarted in their attempt to take maximum advantage of Chelsea’s failure to beat Reading.
But, for the second time in four days, Ronaldo came to the rescue, following up his two-goal salvo at Aston Villa by bagging another brace, the crucial opener coming with his first touch just 69 seconds after his arrival.
Ronaldo reached double figures for the season when he drilled home the rebound after outstanding Latics keeper Chris Kirkland had saved his 49th-minute penalty and, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer adding another before the hour mark, United were able to coast to a victory which boosts hopes of an end to their four-year championship drought.
The news which filtered through from Stamford Bridge immediately before the teams emerged from the tunnel came too late to influence Ferguson’s selection, with Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs rested altogether due to Paul Scholes and Nemanja Vidic's suspensions for United’s own encounter with Reading next Saturday.
In four victorious meetings with Wigan since the Latics' elevation to top flight status - including a Carling Cup final demolition last February - Ferguson’s side have amassed 13 goals to their opponents' two.
Yet it did not take long until an unspoken fear gripped Old Trafford that this could be one of 'those' days.
Only six minutes were on the clock when Wes Brown skipped past Emile Heskey, charged to the by-line, then drilled over a cross which invited a far-post finish from Rooney.
Amazingly, the England star fired straight at Kirkland, who then showed lightning reactions to claw the ball away before it bounced over the line.
It was the start of a magnificent first-half display from Kirkland, who was equal to everything United struck at him.
Park Ji-Sung - United’s most effective attacking performer during the opening period - Mikael Silvestre, Scholes and Solskjaer were all denied by Kirkland, although it was Rooney who had all the best chances.
Either side of one long-range effort which fizzed over came two gilt-edged chances, both of which were created by Darren Fletcher.
Inexplicably, Rooney failed to get a touch on the first when he would have been completely clear eight yards out. The England star at least managed to get hold of the second but, after poor initial control, he eventually turned and fired wide.
As the half-time whistle blew, more than a few worried noises rumbled round the stadium. The sight of Ronaldo warming up brought an almost audible sigh of relief and within 15 minutes of second-half action, United knew they would be seeing in the new year as England’s top dogs once more.
Ronaldo appears as important to the Red Devils just now as Didier Drogba is for Jose Mourinho’s chasers.
His aerial ability is often overlooked but the young wide man’s height alone marks him out as a powerful penalty-box presence and, when Scholes drilled over a right-wing corner a minute after the restart, Ronaldo’s first touch of the contest was a searing header which flew into the top corner.
Although Kirkland’s inspired personal performance continued when he saved Ronaldo’s spot-kick after Park had been caught late by Gary Teale in the box, his luck ran out as the rebound rolled back to the winger to convert his fourth goal in as many days.
Solskjaer clinically finished off another just before the hour mark, which effectively sealed the points, even though Rooney’s frustrations continued when he struck the bar late on.
Wigan’s belated hunt for a consolation was eventually rewarded when Leighton Baines smashed home an injury-time penalty but the Latics have still to grab a point against any of the so-called 'big four' of United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Cristiano Ronaldo provided Sir Alex Ferguson the 65th birthday present he wanted more than any other as Manchester United stretched their lead at the Barclays Premiership summit to six points.
For the third time in eight days over the festive period, Ronaldo struck twice, on this occasion ensuring the brave efforts of 10-man Reading counted for nothing.
It took the winger’s Barclays Premiership tally for the season to 12, enhancing still further his player of the year claims and the belief of those within the Red Devils camp that the 21-year-old is currently the best player on the planet.
But it is the Barclays Premiership trophy Ronaldo, his team-mates and his success-hungry manager crave most of all.
And, though they were forced to endure a nervy few minutes after Leroy Lita had dragged Reading back into the contest in stoppage time, the momentum is with United now and Chelsea will need to stand stronger than they have ever done under Jose Mourinho to stop them.
Not that Ronaldo is the only key man at United. Overshadowed by the winger’s blistering form, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s rejuvenation into a top-class, top flight performer has nevertheless been one of the stories of United’s season.
Even as recently as the Red Devils' summer tour to South Africa, Ferguson was expressing doubts over Solskjaer’s ability to make an impact at the highest level.
Now, the Scot has no such worries and 24 hours before kick-off confidently predicted the 33-year-old would reach 15 goals for the season.
Solskjaer now has eight, showing all those old predatory instincts to escape Ibrahima Sonko’s attentions, arriving at the near post with perfect timing to head into the bottom corner.
Up to that point, it appeared the Reading goal would enjoy a charmed life.
Keeper Marcus Hahnemann twice got away with fumbles close to his own line, making up for those handling errors by keeping out Ronaldo’s piledriver.
Amid the United attacks though, Reading were holding their own, proving their previous draw with the Red Devils this term, and their Boxing Day efforts against Chelsea were no fluke.
Lifelong Red Devils fan Glen Little should have done much better when Kevin Doyle found him with a cut-back and Lita had already wasted an excellent chance when Sonko capitalised on Van der Sar’s rare blunder to drag Reading level.
It was the Senegal defender’s first goal since March and represented swift redemption for his earlier mistake.
United’s response was almost immediate as Ronaldo hit the bar before the break then, following the half-time introduction of Ryan Giggs, Solskjaer brought a superb save out of Hahnemann with a glancing near-post header.
Wayne Rooney also went close with a curling shot after he had been sent through by Ronaldo, part of an attacking onslaught in which United noticeably increased the speed of their game, hitting a level which Reading just could not match.
The move which brought Ronaldo the latest addition to his glittering season was simply sensational.
One touches passes from Giggs and Rooney sent Solskjaer flying into the area past Sonko. The striker’s shot might have got the faintest of touches from Hahnemann as it bounced onto the post but the rebound fell straight to Ronaldo, who gleefully bundled it home.
By that stage, Reading were being pinned back deep in their own half and the visitors’ flagging hopes of rescuing something from the game were virtually ended when referee Mike Dean sent Sam Sodje off for his second bookable offence, pulling back Rooney, just five minutes after his introduction as a substitute.
Ronaldo was in no mood to ease off and was on hand to volley home from close range when Giggs picked him out with a far post cross.
The strike probably came as no surprise to Royals boss Steve Coppell, a legendary Red Devils winger himself, who identified England’s World Cup nemesis as United’s danger man.
Coppell could be rightly proud of his side’s efforts and saw Lita bag another for his Reading side, who contributed fully to an excellent advert for Barclays Premiership football.
Teenager David Edgar snatched a precious point for Newcastle United as Manchester United were denied a nine-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premiership.
The 19-year-old defender saw Paul Scholes deflect home his 77th-minute 30-yarder to deny Sir Alex Ferguson’s men a fourth successive league win.
James Milner had blasted the Magpies in front with a 33rd-minute piledriver, but a Scholes double either side of half-time gave the visitors the upper hand.
However, Glenn Roeder’s injury-hit side summoned up their last remaining resources as Edgar marked his home debut with his first senior goal for the club to spark a gritty rearguard action to the final whistle.
United nevertheless extended their advantage over Chelsea to seven points ahead of the Londoners’ trip to Aston Villa on Tuesday night, but it was the black and white shirts among a crowd of 52,302 who went home the happier after witnessing a display full of character and application.
The signs were ominous as the league leaders walked out at St James’ Park determined to pile the pressure on Chelsea.
As Roeder attempted to put patches over patches after losing former United midfielder and prospective emergency central defender Nicky Butt to an ankle problem, opposite number Ferguson wheeled out his big guns again.
Gary Neville, Nemanja Vidic, Ryan Giggs, Scholes and Louis Saha were among the seven men he drafted into his starting line-up, and there was a sense of trepidation among the home fans as the game kicked off.
However, while they had to defend for their lives with 19-year-olds Paul Huntington and Edgar and 20-year-old Steven Taylor joining midfielder Nolberto Solano in the most makeshift of back fours, they not only made a game of it, but at times threatened to take the initiative.
The in-form Cristiano Ronaldo and Giggs were a real handful throughout, while Wayne Rooney and Saha, until he was replaced by Park Ji-Sung on 36 minutes, kept the Magpies fully occupied.
