Wayne Rooney fired Manchester United to the top of the Premier League as the champions defeated 10-man West Bromwich Albion 2-0 to take full advantage of Manchester City’s 1-0 loss at Swansea yesterday.
Alex Ferguson’s side secured their fourth successive league win thanks to a brace from Rooney and that allowed the champions to move one point clear of bitter rivals City, who surrendered top spot when Luke Moore scored Swansea’s winner with just seven minutes left at the Liberty Stadium.
“I hope it is a significant day. We’ve turned it around and credit to the players for that,” Ferguson said.
“They have shown great resilience and determination. We had a period of injuries but we have come through that now.”
At Old Trafford, United made a slow start and Albion midfielder Keith Andrews prodded wide from close-range before firing in a powerful drive that David de Gea did well to save.
But the hosts gradually found their rhythm and took the lead in the 35th minute thanks to Rooney’s 23rd goal of the season.
Paul Scholes picked out Javier Hernandez and the Mexican forward made an incisive run in the penalty area before flicking a cross towards Rooney, who was just onside as he diverted the ball past Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster.
Albion’s hopes of a comeback began to fade in the 66th minute when defender Jonas Olsson was sent off for a second booking after tripping Hernandez.
And Ferguson’s team put the result beyond doubt when Rooney stroked home a penalty five minutes later after Andrews fouled Ashley Young.
United’s success was made even sweeter by City’s first defeat in five league matches and their second reverse of the week following a Europa League loss to Sporting Lisbon.
City boss Roberto Mancini said: “Swansea played very well but we had the control of the game in the second half and had chances to score. We are in second position now. The lead can change every game but it is important to start winning and scoring again.”
Mancini’s men were fortunate not to fall behind in the sixth minute when referee Lee Mason ruled that England goalkeeper Joe Hart had fouled Wayne Routledge as he tried to save at the winger’s feet.
Scott Sinclair took the spot-kick, but Hart plunged to his right to save the Swansea forward’s tame strike.
Swansea continued to dominate despite Sinclair’s miss and Mancini responded by sending on Argentine striker Sergio Aguero before half-time in place of Gareth Barry, who appeared to exchange words with City assistant David Platt as he trudged off.
City’s frustration appeared to boil over again at half-time, with reports of a tunnel argument between Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure.
Balotelli appealed in vain for a penalty early in the second half when the Italian striker made a theatrical tumble after a slight nudge from Joe Allen.
But City just couldn’t get into their stride and smooth-passing Swansea made them pay in the 83rd minute.
Stefan Savic gave the ball away and Routledge crossed for unmarked substitute Moore to head past Hart.
Micah Richards thought he had equalised in the closing moments but the defender’s header was rightly ruled out for offside.
Summaries
Man. United 2
Rooney 36, 71 pen;
West Brom 0
HT: 1-0. Att: 75,598.
Red card: Olsson (WB) 66.
Norwich City 1
Hoolahan 10;
Wigan 1
Moses 68;
HT: 1-0. Att: 26,653.
Swansea City 1
Moore 83;
Man. City 0
HT: 0-0. Att: 20,510.
Missed penalty: Sinclair (SC) 7.
P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | |
Man. United | 28 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 68 | 27 | 67 |
Man. City | 28 | 21 | 3 | 4 | 69 | 20 | 66 |
Tottenham | 28 | 16 | 5 | 7 | 52 | 34 | 53 |
Arsenal | 27 | 15 | 4 | 8 | 55 | 38 | 49 |
Chelsea | 28 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 48 | 32 | 49 |
Newcastle | 27 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 39 | 39 | 44 |
Liverpool | 27 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 30 | 26 | 39 |
Sunderland | 28 | 10 | 7 | 11 | 36 | 31 | 37 |
Everton | 27 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 28 | 28 | 37 |
Fulham | 28 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 37 | 37 | 36 |
Swansea City | 28 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 31 | 34 | 36 |
Norwich City | 28 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 39 | 45 | 36 |
Stoke City | 28 | 10 | 6 | 12 | 27 | 39 | 36 |
West Brom | 28 | 10 | 5 | 13 | 34 | 37 | 35 |
Aston Villa | 28 | 7 | 12 | 9 | 31 | 35 | 33 |
Blackburn | 28 | 6 | 7 | 15 | 40 | 60 | 25 |
Bolton | 28 | 7 | 2 | 19 | 31 | 57 | 23 |
QPR | 28 | 5 | 7 | 16 | 29 | 48 | 22 |
Wolves | 28 | 5 | 7 | 16 | 30 | 58 | 22 |
Wigan | 28 | 4 | 9 | 15 | 24 | 53 | 21 |
Playing today
Arsenal vs Newcastle - 21.00
Next fixtures
Tomorrow: Premier League 9 p.m. Liverpool vs Everton.
Saturday: FA Cup quarter-finals 1.45 p.m. Everton vs Sunderland. 18.30 Tottenham Hotspur vs Bolton Wanderers. Premier League 16.00 Fulham vs Swansea; Wigan vs West Brom.
Sunday: Premier League 14.30 Wolves vs Manchester United; 17.00 Newcastle United vs Norwich. FA Cup quarter-final 15.05 Chelsea vs Leicester; 17.00 Liverpool vs Stoke.
The Championship
Middlesbrough vs Leeds - 0-2
Standings: Southampton 69; West Ham United, Reading 66; M’boro 59; Brighton 58; Cardiff City 57; Birmingham, Blackpool 56; Hull 54; Leeds 53; C. Palace 49; Leicester, Burnley 48; Watford 47; Derby 46; Ipswich 45; Barnsley 43; Peter-borough 41; Millwall 37; N. Forest 35; Bristol Ciy 34; Coventry, Doncaster 30; Portsmouth 26.