Imperious Man Utd move into lead

Feb 06, 2010

London, Feb. 6: Manchester United stormed to the top of the Premier League with a 5-0 demolition of struggling Portsmouth at Old Trafford on Saturday. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side moved one point clear of previous leaders Chelsea thanks to goals from Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov and three Portsmouth own goals.

Although United have seized pole position, Chelsea can regain first place with a win against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The floodgates opened in the 40th minute when Darren Fletcher crossed into the six yard box and Rooney pounced to direct a header past David James.Rooney’s 23rd goal in all competitions equalled his best total for a single season and United put the result beyond doubt five minutes later when Vanden Borre deflected Nani’s cross past James.Another own goal increased United’s lead in the 59th minute as Richard Hughes turned Michael Carrick’s shot into his own net. Berbatov added a fourth in the 62nd minute and Pompey defender Marc Wilson scored his side’s third own goal seven minutes later.Dirk Kuyt boosted 10-man Liverpool’s bid to land a Champions League place as his header clinched a crucial 1-0 victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby at Anfield. Rafa Benitez’s side had Greek defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos sent off in the first half for a two-footed lunge on Marouane Fellaini, but Kuyt nodded in the winner from Steven Gerrard’s corner in the 55th minute to lift the hosts above Tottenham into fourth place. At the other end of the table, Hull climbed out of the bottom three with a 2-1 win against Manchester City at the KC Stadium, while Bolton shared a goalless draw with Fulham at the Reebok Stadium. — AFP

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