But on the occasions that the men at the back were found wanting, United were met by a stubborn Shay Given, making his 400th appearance for the club.
The Irishman saw a ninth-minute Giggs shot fly across the face of goal, but had to make a fine block to deny Saha after the Welshman had played him in after 25 minutes.
Scott Parker, who was turning in a captain’s performance in central midfield, headed a Saha effort over his own bar seconds later, but he forced Edwin van der Sar into a good save from distance on the half-hour.
However, it was the Magpies who took the lead after 33 minutes when Milner produced a stunning finish.
Kieron Dyer picked him out on the left and the England Under-21 international cut inside before blasting an unstoppable right-foot shot past Van der Sar.
Given had to keep out a point-blank Rooney effort seven minutes before half-time after United had broken at breathtaking speed, but he was finally beaten on 40 minutes when Scholes, who has a hat-trick at St James’ to his name, ran on to Giggs’ lay-off and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner.
Antoine Sibierski should have restored the home side’s lead on the stroke of half-time when he headed a Solano cross straight at Van der Sar’s legs, but the visitors responded immediately as Ronaldo shot wastefully over and Park clipped a post in injury time.
United needed only 22 seconds of the second half to get their noses in front, and it was Scholes who did the damage once again, firing powerfully through Taylor’s legs and past the unsighted Given to make it 2-1.
Darren Fletcher saw a shot blocked by Huntington and headed over from a Giggs cross in quick succession as Newcastle struggled to repel wave after wave of attacks.
However, the home side gradually started to make an impression going forward, albeit without troubling the visitors.
Vidic saw a 70th-minute header blocked, but then survived penalty appeals seconds later after Parker went down under his challenge.
But Roeder’s men were back in it within three minutes when Edgar took aim from 30 yards and saw his shot, with the help of a significant deflection off Scholes, nestle inside Van der Sar’s left post.
United hammered away as the clock ran down, Rooney dragging a 78th-minute shot wide and Solano heading a Ronaldo effort off the line five minutes later.
But the best chance of the closing stages fell to South Korean Park a minute from time when he controlled Ronaldo’s cross at the far post, but lifted his shot over the bar.
Michael Carrick celebrated his first goal for Manchester United as Sir Alex Ferguson's side cemented their place at the top of the table.
The £18million buy from Tottenham Hotspur may have taken time to open his account but the midfielder is certainly not fazed by the big stage.
Old Trafford hosted a record crowd of 76,073 as United continued to put the squeeze on Chelsea.
However, Aston Villa helped them with some poor defending and have now failed to win in 12 games.
United winger Cristiano Ronaldo was presented with his Barclays Player of the Month award before kick-off and marked the occasion by taking his tally to 13 goals, with Park Ji-Sung also on target.
United ran the show from the off and Henrik Larsson almost made the breakthrough in the fourth minute after being set up by Gary Neville.
The on-loan striker peeled away from his marker to power in a header that was superbly tipped away by Thomas Sorensen.
United took the lead in the 11th minute after Gary Cahill’s miskick six yards out.
Park was first to react and found the corner with his effort for his first goal of the season.
United made in 2-0 two minutes later with Carrick finally showing his scoring prowess, taking a ball from Park in his stride and hitting a half-volley that went under Sorensen’s body.
There was a scare for United in the 26th minute when Gabriel Agbonlahor sprung the offside trap and homed in on goal, but Edwin van der Sar stood tall to make a good block and preserve United’s two-goal advantage.
United went 3-0 ahead in the 34th minute after Park won possession off Gavin McCann.
The South Korea midfielder found Carrick and his cross was headed home at the far post by Ronaldo.
Villa boss Martin O’Neill was left shaking his head in disbelief at a series of errors.
United were controlling the midfield and Paul Scholes released Carrick in the 43rd minute but he lofted his effort high over the bar.
A minute later Wayne Rooney should have extended their lead after good work by Ronaldo.
The England striker turned quickly on the edge of the area only to drag his effort wide of the post.
Villa reduced the deficit after 51 minutes when Agbonlahor scored from close range after a good run and cross from Milan Baros.
Rooney was putting in a hard shift with little reward and came close to finding the target after 63 minutes.
He carved out an opening for himself but Sorensen was equal to his effort from an acute angle.
United threw on an additional striker a minute later with Louis Saha replacing goalscorer Park.
The Frenchman, who has made a swift recovery from the groin injury he suffered at Newcastle United, was quickly into action and saw his goal-bound effort blocked on the line by Cahill as United stepped up the pressure.
Larsson came close to scoring in the 72nd minute when he got away from Liam Ridgewell on the edge of the area.
He rattled in a shot but Sorensen got down quickly to turn his effort away at the post.
A minute later Rooney was out of luck his curler from 20 yards coming back off the bar.
Larsson came off in the 79th minute and was replaced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who scored a late winner in the cup victory last weekend.
United failed to add to their first-half tally, but their victory keeps Chelsea at arm's length.
Arsenal came from behind to beat Barclays Premiership leaders Manchester United with two late goals at the Emirates Stadium.
Substitute Robin van Persie had cancelled out Wayne Rooney’s early second-half strike with just seven minutes left, before captain Thierry Henry powered in a stoppage-time header to seal a dramatic win for the Gunners and signal their intent to have a say in the destiny of the title and the race for automatic Champions League qualification.
Despite their defeat in north London, United remain six points clear of Chelsea in second place and 12 ahead of Arsenal.
But Sir Alex Ferguson will know that lead could have been more convincing had they remained composed following what was at times a scrappy game, which until the closing moments never seemed destined to stick in the memory.
It had been a positive start by United, playing in their blue change strip, with Ryan Giggs finding space 20 yards out for a curling shot, which flew just wide.
Arsenal - without suspended Brazilian Gilberto - struggled to break the visitors down in midfield but eventually started to see more of the ball.
Henry flashed in an angled shot from the left touchline which flew straight at United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.
Referee Steve Bennett - who earlier this season sent Gunners boss Arsene Wenger to the stands - soon had to diffuse another potential flashpoint when full-back Emmanuel Eboue and Rooney tussled on the touchline, with both players raising their arms.
Good work from Alexander Hleb and Cesc Fabregas then got Emmanuel Adebayor away down the right.
His cross was deflected past the on-rushing Mathieu Flamini and Tomas Rosicky flashed the loose ball over the crossbar from 18 yards.
As the half-hour mark passed, Fabregas’ goal-bound strike from 25 yards was headed behind by Nemanja Vidic.
Arsenal then created the best chance of the game so far.
Adebayor got away on the right again and his cross hung up perfectly for Henry at the far post.
However, the normally clinical Frenchman could only head the ball straight back at Van der Sar.
Henry had a strong claim for a penalty turned down when Gary Neville appeared to miss the ball and clip the striker as he ran across the United skipper just inside the area.
Giggs was flagged onside following a chip through by Paul Scholes, but he could not make the most of the opportunity as Jens Lehmann comfortably collected his cross-cum-shot from the left.
In the final minute of the first half, Henry tested Van der Sar with a low 25-yard strike after his initial free-kick had been blocked by the wall.
There was still time for Lehmann to make a superb fingertip save onto the bar to turn over Rooney’s brilliant half-volley, after the ball had dropped to him some 25 yards out.
The veteran Germany international then turned Henrik Larsson’s powerful header around the post from the resulting corner.
Arsenal started the second half in more determined fashion, but United continued to win the midfield battle and after 53 minutes they took the lead.
Cristiano Ronaldo fed Patrice Evra on the overlap down the left and the full-back dashed forward to drill the ball across the six-yard box.
Kolo Toure could only touch it on towards the far post, where Rooney was on hand to head in his first goal for eight matches.
Arsenal had little option but to raise their own tempo in order to avoid a first defeat at the Emirates Stadium.
However, once again the visitors were resolute in defending the final third.
With 24 minutes to go, Hleb was replaced by Van Persie.
His fellow Holland international Van der Sar needed treatment after being accidentally kicked by Vidic following a goal-mouth scramble.
United seemed content to sit back on their lead as the match entered the closing stages, but that proved a costly mistake.
