Rooney double fires United 7 points clear
Source: Agencies |
February 1, 2013, Friday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
MANCHESTER United surged seven points clear in the English Premier League, thanks to Wayne Rooney's double in a 2-1 win over Southampton, while third-place Chelsea imploded late at Reading on Wednesday.
Chelsea surrendered a two-goal cushion with three minutes left to draw 2-2, heaping further misery on under-pressure manager Rafa Benitez. Thankfully for Benitez, Chelsea's leading rival for the Champions League spots couldn't capitalize.
Fourth-place Tottenham only drew 1-1 thanks to Gareth Bale's solo goal that began in his own half, while Arsenal and Liverpool missed a chance to close the gap on the top four by drawing 2-2 in an entertaining match at Emirates Stadium.
It meant fifth-place Everton was the big winner, beating West Bromwich Albion 2-1 to move one point behind Tottenham and pull three clear of Arsenal.
Rooney scored in the eighth and 27th minutes to make it nine goals in nine games for United, who is finally starting to shine after seeing fellow striker Robin van Persie take most of the plaudits this season.
Those goals canceled out Southampton's opener in the third minute, which arrived when Michael Carrick's weak back-pass wasn't cleared by goalkeeper David de Gea, allowing Jay Rodriguez to nip in and score.
Benitez was flabbergasted after seeing Chelsea throw away what seemed a watertight lead, when Adam Le Fondre halved the deficit and equalized in the fifth minute of injury time.
"We did everything to win the game. For 85 minutes we were dominating everything," Benitez said. "It is very difficult to take."
Juan Mata and Frank Lampard scored for Chelsea, which remains four points ahead of Tottenham.
Arsenal's draw with Liverpool did little to improve either side's hopes of climbing back into the top four, showing up both teams' deficiencies.
Shocking defending by the hosts let in Luis Suarez for the opener after five minutes and then Jordan Henderson in the 60th. But Liverpool defended far too deeply and goals by Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott earned Arsenal a point.
(AP)
Chelsea surrendered a two-goal cushion with three minutes left to draw 2-2, heaping further misery on under-pressure manager Rafa Benitez. Thankfully for Benitez, Chelsea's leading rival for the Champions League spots couldn't capitalize.
Fourth-place Tottenham only drew 1-1 thanks to Gareth Bale's solo goal that began in his own half, while Arsenal and Liverpool missed a chance to close the gap on the top four by drawing 2-2 in an entertaining match at Emirates Stadium.
It meant fifth-place Everton was the big winner, beating West Bromwich Albion 2-1 to move one point behind Tottenham and pull three clear of Arsenal.
Rooney scored in the eighth and 27th minutes to make it nine goals in nine games for United, who is finally starting to shine after seeing fellow striker Robin van Persie take most of the plaudits this season.
Those goals canceled out Southampton's opener in the third minute, which arrived when Michael Carrick's weak back-pass wasn't cleared by goalkeeper David de Gea, allowing Jay Rodriguez to nip in and score.
Benitez was flabbergasted after seeing Chelsea throw away what seemed a watertight lead, when Adam Le Fondre halved the deficit and equalized in the fifth minute of injury time.
"We did everything to win the game. For 85 minutes we were dominating everything," Benitez said. "It is very difficult to take."
Juan Mata and Frank Lampard scored for Chelsea, which remains four points ahead of Tottenham.
Arsenal's draw with Liverpool did little to improve either side's hopes of climbing back into the top four, showing up both teams' deficiencies.
Shocking defending by the hosts let in Luis Suarez for the opener after five minutes and then Jordan Henderson in the 60th. But Liverpool defended far too deeply and goals by Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott earned Arsenal a point.
(AP)
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