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December 29, 2009

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Spurs see off Hammers, United wins

LUKA Modric marked his return to Tottenham's starting lineup by scoring in a 2-0 win over West Ham yesterday that sent his team back into the Champions League places.

Modric, who has been restricted to two brief substitute appearances since breaking his right leg in August, scored in the 11th minute by sweeping Aaron Lennon's cross into the net. Lennon also fed Jermain Defoe in 81st and the former West Ham striker fired home after keeper Robert Green parried his initial shot.

The victory lifted Tottenham to fourth in the Premier League standings, two points ahead of Aston Villa, which hosts Liverpool today.

West Ham is a point above the relegation zone having played three more matches than 18th-place Bolton.

On Sunday, Wayne Rooney was involved in every goal as Manchester United beat struggling Hull City 3-1 to slash Chelsea's lead to two points in the Premier League.

The result lifted champion United back ahead of Arsenal, which defeated fourth-placed Aston Villa 3-0 with Spain midfielder Cesc Fabregas coming off the bench to score two second-half goals, into second place.

Stuttering Chelsea faltered on Saturday when it failed to score for the first time in 34 games and was held to a 0-0 draw at Birmingham City.

Chelsea has 42 points from 19 games, Manchester United is on 40 from the same number and Arsenal has 38 but with a game in hand.

Rooney fired United ahead from close range on the stroke of halftime at the KC Stadium but allowed Hull back into the game with a woeful back pass in the 58th minute that led to a Craig Fagan penalty.

The England striker redeemed himself when his cross was turned in by Andy Dawson for a 73rd-minute own goal that put United back in front. Dimitar Berbatov made it 3-1 by tapping in at the far post eight minutes from time, Rooney setting him up with a perfect pass.

"He made a mistake in giving away the ball for a goal, that was his one bad moment in the game," said manager Alex Ferguson of Rooney's contribution.

"But I thought he was exceptionally good today. He's a natural winner, always had a great attitude and determination to do well and he would be more sick than anyone that he made a mistake. He rectified it in a nice way."

In Scotland, Kenny Miller scored twice as Rangers came from behind to beat Hibernian 4-1 on Sunday and restore its four-point lead over Celtic in the Scottish title race.

Rangers fell behind when third-place Hibs scored after just 12.4 seconds for the fastest ever Scottish Premier League goal. Anthony Stokes latched onto Merouane Zemmama's pass and sent an angled drive past goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

Rangers equalized through Miller and Kris Boyd headed home before the break for the defending champions. Nacho Novo put Rangers further ahead in the 53rd and Miller scored a second to complete the comeback.



 

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