With just seven minutes to go, Fabregas won the ball on the right, just outside the penalty area.
Rosicky took possession and drilled over a low cross into the six-yard box.
Henry flicked it on towards the back post where Van Persie arrived on cue to smash the ball up into the roof of the net for his 13th goal of the season - although it was later revealed the striker had broken a metatarsal in the process.
Just when it seemed the match was set to end all square, Henry was perfectly positioned to meet Eboue’s pinpoint cross with a bullet header which gave Van der Sar no chance.
Manchester United maintained their six-point lead at the Barclays Premiership summit with an Old Trafford victory stroll against rock-bottom Watford.
The Red Devils roused themselves after a lethargic start to eventually romp home, extending their goal difference advantage over Chelsea to 14 in the process.
After Cristiano Ronaldo had slammed the hosts in front with his 14th goal of the season and Lloyd Doyley had doubled their lead with an unfortunate own goal, Henrik Larsson and Wayne Rooney also found the target as United recorded their biggest win since a similar-sized success at Bolton Wanderers three months ago.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson had already made it clear he intends to fully utilise his squad over the crucial final third of the campaign, so it was no surprise Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Edwin van der Sar and Larsson were all omitted from the hosts’ starting line-up.
Kieran Richardson was one of the men given a rare opportunity but he did not make much of a case for more regular appearances in a lacklustre start which epitomised the general United effort.
In pulling 10 men behind the ball at every opportunity, Watford succeeded in denying their hosts space and their goal had barely been threatened when Jay DeMerit instinctively tugged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s shirt as the Norwegian attempted to reach Rooney’s lay-off.
Thankfully for United, eagle-eyed referee Mike Dean spotted the infringement and up stepped Ronaldo to slam the ball past Richard Lee.
The goal hardly served to send an extra sense of urgency through the home ranks and it was more through luck than judgement that they were not pegged back when Tomasz Kuszczak misread his angles as he attempted to turn Chris Powell’s cross over the bar and instead pushed it onto his own post.
It was probably the shock United needed as their attacking play suddenly became more incisive.
With Ronaldo and Rooney - both restored to Ferguson’s starting line-up - growing in influence, so the Red Devils started to carve out an increasing number of chances.
Nemanja Vidic was not far off with two headers from Michael Carrick corners and Richardson saw his shot flash onto the roof of Watford’s net.
The Red Devils maintained their focus after the break, too, with Rooney and Ronaldo both going close before Richardson curled over the cross which Doyley, with Ronaldo breathing down his neck, stuck out his head to nod into his own net.
To all intents and purposes, it was game over. But United, mindful of how close the title battle could turn out to be, went for the jugular.
Lee had already pulled off one stupendous save to prevent Adrian Mariappa scoring a second own goal before the Red Devils really cut loose.
Five minutes after his introduction for Solskjaer, Larsson laid off a pass to Rooney, then sped onto a clinical through-ball from the England man before rolling a shot into the corner.
United bagged another with their next attack, a product of an outrageous double act between Ronaldo and Rooney.
The Portugal man started it with a searing run across the visitors’ box, chipping the ball over Watford’s startled defence to Rooney, who promptly launched his shot high over Lee before watching it drop into the goal.
Ferguson could have attempted to inflict further damage on a Watford side whose two-game winning run was brought to an abrupt halt.
Instead, he offered Wes Brown the opportunity to replace Carrick in central midfield.
It was hardly surprising some of the fire went out of United’s play after that, although only the base of a post denied a Ronaldo shot which would have completed their biggest win of the campaign.
Manchester United restored their six-point lead at the top of the Barclays Premiership with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored the opener from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time after referee Mark Clattenburg ruled the Portugal winger had been brought down by Steed Malbranque inside the box.
Ronaldo turned in another dazzling display on the flanks and set up Paul Scholes for United’s third after Nemanja Vidic had doubled the lead.
Ryan Giggs ran through to add to Spurs’ embarrassment late on and John O’Shea finished in goal as Edwin van der Sar broke his nose and United had used all their substitutes.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side had lost in the capital to Arsenal and West Ham United this season but held their nerve after Chelsea’s victory on Saturday, and their glut of goals either side of the break underlined their potential to seal a first title since 2003.
As for Spurs, they remain as far from the Champions League places as they are from the relegation zone. Despite a penalty claim of their own, they were swept aside and did not look like recording their first win over United since 2001, when Willem Korsten scored twice.
In a frantic opening, Scholes mis-timed a challenge on Aaron Lennon and Didier Zokora tripped Gary Neville, but it was Vidic who picked up the first booking when he went through the back of Jermain Defoe after nine minutes.
The first real chance of the game fell to Ronaldo but the Portugal winger blazed over after collecting the rebound when Michael Carrick’s header from a corner had been saved by Paul Robinson.
Predictably, Carrick was jeered by some home supporters on his return to White Hart Lane following his departure from the club in the summer for £18.6million. The midfielder had an early shot fly over and was typically effective protecting his back four, while Tom Huddlestone did the same for the hosts.
Huddlestone, billed as Carrick’s natural heir, set up Spurs’ first chance but Dimitar Berbatov, after taking a touch around Rio Ferdinand, saw his finish tipped around the post by Van der Sar.
United already had a penalty appeal turned down in the 29th minute when Anthony Gardner appeared to trip Henrik Larsson in the area, but Clattenburg waved away the Red Devils' protests.
But they were not denied a spot-kick on the stroke of half-time, with Ronaldo causing plenty of problems for the home defence and then slamming his penalty past Robinson.
Spurs had their own penalty shout when Pascal Chimbonda appeared to be held by Neville, marking a busy first half for the referee.
Wayne Rooney had been living on the edge and earned a yellow card for a challenge on Lee Young-Pyo after he had lost the ball, and Chimbonda was also booked before the break.
Robinson tipped over from Vidic and Carrick after the break but was beaten in the 48th minute when Vidic met Carrick’s corner with a thumping header.
The lead was extended in the 53rd minute when Ronaldo surged down the right and crossed for Scholes to bundle in.
Spurs thought they should have had another penalty on the hour mark when Berbatov was challenged by Ferdinand, but Clattenburg waved play on.
Van der Sar had to tip over from Berbatov but United extended their lead with 14 minutes left when substitute Louis Saha played Giggs through to finish.
Berbatov could have pulled one back when he got behind the United defence but Van der Sar saved his effort.
The Dutch goalkeeper was unable to finish the game after a clash with Robbie Keane, and O’Shea played the remaining five minutes in goal.
Wayne Rooney kept his nerve when it mattered to ease Manchester United to a unconvincing win over Charlton Athletic.
After all the swagger of recent performances, the Red Devils were forced to grind out a result against Alan Pardew’s brave battlers, who never let their heads drop even after Park Ji-Sung had nodded the hosts into a first-half lead.
Charlton came agonisingly close to breaching United’s defences on two separate occasions but eventually, Rooney eased Sir Alex Ferguson’s nerves, calmly chipping to the far post after Scott Carson had blocked his initial shot, setting up Darren Fletcher for the easiest of finishes.
Ferguson could not claim his side were at their best but it is on such triumphs that championship wins are built and their advantage over Chelsea remains at six points - and now there are only 11 games to go.
Ferguson was denied the services of Cristiano Ronaldo because of a heavy cold and, in the brilliant young winger's absence, his team-mates struggled, the opening period lacking any of the fluency that has characterised so many of their recent performances.
Certainly Charlton were not handicapped by any sense of inferiority. Pardew may have inherited an unenviable situation when he took over at The Valley but it is clear the Addicks will not surrender their proud Barclays Premiership status without a fight.
The visitors should have gone ahead too but, after Dennis Rommedahl had fired one decent opportunity into the side netting, Tomasz Kuszczak plunged to his left to turn away a goalbound Darren Ambrose header.
It was an excellent save and one which belied the fact Kuszczak has spent almost all season sitting on the bench as understudy to Edwin van der Sar.
Kuszczak was to deny Ambrose once more before the first half was through, although by then United had managed to get their noses in front.
Given his combative reputation, Ben Thatcher will be disappointed at the way Park simply shrugged him aside as he rose to meet Patrice Evra’s deflected cross.
