Man United seal rescue act
19 April 2013 12:44 AM GMT
Robin van Persie struck a late equaliser at West Ham United for the second time this season as champions elect Manchester United scraped a 2-2 draw in the Premier League on Wednesday.
Just as he had in the 2-2 FA Cup draw at Upton Park in January, van Persie found the net in front of the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand to rescue United from being penalised for a sluggish display.
West Ham had looked set to earn a hard-fought win through a vicious strike from Mohamed Diame, who restored the hosts’ lead early in the second half after Antonio Valencia cancelled out Ricardo Vaz Te’s opener.United now require six points from their final five games to secure a 20th English league title.
Their lead is now 13 points, but while a late collapse appears unthinkable, manager Alex Ferguson will be concerned by the apathy that has crept into his team’s play. West Ham, meanwhile, climb one place to 11th one point short of the 40-point mark and their top-flight status seems all but secure.
James Collins glanced a Gary O’Neil corner over the bar, before the hosts’ positive start received its reward in the 17th minute.
Manchester United levelled with Van Persie slipping a pass inside to Shinji Kagawa, whose shimmy took him past a defender and allowed him to centre for Valencia to tap home.
Collecting a pass from Guy Demel near the United byline on the West Ham right, he span away from Rooney and set himself before bending a sweet left-foot shot into the bottom-left corner from outside the box. West Ham’s luck was to desert them in the 77th minute, as Van Persie slammed home the equaliser.
CHELSEA PUNISH FULHAM 3-0, MANCHESTER CITY WIN AT HOME
Chelsea moved third in the Premier League as John Terry scored twice following a David Luiz thunderbolt in their 3-0 win against west London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday.
Brazil star Luiz lashed home from 35 yards in the 30th minute before Terry netted with a brace of close-range headers in the 42nd and 71st minutes.
Chelsea are one point ahead of fourth placed Arsenal and three in front of fifth placed Tottenham.
Carlos Tevez struck late on to give Manchester City a 1-0 win against unlucky Wigan in their FA Cup final dress rehearsal at Eastlands on Wednesday.
Manchester City travel to White Hart Lane as they face Tottenham. Man united host Aston Villa on Monday.
Just as he had in the 2-2 FA Cup draw at Upton Park in January, van Persie found the net in front of the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand to rescue United from being penalised for a sluggish display.
West Ham had looked set to earn a hard-fought win through a vicious strike from Mohamed Diame, who restored the hosts’ lead early in the second half after Antonio Valencia cancelled out Ricardo Vaz Te’s opener.United now require six points from their final five games to secure a 20th English league title.
Their lead is now 13 points, but while a late collapse appears unthinkable, manager Alex Ferguson will be concerned by the apathy that has crept into his team’s play. West Ham, meanwhile, climb one place to 11th one point short of the 40-point mark and their top-flight status seems all but secure.
James Collins glanced a Gary O’Neil corner over the bar, before the hosts’ positive start received its reward in the 17th minute.
Manchester United levelled with Van Persie slipping a pass inside to Shinji Kagawa, whose shimmy took him past a defender and allowed him to centre for Valencia to tap home.
Collecting a pass from Guy Demel near the United byline on the West Ham right, he span away from Rooney and set himself before bending a sweet left-foot shot into the bottom-left corner from outside the box. West Ham’s luck was to desert them in the 77th minute, as Van Persie slammed home the equaliser.
CHELSEA PUNISH FULHAM 3-0, MANCHESTER CITY WIN AT HOME
Chelsea moved third in the Premier League as John Terry scored twice following a David Luiz thunderbolt in their 3-0 win against west London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday.
Brazil star Luiz lashed home from 35 yards in the 30th minute before Terry netted with a brace of close-range headers in the 42nd and 71st minutes.
Chelsea are one point ahead of fourth placed Arsenal and three in front of fifth placed Tottenham.
Carlos Tevez struck late on to give Manchester City a 1-0 win against unlucky Wigan in their FA Cup final dress rehearsal at Eastlands on Wednesday.
Manchester City travel to White Hart Lane as they face Tottenham. Man united host Aston Villa on Monday.
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