Berbatov at double as Man United regain the lead
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Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov celebrates scoring the second goal of their English Premier League match against Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday. |
Dimitar Berbatov made light of Wayne Rooney's absence by scoring twice as Manchester United restored their one-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 4-0 win at Bolton on Saturday.
It took the reigning champions 38 minutes to go in front and then they needed an own-goal from Jlloyd Samuel.
United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar made some important saves before and after the opener and the visitors didn't put the result beyond doubt until Berbatov struck twice in the second half, with Darron Gibson adding a fourth late on.
Victory was all the more important for United after they had kicked off two points behind following Chelsea's 7-1 thrashing of Aston Villa earlier on Saturday.
It also set Sir Alex Ferguson's side up nicely for the midweek Champions League quarter-final trip to Bayern Munich as well as next weekend's clash with Chelsea.
Ferguson singled out Dutch veteran van der Sar for special praise after the goalkeeper saved well from Johan Elmander and Fabrice Muamba when the game was in the balance.
"They were absolutely magnificent saves," said Ferguson. "The second one, in particular, I think was a match-winning save."
Chelsea may have kept pace with United but third-placed Arsenal fell behind after the Gunners dropped points away to Birmingham, who scored late in a 1-1 draw.
"It was a bad one for Arsenal to drop points so late in the game today," said Ferguson. "They're now four points behind us.
"We'll all drop points but the name of the game is to make sure you don't drop as many as the rest."
Bolton, despite this defeat, remain five points above the relegation zone but frustrated manager Owen Coyle said: "If you switch off and gift them goals, as we did, you're going to be punished.
"But for 70 minutes of the game I thought we were terrific. The scoreline flatters Manchester United - no doubt about it. We were the architects of our own downfall."
United were without defender Rio Ferdinand and Rooney but still warmed up for Tuesday's Champions League first leg with Bayern Munich in some style.
Bolton caused the champions plenty of problems.
The impressive Jack Wilshere, on loan from Arsenal, opened up United's defense with a pass to Elmander but the Swede's drive was pushed around the post by van der Sar.
Ryan Giggs was picked out by Berbatov and cut inside Zat Knight before driving over from just outside the area.
Gary Cahill glanced a header wide from a free kick from South Korean winger Lee Chung-yong but seven minutes before the break United took the lead.
Samuel was not under too much pressure to clear Giggs's hopeful cross but still managed to turn the ball into the corner of his own net from six yards.
Van der Sar tipped a shot from Muamba over the bar and the former Arsenal midfielder also had a long-range effort deflected wide.
United had already been angered by Sam Ricketts's challenge on Patrice Evra when the same player tangled with Nani just before the break.
Ferguson came on to the pitch to remonstrate with referee Martin Atkinson as soon as the halftime whistle was blown.
United had chances to double their lead before Berbatov struck 21 minutes from time.
Giggs slipped a pass through for Darren Fletcher. The Scotland midfielder's shot was blocked by Jaaskelainen but not held by the goalkeeper and Berbatov reacted quickest to touch in.
Berbatov wrapped the points up when he was found by Nani's cross, after the Portuguese slipped past Ricketts with ease.
Gibson added a fourth with his first touch after coming on as a substitute, after more fine work from Nani, to seal a convincing victory.