Once he had won the aerial duel, Park simply steered his header into the net.
The only other moment of note during an otherwise unremarkable opening period was when Rooney acrobatically controlled Ryan Giggs’ long ball from almost head height, a manoeuvre that took both Thatcher and Souleymane Diawara out of the game.
Rooney needed just one more touch before letting fly with a fierce right-footed shot that skimmed the outside of a post with Carson totally beaten.
If Ferguson expected the half-time break to bring any more fluency to his team’s efforts he was mistaken.
United continued to labour and, with Alexandre Song outstanding in Charlton’s midfield, the visitors gained greater confidence and encouragement.
With a bit more calmness, Rommedahl might have done better than blaze over from 25 yards after finding himself in plenty of space in a central position.
Having left Henrik Larsson on the bench for the first time since his arrival from Helsingborg, Ferguson introduced the veteran Swede for Giggs just after the hour mark. Even that move failed to inspire an immediate improvement in fortunes.
In fact, it was Charlton who continued to look the more likely scorers and Marcus Bent was only millimetres away from getting a vital touch to Rommedahl’s inswinging free-kick which actually flew just wide off Gary Neville’s head.
The obvious problem for the visitors in those latter stages was the more they pressed, the more vulnerable they were on the counter-attack.
Rooney set up Louis Saha with a superb pass which ended disappointingly with a shot straight at Carson.
But the pattern had been established and, when Carson blocked Rooney’s shot with his legs shortly afterwards, the striker quickly seized on the loose ball and delivered a deft cross to the far post which Fletcher could not fail to head home.
Cristiano Ronaldo's superb 88th-minute goal sent Manchester United nine points clear at the top of the Barclays Premiership as they came from behind to claim a cruicial, but somewhat fortuitous, victory over Fulham in a thrilling clash at Craven Cottage.
With time running out, Ronaldo picked up the ball in his own half and accelerated away from the tiring Fulham defenders before driving the ball under Jan Lastuvka's body and into the far corner of the net via a small deflection off Philippe Christanval for his 16th Barclays Premiership goal of the season.
The strike sparked rapturous celebrations among the United players and bench who were all too aware of the importance of the three points they had just collected.
The fired-up Cottagers created a host of chances against the league leaders but had only Brian McBride's first-half opener to show for their efforts.
Edwin van der Sar, who was at fault for Fulham's goal, produced two impressive saves from Simon Davies in the second half while Tomasz Radzinski headed against the bar when he really should have hit the target.
Ryan Giggs levelled for the visitors with a clipped volley in the 29th minute but Sir Alex Ferguson's men were regularly exposed in defence and lacked their usual potency in attack until Ronaldo's late contribution.
Gary Neville was a surprise absentee as Ferguson brought in Wes Brown in for the United captain, who was not even on the bench.
As expected, Ronaldo and Giggs were fit, while Henrik Larsson retained his striking spot alongside Wayne Rooney.
The Cottagers made an impressive start and Alexey Smertin fired in the first shot on goal after three minutes after Radzinski and Michael Brown combined to set him up on the edge of the box but his powerful drive flew wide of Van der Sar's left-hand post.
Midfielder Davies was the next to try his luck but although his measured volley from the corner of the area had Van der Sar scrambling across his line it drifted wide.
United's first chance came in the 11th minute when Patrice Evra's raid down the left flank forced a corner which Nemanja Vidic headed powerfully over the bar.
But the Cottagers continued to dominate and took a deserved lead in the 17th minute after a defensive mix-up between Van der Sar and Vidic.
The Holland goalkeeper raced from his line in an attempt to clear Brown's clipped ball forward as Davies broke through under pressure from the Serbia international centre-back.
But the veteran number one completely missed his kick and the ball deflected to McBride who slotted home first-time via the inside of the post despite the best efforts of Rio Ferdinand on the line.
United continued to look shaky at the back and were unable to settle into their usual composed rhythm, but they fashioned an equaliser in the 29th minute with the help of Moritz Volz.
The German defender failed to deal with a long ball out of United's defence and lost possession, allowing Giggs to release Rooney down the left flank.
The England international delivered a telling cross to the far post which Giggs clipped back across Lastuvka and into the bottom corner of the net.
McBride headed Davies' deep cross just wide seconds later as United almost fell behind again before Rooney and Giggs combined again to provide a cross which Ronaldo - who had earlier fired another chance wide - was unable to get a touch on.
Then Evra, on another forward run, found himself with a shooting chance after Larsson's presence prevented Christanval from clearing but the left-back drilled his shot wide.
Ferdinand and Radzinski received yellow cards four minutes before the break after an altercation on the touchline, joining Cottagers midfielder Brown and United's Paul Scholes in referee Peter Walton's notebook.
Van der Sar redeemed himself for his first-half error three minutes into the second half with a stunning one-handed save to deny Davies after the midfielder's clever turn and powerful volley from 12 yards seemed destined for the back of the net.
And only the crossbar denied Fulham four minutes later when Radzinski escaped at the far post and headed Brown's deep cross from the right against the woodwork from close range with Van der Sar beaten.
Davies was denied by Van der Sar again in the 64th minute as the pair continued their personal duel, with the United keeper parrying the Wales international's powerful shot before recovering to pluck the midfielder's follow-up header out of the air under his bar.
Ferguson, who had already replaced Vidic with John O'Shea, then sent on former Fulham favourite Louis Saha and Mikael Silvestre in the 66th minute in place of Michael Carrick and Evra.
Chris Coleman responded by replacing Papa Bouba Diop, who had been booked earlier for a foul on Ronaldo, with Clint Dempsey and bringing on Collins John for Radzinski.
Goalscorer McBride left the field to rapturous applause in the 80th minute as Coleman used his final substitution to bring on Heidar Helguson.
But it was left to Ronaldo to have the final say and provide what could turn out to be one of the most pivotal strikes of the Barclays Premiership title race.
Manchester United took a giant step towards the Barclays Premiership title with a smash-and-grab victory at Liverpool.
Substitute John O'Shea's injury-time winner was enough to seal all three points for a Red Devils side down to 10 men after the dismissal of Paul Scholes five minutes from time.
The experienced midfielder was given his marching orders for swinging an arm at Xabi Alonso, but Republic of Ireland utility man O'Shea pounced from close range after Cristiano Ronaldo's free-kick had caused havoc in the six-yard box to settle the issue in United's favour.
Liverpool, though, had dominated much of the game, with Steven Gerrard the first player to cause problems with a probing long through-ball.
Nemanja Vidic prevented it reaching Craig Bellamy and then, under pressure from Dirk Kuyt, did well to clear the ball against the Holland forward and earn a goal-kick.
A testing Gerrard cross was well caught by Edwin van der Sar with Kuyt and Bellamy lurking, before a trademark fierce left-foot drive from around 30 yards by Dan Agger flashed over the bar.
Ronaldo sent a snap shot wide from United's first attack as he met Patrice Evra's cross at the culmination of a neat passing move down the left flank.
Van der Sar made the first save of the day to keep out Mark Gonzalez's header from Gerrard's cross before Steve Finnan made a timely interception at the other end to prevent Scholes' through-ball reaching Ryan Giggs, who was making his 700th appearance for United.
Kuyt's excellent work on the right flank went to waste when Bellamy's lay-off was too strong for Mohamed Sissoko, but the Dutchman drew the foul from Vidic which led to the hosts' next sight of goal.
Gonzalez touched the resulting 20-yard free-kick to John-Arne Riise, whose curling drive with the outside of his left foot was just inches wide of Van der Sar's right-hand post.
Bellamy beat Vidic with alarming ease and pulled a ball across the face of an open goal which narrowly eluded Kuyt in Liverpool's best chance of the half, and Van der Sar then comfortably dealt with Gonzalez's low left-foot drive.
A surging run into the box by Ronaldo was ended by Carragher's well-timed challenge, and Rooney then narrowly failed to latch onto Giggs' threaded pass.
Sissoko sliced a shot wildly wide as a goalless half drew to a close.
Liverpool started the second period in the same attacking style, though, and Gerrard sliced a shot wide before Bellamy squandered an even better chance.
