Man U join Arsenal at the top
LONDON (AFP) – Manchester United moved level on points with Arsenal at the top of the Premiership yesterday after a clinical 3-0 win over West Ham.
Arsenal, who face Tottenham today, remain top on goal difference after Chelsea blew their chance to go a point clear when they were held to a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough.
United’s seventh straight win in all competitions sent Alex Ferguson’s side into the hectic Christmas programme of matches in festive mood.
But it looks like being a gloomy holiday period for West Ham after their 11th defeat of the season left them solidly anchored to the bottom of the Premiership table.
An Ole Gunnar Solskjaer header followed within two minutes by Juan Veron’s swerving free-kick put United in control with little over a quarter of an hour gone.
Any hope of a West Ham fightback was snuffed out just after the hour mark when Gary Neville’s low cross acrss the goalmouth was bundled over the line by West Ham defender Sebastien Schemmel.
Ferguson left fit-again David Beckham on the bench for the first half and warned his other injured stars that they would have to work hard to regain their places in the side, given the way their replacements have performed.
Middlesbrough maintained their unbeaten record at home against Chelsea but they had to survive some intense pressure from their on-form visitors.
Former Real Madrid wingback, Geremi, fired Boro ahead with a stunning 32nd minute free-kick.
That triggered a furious fightback from Chelsea, who finally found a way past the outstanding Mark Schwarzer three minutes before the break.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink whipped in a corner from the left, the Boro defence failed to clear and John Terry fired home a left foot shot from close range.
Wayne Rooney was Everton’s hero as they came from behind to beat Blackburn at Goodison Park and move above city neighbours Liverpool into fourth place.
Andy Cole headed the visitors ahead from David Thompson’s free-kick after six minutes.
But Everton were on level terms within another six minutes, Lee Carsley tapping in a rebound after 17-year-old Rooney’s shot struck the inside of the post.
Rooney, who had started the match instead of Tomasz Radzinski, then got on the scoresheet himself with a 25th minute strike that proved to be the winner.
Thomas Hitzlsperger gave ten-man Aston Villa a badly needed win with an injury time strike against Midlands rivals, West Brom.
Jason Koumas had equalised just before the half-hour mark after Darius Vassell had put Villa ahead.
But after being repeatedly thwarted by Russell Hoult in the West Brom goal and having Steve Staunton sent off, Villa looked to have settled for a point before the German popped up with his late show.
Cameroon international, Marc-Vivien Foe, claimed a double as Manchester City came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw at Charlton.