United labors to 1-0 victory in Sunderland
Source: Agencies |
March 31, 2013, Sunday
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MANCHESTER United used a first-half own goal by Titus Bramble to beat Sunderland 1-0 yesterday, securing a seventh straight Premier League win to inch the runaway leaders closer to a 20th English title.
Robin van Persie's shot in the 27th minute was heading wide but Bramble stuck out a leg and deflected the ball into the corner of his own net, rewarding United for its early dominance at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.
The visitors, who came into the match holding a 15-point cushion at the top, sat back in the second half but held on relatively comfortably. Only the biggest meltdown in Premier League history would stop them reclaiming the title off second-place Manchester City, which was playing Newcastle United late yesterday.
"We are getting closer," United midfielder Michael Carrick said. "It's one game less but we still have to go again. We will keep plugging away."
United dominated a lethargic Sunderland side from the start despite Ferguson resting the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra with tomorrow's FA Cup quarterfinal replay against Chelsea in mind. The only negative was the 32nd-minute withdrawal of Brazilian right back Rafael da Silva because of injury.
Van Persie's streak without a United goal stretches to eight matches but he was integral in the opener here, firing in a shot that deflected first off Phil Bardsley and then more decisively off the outstretched right thigh of Bramble and into the corner.
That capped a bright start to the match by Van Persie, who almost doubled the advantage late in the first half when he exchanged passes with Carrick only to volley just over the bar.
"This team is just full of winners," said Van Persie, who is likely to win the English title for the first time in his first season with United. "Everyone knows what he has to do."
Robin van Persie's shot in the 27th minute was heading wide but Bramble stuck out a leg and deflected the ball into the corner of his own net, rewarding United for its early dominance at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.
The visitors, who came into the match holding a 15-point cushion at the top, sat back in the second half but held on relatively comfortably. Only the biggest meltdown in Premier League history would stop them reclaiming the title off second-place Manchester City, which was playing Newcastle United late yesterday.
"We are getting closer," United midfielder Michael Carrick said. "It's one game less but we still have to go again. We will keep plugging away."
United dominated a lethargic Sunderland side from the start despite Ferguson resting the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra with tomorrow's FA Cup quarterfinal replay against Chelsea in mind. The only negative was the 32nd-minute withdrawal of Brazilian right back Rafael da Silva because of injury.
Van Persie's streak without a United goal stretches to eight matches but he was integral in the opener here, firing in a shot that deflected first off Phil Bardsley and then more decisively off the outstretched right thigh of Bramble and into the corner.
That capped a bright start to the match by Van Persie, who almost doubled the advantage late in the first half when he exchanged passes with Carrick only to volley just over the bar.
"This team is just full of winners," said Van Persie, who is likely to win the English title for the first time in his first season with United. "Everyone knows what he has to do."
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