Kuyt's through-ball played the Wales frontman in between the United centre-halves, but a poor first touch and a weak shot allowed Van der Sar to make a good diving save.
Bellamy had the ball in the net moments later but the effort was chalked off, with the striker standing in an offside position when Sissoko diverted Riise's mishit shot to his feet.
A much cleaner strike from the Norway full-back then whistled by the frame of Van der Sar's goal before United weathered the storm and Rooney was flagged offside before finishing with an outrageous back-heel.
The game settled into a scrappy spell, leading to a raft of substitutions as Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez replaced Gonzalez and Bellamy with Fabio Aurelio and Jermaine Pennant.
Opposite number Sir Alex Ferguson introduced Mikael Silvestre and Louis Saha for Evra and Henrik Larsson before Rooney, with blood pouring down his leg after an accidental clash with Carragher, limped off to be replaced by O'Shea.
There was a further scare as Saha went down awkwardly under Agger's challenge on the edge of the box, but a half-hearted penalty appeal was waved away.
Rio Ferdinand cleared well at the other end as Kuyt tried to reach Pennant's teasing cross, and the replacement winger's dangerous run into the box moments later forced the same defender to concede a corner.
Peter Crouch replaced Sissoko before Gary Neville was booked for bringing down the lively Pennant, and United were shortly down to 10 men.
Scholes tangled with Xabi Alonso and flicked out an arm at the Spain midfielder. Despite no contact being made, referee Martin Atkinson decided that the United man's intent warranted a straight red card.
Liverpool threatened to take advantage, with Van der Sar making a superb reaction save to deny Crouch from close range, but there was to be a sting in the tale as United popped up with their stoppage-time winner.
Finnan's foul on Giggs led to a free-kick on the left which Ronaldo fired across dangerously. Saha challenged for the ball with Reina and, as it spun loose in the six-yard box, there was O'Shea to finish calmly and earn his side the three precious points.
Manchester United signalled their intention not to let a mounting injury list derail their Treble drive as they smashed four past Bolton Wanderers for the second time this season.
Park Ji-Sung and Wayne Rooney both scored twice as Sir Alex Ferguson’s men surged to a victory which leaves them requiring a maximum 18 points from their last eight games to end a four-year title drought.
Not for the first time this season Cristiano Ronaldo was the star of the show as Bolton found themselves totally incapable of stopping the brilliant winger.
Yet the victory came at a price for the hosts, who were already missing six senior men through injury and suspension, as skipper Gary Neville was forced off with an ankle injury.
After half an hour of the onslaught it would have been difficult to know who was sitting most uncomfortably, Bolton manager Sam Allardyce or England boss Steve McClaren - who had taken the opportunity to survey the start of a crucial weekend for him in the Old Trafford directors’ box.
The game was only 10 minutes old when the England coach’s day took a serious downturn as Neville lay on the ground in agony after his left ankle crumpled under a challenge from Gary Speed.
Neville could put no weight on his leg as he was helped to the touchline and the word swiftly came out that he could not continue.
And the United skipper was later ruled out for three weeks when Ferguson confirmed he had suffered ankle ligament damage.
If there is any comfort for McClaren, it is that England are not facing Portugal next week because, with Ronaldo in this mood, they would be virtually unbeatable.
Having already suffered heavily at United’s hands once this season, Allardyce was keen to avoid a repeat.
Yet, after Bolton had received a major let-off when Park skied over from three yards, the visitors were well and truly flattened by a big red steamroller driven mercilessly by Ronaldo.
The opener came from an innocuous beginning as Rooney won a header with Tal Ben Haim close to halfway.
Ronaldo was on to the loose ball in a flash, darting not just to the by-line but down it, then picking out Park with a fine cut-back which invited the South Korea international’s precise finish.
A capacity crowd was still catching its breath when United scored one of those breakaway goals which have been such a hallmark of their success down the years.
Breaking out of their own area as they half-cleared Ivan Campo’s long throw, the Red Devils streamed forward.
In the end only Ronaldo and Rooney were required to make contributions as the pair exchanged passes twice in a run which took them 80 yards downfield before Rooney beat Jussi Jaaskelainen with an impudent chip to register the 50th goal of his United career.
For a while it seemed Bolton would be humiliated in a manner seldom seen since Allardyce took charge seven years ago.
It was almost as if the visitors were so fearful of Ronaldo they dare not go near him, offering the winger a huge amount of space to run into every time he got the ball.
Jaaskelainen was distracted enough by his presence to allow a relatively weak shot to slip from his grasp just before the half hour, the rebound rolling kindly for Park to tap home his second.
From that point on it was a damage limitation exercise for Bolton, with Ferguson feeling sufficiently comfortable about his side’s position to remove Ryan Giggs and - to a standing ovation - Ronaldo from the fray long before the end.
Only Jaaskelainen’s save prevented Ronaldo getting his own name on the scoresheet for the 18th time this season but the winger’s exit at least allowed Alan Smith to experience Barclays Premiership combat for the first time since he suffered those horrific injuries at Liverpool in February last year.
He was soon celebrating too after setting Rooney free with a lobbed pass which allowed the United forward to outpace Ben Haim before belting an unstoppable volley past Jaaskelainen.
The goal involved precisely five touches from the moment the ball left the United area to it entering the Bolton net.
It took Rooney’s tally for the season to 15, five of which have come against Allardyce’s team, who bagged a late consolation when Gary Speed slotted home from the spot after Nemanja Vidic had been ruled to have fouled Abdoulaye Faye.
MANCHESTER UNITED v BLACKBURN ROVERS, 4-1 Sat 31 Mar 2007
A moment of magic from Paul Scholes sparked a magnificent second-half revival from Manchester United which allowed them to move another stride closer to completing their Barclays Premiership title dream.
Trailing to Matt Derbyshire’s close-range effort and with Nemanja Vidic carried off with a dislocated shoulder, Sir Alex Ferguson looked like suffering a sickening loss against favourite son Mark Hughes.
But not for the first time in his managerial career, Ferguson was able to toast Scholes’ quick feet and impish skills.
In a week where England’s limitations have been laid bare, the player whose services are denied to Steve McClaren because he refuses to come out of international retirement showed exactly what is being missed.
Delivered possession just after the hour mark by Christopher Samba’s attempt to rob Wayne Rooney, Scholes could have just taken aim and fired.
Instead, he skipped sideways, beating Ryan Nelsen, then Stephen Warnock suddenly to find himself clean through.
Unlike Rooney, whose unhappy fortnight continued with another blank, Scholes left no room for doubt, drilling an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner that brought United back on level terms and eventually three more precious points.
Scholes’ midfield partner, and man-of-the-match award rival, Michael Carrick, fired a crucial strike into the same corner to put United ahead before Park Ji-Sung and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer finished the job off late on.
The result leaves United requiring a minimum 15 points from their last seven games to clinch a first Premier League trophy in four years, with Ferguson hoping Rooney’s goal touch returns to help them.
It would be fair to assume this has not been the best fortnight of Rooney’s career.
Out-of-sorts, out of goals and booked twice for England, all Rooney’s problems were expected to disappear once he returned to the bosom of Ferguson’s family.
Instead, his troubles merely continued as Brad Friedel emerged a decisive victor in what turned into almost a personal duel, producing a string of saves to deny the 21-year-old, who could not even beat the American with two shots late in the first half after he had already been flagged offside.
The missed opportunities looked like being costly when United were hit by a double-whammy just before the half-hour.
Such a key figure in United’s return to prominence this term, Vidic was attempting to win a header in familiarly forceful fashion when he landed heavily on his shoulder.
The Serbian immediately signalled he was in trouble and was eventually carried down the tunnel on a stretcher with what was later confirmed as a dislocated shoulder.
United’s defence was still re-organising itself following the introduction of John O’Shea when Morten Gamst Pedersen drilled a low cross over from the left which Carrick stuck out a foot to deflect goalwards.
Edwin van der Sar did well to scoop it out but Derbyshire was on hand to finish off from close range seven days after the England Under-21 star found the net at the new Wembley.
United responded in typically defiant fashion and Blackburn were under siege long before Samba fatefully toed the ball into Scholes’ path.
Showing amazing awareness and balance, Scholes skipped past the despairing challenges of Nelsen and Warnock before raising the roof with a supreme finish.
From that moment on, it seemed just a matter of time before United got a second.
Ryan Giggs’ curling free-kick was deflected wide, Scholes smashed a shot at Pedersen and Friedel brilliantly saved from Cristiano Ronaldo as Rovers’ goal began to lead a charmed life.
But the best opportunity of all came when Ronaldo drove a superb low cross into the danger zone which invited a tap-in. Yet again, Rooney failed to make a connection. It appeared Giggs, who was right behind his team-mate would make amends. Unbelievably, the Welshman crashed his shot against the bar from barely six yards.
With so much going wrong, it would have been understandable if United had allowed their heads to drop.
But Ferguson’s team are made of much sterner stuff than that.
And when Ronaldo once more caused panic inside the Rovers box, his cut-back ran to Carrick, who had enough composure virtually to pass the ball into the same corner Scholes had launched his shot into earlier.
Even with victory within their grasp, United refused to relent and when Friedel failed to hold a stinging Ronaldo free-kick seven minutes from time, Park raced in to tap home.
There was still time for one more too as Park’s cross evaded Rooney but fell nicely for substitute Solskjaer, who finished off with ease.
The thrilling clash was decided as Pompey saw Matt Taylor’s overhit pass to Lomana LuaLua in the 88th minute turned past the Dutch goalkeeper by Ferdinand’s intervention.
The home side were already leading 1-0 at that stage through Taylor’s 30th-minute strike after Edwin van der Sar was unable to hold Benjani Mwaruwari's long-range effort.
John O’Shea’s late tap-in after Pompey keeper David James spilled a soft Ole Gunner Solskjaer shot gave United hope.
But the giant James regained hero status - after his mistake cost him a record 142nd Premier League clean sheet - by saving substitute Alan Smith’s shot right at the death.
It is the third time in four Premier League seasons that United have come a cropper at Fratton Park but they could not deny it was a fully deserved success for Harry Redknapp’s side.
On paper it looked a no contest with Pompey having won just one of their previous 11 league games and United arriving on the back of seven successive Barclays Premiership wins.
But Redknapp’s side had won two of their previous three encounters with the Red Devils at Fratton Park, although last season United collected a 3-1 success among a run of five successive wins against the south coast team.
United decided on a circumspect start against a Pompey team clearly up for the challenge.
Sean Davis twice fouled Paul Scholes in the first five minutes and the United midfielder was also caught late by Taylor.
Pompey’s early probes brought a half chance, with Kanu leaping to apply a twisting header to Taylor’s good ball into the box, but Van der Sar held on comfortably under the crossbar.
Djimi Traore, a late selection after Sol Campbell pulled out of the Portsmouth team despite taking part in the warm-up, briefly had to go off for treatment after a tackle by Darren Fletcher before Cristiano Ronaldo bounced a United free-kick from 30 yards tamely past a post.
The Portugal international was similarly off target a minute later after a mesmerising run from Wayne Rooney’s pass but it was a sign of United warming up.
On 16 minutes, Ronaldo darted between Linvoy Primus and Dejan Stefanovic but could not make contact with a dropping ball which ran clear towards Rooney 10 yards from goal.
Primus was quickly up and there first, stretching to toe the ball away before Rooney fell over his outstretched leg.
The England international inquired about a penalty but referee Mark Clattenburg saw that the Pompey defender had played the ball first.
Pompey went ahead on the half-hour when Kieran Richardson could not clear a ball that bounced up from Traore’s throw-in on the left and Benjani jumped in to drill an early drive that Van der Sar could only stand up and parry.
Taylor was quicker than Ferdinand to the rebound and tucked it neatly past the veteran goalkeeper.
Michael Carrick almost put United back on level terms immediately after Taylor’s strike, his low shot drifting just wide but then James - hunting his clean-sheet record - blocked Fletcher’s shot with his legs after Rooney played the midfielder through.
Primus, outstanding at the back for Pompey and defying his 33 years, even found time to go up for a corner and head Gary O’Neil’s delivery just over the bar.
And just before the start of first-half stoppage time Taylor turned the ball past Van der Sar again only to see it hacked clear.
Ferguson was concerned enough to send on Ryan Giggs for Richardson at the start of the second half, which meant 10 of the 11 who faced Roma last Wednesday in the Champions League, were on parade.
Solskjaer completed the full set when replacing Fletcher 15 minutes later and he seemed to inspire United to a purple patch that threatened to turn the game around.
James excelled, pushing away Ronaldo’s flick from a corner and Lauren backed him up to block Wes Brown’s follow-up.
It was all hands to the Pompey pump as Rooney set up Giggs to force James into another save and then the Wales international fired in a cracker to send James leaping for an immaculate tip-over.
When Rooney skated clear on 69 minutes, Primus timed his recovery tackle to perfection once again and the England striker’s protest to the referee cut no ice. Once more television evidence seemed to prove the defender’s timing was dead right to take the ball first.
Ronaldo scuffed a chance wide as United’s frustration grew but Pompey were still in it as an attacking force, Kanu’s long-ranger stinging Van der Sar’s palms before the keeper made an excellent save, diving to push away Davis’ goalbound shot.
Ferdinand inadvertently sealed it with his own-goal two minutes from the end.
James’ error handed O’Shea what was no more than a consolation thanks to the former England keeper’s late save from Smith.
MANCHESTER UNITED v SHEFFIELD UNITED, 2-0 Tue 17 Apr 2007 Patrice Evra was forced off in the first half following a tackle from behind by Colin Kazim-Richards, leaving Sir Alex Ferguson without a single member of his first-choice defence, including keeper Edwin van der Sar.
Yet nothing, it seems, will halt United’s drive for the championship.
After Michael Carrick’s early opener, Wayne Rooney drilled home a brilliant second at the start of the second half.
It takes Rooney’s goal tally for the season to 20, just one adrift of Cristiano Ronaldo - who had a quiet night by his own high standards.
The result left Chelsea six points adrift heading into their trip to West Ham United, but Ferguson’s most immediate priority will probably be a body count rather than worrying about Jose Mourinho and his team.
In the end, even with possible starters John O’Shea and Rio Ferdinand not included, Ferguson opted against handing 18-year-old Craig Cathcart his debut.
Instead, the United boss entrusted the right-back role to Darren Fletcher, hoping the Scot’s extra experience would make up for his lack of familiarity with the position.
With Wes Brown and Gabriel Heinze occupying the central defensive roles and Tomasz Kuszczak handed a rare start in goal due to Van der Sar’s injury, United were not so much down to the bare bones as the marrow. And the situation got worse after just 20 minutes with Evra's departure.
His replacement Kieran Richardson - like Fletcher, an out-of position midfielder - initially struggled as his desire to get forward led to gaps appearing at the back.
As in the FA Cup semi-final with Watford on Saturday when Ferdinand picked up his groin strain, the one saving grace for United was that by the time Evra departed, they were already in front courtesy of Carrick’s fourth goal in six games.
Hardly a renowned scorer when he arrived from Tottenham Hotspur, the £18.6million midfielder has suddenly hit form.
After Ronaldo had found him with an inspired short pass, Carrick lifted his shot over Kenny to give the hosts a perfect start.
Had Rooney not smashed a shot straight at Kenny on United’s next attack, the points would have been wrapped up there and then.
Instead, the hosts were forced to endure a few nervy moments, with Luton Shelton to the fore on his first Barclays Premiership start, before Rooney eventually bagged a second four minutes after the break.
Two Champions League goals and a couple against Watford had already indicated Rooney is not suffering the kind of form crisis some have suggested.
His latest finish, one touch to control Ryan Giggs’ chipped pass and a second to blast the ball into the corner, merely emphasised the point.
While the visitors were sprightly foes, they were repeatedly indebted to Kenny for keeping the score down.
For a big man, Kenny showed admirable agility to get down to his near post and deny Ronaldo, then needed all his strength to remain standing as Alan Smith slammed a shot into his chest.
Another save from Ryan Giggs followed, although by then the Blades had had a sustained penalty appeal waved away as Shelton went down under Heinze's challenge.
If the spot-kick award had come, Heinze would surely have been sent off too, bringing with it an automatic suspension.
Given the defensive crisis unfolding in front of his eyes, Ferguson’s men might have struggled to cope. As it was, they escaped on all counts.
MANCHESTER UNITED v MIDDLESBROUGH, 1-1 Sat 21 Apr 2007 Mark Viduka’s diving header in first-half stoppage time proved enough to earn Boro a point, which leaves Chelsea knowing five wins - including the key clash with United at Stamford Bridge on May 9 - will confirm a hat-trick of championships.
A bad evening for United was made even worse by the knowledge Rio Ferdinand is out of Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final with AC Milan after aggravating the groin injury he suffered against Watford last weekend.
With half a dozen key men missing Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad are being tested as never before. And on this evidence, they do not have the answers.
Boro were worthy of at least a point and, with a late penalty call going against them, could have gained greater reward for their efforts.
For a while in the second half it looked as though they might even win as United’s defence, decimated by injury, threatened to fall apart.
In the end, the hosts managed to assert themselves and claim a point which at least keeps their noses in front of Chelsea, who will close to within a point with victory at Newcastle United.
Very rarely in a stupendous season has Cristiano Ronaldo been as subdued as he was in the opening period.
The absence of Ryan Giggs, rested ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final with AC Milan, might have been a contributing factor.
That allowed the Boro defence to concentrate their attentions on him knowing the other winger, Kieran Richardson, is not blessed with quite the same stellar talent.
Yet, just as Richardson was on target in the FA Cup semi-final victory over Watford at Villa Park, so he was responsible for United’s early opener.
In a sense, Richardson was pinching his first Barclays Premiership goal of the season off Wayne Rooney given it was the former Everton striker who had charged onto Paul Scholes’ inspired lofted pass that caught Jonathan Woodgate on his heels.
However, as Rooney had taken the ball a touch wider than he would have liked as he swept past Mark Schwarzer, it was probably just as well Richardson was on hand to tap home.
With less than three minutes on the clock, it must have been the start Sir Alex Ferguson dreamed of.
But instead of giving way to a cruise and the chance to give a breather to some of their key men, United merely found themselves in a whole heap of trouble as Boro forced themselves into the game.
Although Edwin van der Sar had not actually been properly tested before Viduka struck, the visitors had enjoyed more than enough of the play to thoroughly merit their equaliser.
Ferdinand had already been clutching his groin in discomfort before his former Leeds team-mate got in front of him to meet Stewart Downing’s cross. Whether it made any difference is difficult to assess but it was quite telling Ferdinand did not appear for the second-half.
Neither did Richardson as Ferguson introduced Giggs, no doubt hoping the Wales international's experience would inspire United to greater efforts.
Boro, though, were in no mood to let their hosts off the hook and Viduka should really have put them in front when he wriggled past Wes Brown, who by now was being partnered by John O’Shea with Darren Fletcher again a makeshift right-back, but fired a close range effort straight at Van der Sar.
The Holland international flung himself in the way of Ayegbeni Yakubu’s angled effort shortly afterwards as United’s free-flowing style continued to unravel before Ferguson’s eyes.
An impudent piece of skill from substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who flicked the ball away from Schwarzer as he was about to punt clear then tapped into an empty net, only earned the veteran Norway striker a yellow card.
And though Rooney and Carrick went close near the end, a winner would not come.
United survived a late scare when O’Shea was not punished for a challenge on Dong Gook Lee in the penalty area.
EVERTON v MANCHESTER UNITED, 2-4 Sat 28 Apr 2007 Although the Toffeemen produced a performance club legend Alan Ball would have been proud of on the day football bid farewell to a World Cup hero, it was United who emerged triumphant.
As if to rub salt into the Chelsea wounds, Everton skipper and former Old Trafford stalwart Phil Neville was among the scorers, blasting his old club's equaliser into his own net after John O'Shea had capitalised on Iain Turner's blunder to give United hope.
But it was another 'old boy' who came up with the devastating blow - Wayne Rooney clinching victory with his 23rd goal of the season 12 minutes from time before substitute Chris Eagles finished Everton off in injury-time.
With Chelsea failing to beat Bolton Wanderers at Stamford Bridge, United now have a five-point lead with just three games remaining.
And, while they cannot win their ninth Premier League title at Manchester City next Saturday, victory for Sir Alex Ferguson's men would leave Chelsea needing to win at Arsenal 24 hours later to ensure their high-profile clash with United at Stamford Bridge on May 9 was not totally meaningless.
There was no sign of what was to come when Alan Stubbs rasped home a brutal 30-yard free-kick, via a deflection off the luckless Michael Carrick - to put Everton ahead early on and when Manuel Fernandes belted home a superb second after half-time, United were on the ropes.
But, as Mourinho now knows, Ferguson and his team are never more dangerous than when their backs are pressed up against the wall, which in itself, was a fitting tribute to Ball the battler.
The sustained and emotional pre-match tribute to Ball was led by the Everton legend's tearful son Jimmy.
Even without injured star striker Andrew Johnson and keeper Tim Howard, who was prevented from playing under the terms of the contract which saw him join from United on a permanent basis in January, the hosts were determined to lay on a performance fit for the occasion.
Joleon Lescott had already gone close with a header which flicked off the crossbar before Stubbs struck with a free-kick which Edwin van der Sar could not keep out after it had flicked off Michael Carrick.
After a quiet start, Rooney finally got involved, unleashing a snapshot which Turner did well to turn round his near post.
Recalled from his extended loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, Turner could not have expected to be so underemployed.
There was a bit more huff and puff from Ferguson's side after half-time before Fernandes doubled Everton's lead with a thunderous effort after he had collected Arteta's pass, then skipped to the side of Wes Brown.
Ferguson's response, introducing Kieran Richardson for Evra at left-back, hardly eased the anxiety growing among the visiting fans.
But hope came quickly, and so did Ronaldo, after Turner inexplicably dropped Giggs' corner at O'Shea's feet, allowing the Irishman to bundle home.
Rooney looked certain to level when he left Joseph Yobo on the edge of the area, then lifted a shot over Turner, only for his old mate Stubbs to get his body in the way.
But the finish line was a long way off for Everton, and the game was flowing totally towards their goal, culminating in Neville's unwanted equaliser.
In 11 hugely successful years at Old Trafford, Neville scored only five times in 263 league appearances - and none of them were as important as this one.
Again Turner was involved, although he could not do much more than get in the way of Ronaldo's firm header as he rose to meet Carrick's corner.
The ball bobbled around in the Everton six-yard box before Neville, standing virtually on the goal line, thrashed it into his own net in a desperate attempt to clear.
There was more to come for United and their story writers, as the winner - and potential title-clincher, curled in off Rooney's boot 11 minutes from time.
Rooney still had plenty of work to do when O'Shea's far-post cross landed at his feet. But, on a difficult day from a personal perspective, how much maturity he showed to step inside Tony Hibbert, then find the bottom corner with his low shot.
Eagles added another in stoppage time, after Rooney had supplied the sublime pass, and once news of Chelsea's slip was announced, the celebrations really began.
MANCHESTER CITY v MANCHESTER UNITED, 0-1 Sat 5 May 2007 The Professional Footballers' Association and Football Writers' Association Player of the Year was the centre of attention as early as the third minute when he was left needing treatment after a stamp from Michael Ball.
The City full-back escaped punishment as the incident occurred outside of referee Rob Styles' eyeline, but Ronaldo exacted a fitting punishment when he drew a foul from the same player to earn the penalty from which he scored the only goal.
Ball later won a spot-kick at the other end but Darius Vassell was denied by Edwin van der Sar as City drew yet another blank to pick up an unwanted record for the fewest home goals - 10 - in a Premier League season.
They were the first team to threaten, though, as Vassell's shot looped off Nemanja Vidic harmlessly into the arms of Van der Sar.
The giant Serbia defender then crashed a close-range header against the crossbar from Ryan Giggs' cross, but was adjudged to have climbed on Richard Dunne in any case.
Alan Smith's poor clearing header allowed Emile Mpenza his first sight of goal on the quarter-hour, but the Belgium striker lashed his effort straight at Van der Sar.
Rio Ferdinand's raking long pass almost played in Ronaldo shortly afterwards, but the Portugal winger's first touch let him down for once and Ball cleared at the expense of a corner.
Sylain Distin then had to show good strength to prevent Smith taking advantage of a similar Ferdinand pass. Ronaldo flicked on the resulting Giggs flag-kick to Ferdinand, whose header hit the bar with Andreas Isaksson helpless.
City were struggling to cope with United's lofted passes and Nedum Onuoha and Michael Johnson had to combine to shepherd another, delivered this time by Paul Scholes, away from Wayne Rooney.
On a rare City breakaway, DaMarcus Beasley tried his luck with a 25-yard snap-shot which flew straight at Van der Sar. Johnson's poor touch then failed to find Mpenza at the end of a flowing move.
Ronaldo struck from the spot - his 50th goal for United - after his dancing feet had won the opportunity, bamboozling Ball into bringing him down in the box.
Dunne threw himself in the path of Ronaldo as he readied himself for another shot before Rooney fired wildly over the bar.
Beasley's cross then caused alarm in the United defence as a ricochet off Johnson fell to Mpenza, but he delayed too long and Vidic recovered his ground to clear his cross-cum-shot.
Distin needlessly cleared a ball against Ronaldo when seemingly in control of the situation but recovered to bring the ball clear as the half drew to a close.
Scholes made thumping contact early in the second half after Ronaldo rolled a free-kick square to him, but Isaksson stood firm and gathered the driven shot.
Mpenza met substitute Sun Jihai's corner with a towering header but saw the ball flash high and wide.
Stuart Pearce threw on Trevor Sinclair and Paul Dickov as his side chased an equaliser, and they were handed a golden chance when Ball went tumbling under Wes Brown's challenge.
Van der Sar was booked for delaying the taking of the penalty but his tactics paid off as the pressure increased on Vassell, whose drilled effort down the centre of the goal cannoned to safety off the keeper's left knee.
That save extended City's record of not having scored at the City of Manchester Stadium since New Year's Day.
More significantly, though, it also saw the Red Devils take a significant step towards the title, sparking jubilant on-pitch celebrations at the final whistle from Sir Alex Ferguson and his men for the second week in succession.
CHELSEA v MANCHESTER UNITED, 0-0 Wed 9 May 2007 Chelsea provided United with the guard of honour they had promised, but only three regular first-team players started the game for Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
Jose Mourinho also took the opportunity to rest a host of his own first-teamers ahead of the FA Cup final between the two clubs on May 19.
Chelsea were the first to show any attacking desire when Shaun Wright-Phillips was put clean through on goal by John Obi Mikel.
The former Manchester City winger managed to get a shot away but Tomasz Kuszczak denied him an opening goal with a one-handed save.
Wright-Phillips surprised Kuszczak in the 15th minute when his cross almost dropped into the net at the far post with the United keeper struggling.
In the 20th minute Mikel’s challenge on Chris Eagles brought him a booking from referee Graham Poll and a further caution for Gabriel Heinze for dissent.
Chelsea captain John Terry and Kuszczak required treatment after colliding with each other as they challenged for a corner.
Terry recovered the quicker of the two while the United goalkeeper was allowed to continue after having a head wound dealt with.
United's first chance of the game arrived in the 36th minute when Terry’s poor header fell to the feet of the waiting Alan Smith but instead of having a shot himself, the United schemer's pass was deflected into the path of Heinze who fired wide from six yards.
When Paulo Ferreira's cross was fluffed by Kuszczak, the ball rolled into the path of the advancing Claude Makelele but the veteran midfielder - who is hardly renowned for his goalscoring - sliced his effort wide.
Terry had a fleeting chance to end the stalemate seconds before the end of the first half but his shot was deflected into the air and the Chelsea defender’s follow-up header was collected easily by Kuszczak.
Chelsea replaced Mikel with Joe Cole at half-time and the home side momentarily lifted the tempo.
United defenders Kieran Lee and Wes Brown were booked within minutes for poor challenges on Cole and then Scott Sinclair respectively.
Chelsea’s Lassana Diarra then found himself on the wrong side of referee Poll when he upended Chris Eagles.
The Chelsea player was shown the yellow card but United failed to punish them further when Kieran Richardson’s free-kick sailed by Carlo Cudicini’s right-hand upright.
United’s Dong Fangzhou then tried to beat Cudicini with a clever chip but the ball dropped harmlessly over the crossbar.
In the 53rd minute Sinclair was replaced by Israel international Ben Sahar before a fractious period of play.
First Michael Essien was booked for throwing the ball away and moments later United felt they should have had a penalty when the Ghana international challenged Eagles.
Eagles was then booked for his late challenge on Wright-Phillips which brought the tally of bookings to five inside 12 minutes since the start of the second half.
In the 64th minute Michael Carrick replaced Heinze for United but it was Chelsea who almost broke the deadlock four minutes later when Wright-Phillips tested Kuszczak with a stinging shot.
Chelsea almost won it two minutes from time but Sahar’s effort was cleared off the line by Kieran Lee.
MANCHESTER UNITED v WEST HAM UNITED, 0-1 Sun 13 May 2007Carlos Tevez again proved West Ham United's hero on a day of rollercoaster emotions to preserve his side's top-flight status.
The Argentina forward scored the only goal at Old Trafford as the Hammers climbed to 15th place at the end of a day which coiuld have seen them join Charlton Athletic and Watford in the Coca-Cola Championship.
The defeat did not cast a shadow over United’s title celebrations but it cast a deep pall of gloom over Bramall Lane as Sheffield United slid back into the second tier.
It is hard to imagine such contrasting emotions within the respective sets of supporters.
While United prepared to party, collecting three individual honours before kick-off, including Sir Alex Ferguson’s manager of the year award, and awaited presentation of the Barclays Premiership trophy after the final whistle, for West Ham’s travelling army it was a day of shredded nerves.
They attempted to remain positive, even as the knowledge of Wigan Athletic’s early strike against the Blades sank in, but as the game unfolded, their worst fears appeared to be coming true.
Despite indicating he would play his strongest team, Ferguson left Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes on the bench and consigned former Hammer Rio Ferdinand to the stand.
Yet, after a slow start, United began to dominate.
Wayne Rooney and Alan Smith gave their all to boost a United side who still hold the memories of title bids running aground at Upton Park in 1992 and 1995.
Rooney had already bobbled a couple of efforts wide when Michael Carrick swung a corner to the near post where Smith met it with an astute flick.
Just as the ball looked set to drop in, up popped Yossi Benayoun to nod it away. The Israel winger could hardly be viewed as a defensive bulwark but in such circumstances, unlikely heroes can be found and Benayoun remained solid and cleared again as Kieran Richardson blasted the rebound at him.
There was more anguish to endure for the Hammers as John O’Shea rose to power another Carrick corner goalwards, only for Robert Green to respond with a magnificent fingertip save.
West Ham’s spirited defiance duly received its reward when Tevez struck.
Unable to deal with Green’s long punt forward, United’s defence was split by an exchange of passes between Tevez and Bobby Zamora, the Argentine eventually squeezing the ball into the far corner beyond Edwin van der Sar.
Curbishley’s stomach must have churned 12 minutes after the restart when Ferguson sent Giggs, Ronaldo and Scholes on.
All three looked eager to make an impact as the Hammers bedded themselves in for a rearguard action.
The visitors efforts were aided by some less than accurate United passing around the penalty area and indeed, had Tevez or Luis Boa Morte been more accurate, the Hammers would have been spared a few worn fingernails.
Still, with Green in top form, Curbishley had cause for optimism and, with 15 minutes left, the former Norwich man stuck out a hand to stop Ronaldo’s powerful header before diving gratefully on the loose ball.
United had more opportunities, with Richardson and Scholes both going close.
But once John O’Shea had been denied a penalty after going down under Luis Boa Morte's challenge, the Hammers could join in the party.
