Manchester United 2 West Brom 0: Advantage Fergie as Rooney double lifts United over City to top spot

By Matt Lawton
PUBLISHED: 15:51 GMT, 11 March 2012 | UPDATED: 22:10 GMT, 11 March 2012

The Premier League trophy went walkabout on Sunday, but only under heavy guard and only between the hospitality suites at Old Trafford during the half-time interval.
Right now there is little to suggest it will be venturing any further as Manchester United’s return to the summit of the table for the first time since October - 24 hours in February aside - was something that felt more significant than their slender lead over Manchester City would suggest.
News of Swansea’s winner at the Liberty Stadium was certainly celebrated with more gusto than either Wayne Rooney goal here on Sunday, no doubt because of the confidence that comes from a look at the respective fixture lists of United and City.
Neat: Manchester United's Wayne Rooney opened the scoring
Neat: Manchester United's Wayne Rooney opened the scoring

Delight: Rooney celebrates after sending United on their way to victory
Delight: Rooney celebrates after sending United on their way to victory

MATCH FACTS

Manchester United:De Gea, Evra, Jones, Ferdinand, Evans, Carrick, Young, Scholes (Pogba 72), Rooney, Hernandez, Welbeck (Cleverley 77)
Goals: Rooney 35, 71
Unused subs:Amos, Rafael, Giggs, Park Ji-sung, Berbatov
West Brom: Foster, Olsson, Ridgewell, McAuley, Tamas, Morrison, Andrews (Scharner 72), Brunt (Shorey 72), Mulumbu, Odemwingie, Fortune (Long 77)
Unused subs: Daniels, Tchoyi, Dorrans, Cox
Booked: Olsson
Sent off: Olsson
Referee: Probert
Attendance: 75, 598
Much is being made of that encounter between the two teams at the Etihad Stadium on April 30 and it is sure to be a fascinating game. Potentially pivotal, too. But by then United could be in a position of some strength. It could be that they can afford to lose. It could also be that a win secures a 20th league title for the club.
Far more unlikely is the possibility that United are already champions. That would be some collapse for City.
But United could be four points clear before City host Chelsea next week and the fact that Roberto Mancini’s side also have to travel to Arsenal before the end of next month places the advantage with Sir Alex Ferguson’s defending champions.
City have some daunting challenges ahead, while United do not meet a top-six team until they make that short journey across Manchester. Instead they face Wolves, Fulham, Blackburn, QPR, Wigan, Aston Villa and Everton.
Just as significant is the fact that this appears to be a United side hitting form at the right time in the league. Their 3-1 win at Tottenham was some result and they took three more points against West Brom with a couple of gears to spare - albeit after seeing their visitors cut to 10 men when Jonas Olsson was dismissed for a second yellow card in the 66th minute.
It is typical United. Typical of a team that have so often timed their run for the finish tape to perfection. City’s loss yesterday was a third defeat in eight games. Compare that with United. Seven wins and one draw in the same period, with a seven-point swing since the turn of the year.
Cool: Rooney sent Ben Foster the wrong way from the spot
Cool: Rooney sent Ben Foster the wrong way from the spot
Much of that has to do with Rooney. Ferguson agreed his principal striker is on ‘a hot streak’, the second goal he scored yesterday his ninth in six league games and his 26th in all competitions this season.
On this occasion Ferguson gave him all the support he could, partnering him with the selfless Javier Hernandez while deploying Danny Welbeck and Ashley Young on the flanks.
That was some strike force, one that West Bromwich could not contain despite one or two early opportunities of their own.Keith Andrews went close when he diverted a Liam Ridgewell cross just wide and threatened again when he forced a fine save from David de Gea.
Leaders: Manchester United lead the title race after City stumbled
Leaders: Manchester United lead the title race after City stumbled
After a difficult start to his career at United, the fact that De Gea is now performing with such authority could also prove significant.
At the opposite end Rooney took the first of his two goals - scored in the 35th minute - beautifully, darting between Albion’s defenders and Ben Foster to meet a Hernandez ball with an unstoppable volley. Foster thought that Rooney was offside. So did Ferguson. But the officials were spot on, allowing United a lead they deserved.




Dismissed: Jonas Olsson was given his marching orders for two bookings
Dismissed: Jonas Olsson was given his marching orders for two bookings
No entry: Foster denies Ashley Young
No entry: Foster denies Ashley Young
Roy Hodgson was not so happy with referee Lee Probert when he then ignored what looked like a decent shout for a West Bromwich penalty shortly after the break.
Patrice Evra did seem to catch Peter Odemwingie rather than the ball but Probert thought otherwise and United escaped.
That said, United were comfortably the better side in the second half. Hernandez saw a shot bounce back off a post and Welbeck somehow sent a shot wide of an open goal.
Squeaky bum time: United have a track record of strong run-ins
Squeaky bum time: United have a track record of strong run-ins

But five minutes after Olsson was dismissed for a reckless challenge on Hernandez - his second booking - Andrews pulled down Young in the box and Rooney converted from the penalty spot.

There were further incidents of note. Another appearance for Tom Cleverley and a save from De Gea to deny Shane Long.
But nothing was met with more joy and celebration than news of that Swansea goal, some 83 minutes into this match. With the trophy safe inside, Old Trafford erupted.
Clean: Johnny Evans helped the Red Devils keep a clean sheet
Clean: Johnny Evans helped the Red Devilskeep a clean sheet

In focus with Ian Ladyman

Paul Pogba: A few days after Pogba seemed set for a move to Juventus, he was on the United bench, coming on for Paul Scholes. Now United just need to get his name on a contract.
Eden Hazard: United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was back to his sprightly self on the bench, less than 24 hours after a whistle-stop dash to Lyon to watch Belgian star Hazard play for Lille.
Ben Foster:Left United two years ago giving the impression he lacked the temperament for a big club. Showed on Sunday, though, that he’s never lacked ability.


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"I call Uniteds title challenge 'The Exocet' , you can see it coming, but there's s*d all you can do about it, it's on it's way fella's -K Kennedy, Weatherfield. UK, 11/3/2012 20:52" - what a brilliant analogy, Curly! I like it!
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Mancblue Warrington, you and Gaz are a match made in heaven. Probably never go to Maine Road. Plastic blues.
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"Your comment matters not Canada boy, only those Utd fans who are local to Manchester have an opinion that counts. - Realist, Coventry, 11/3/2012 20:38" - So, tell us, Realist who must surely support Coventry City, what happens when a Mancunian, like me, moves out of Manchester? All of a sudden their opinions and views become invalid, do they? I think you'll struggle with this one, more so than you usually do, so take your time.
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"The real once dedicated Manchester United fans now follow FC United" - Great loyal fans who dumped their club for another when the going got "tough" (even then it was nothing compared to what most clubs have had to go through).
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Benny, come off it mate. Do you seriously think the sheik bought your lot to give your long-suffering(tm), dedicated, manchester postcode-only fans the break they'd been waiting for for 30 odd years? Or do you think they are touting round Asia and the US in pre-season tours like the rest of us to give the players a bit of a jolly before the league starts?
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We've really copped a lot of rubbish in recent months, from our rival teams' supporters, and others. But now's the time to turn the screws and show City how it's done. We're away to Wolves next (3 points). City hosts Chelsea next week and lets hope Chelsea can pick up a draw, as I can't see them winning at City.
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I think the point that manc82 is trying to make is that although he lives in Warrington he is originally from Manchester and has always supported Man City. I believe some one from Worcester said they were originally from Urmston which is in Manchester and still follow United , good fro them. United have picked up thousands of glory hunters who have never set foot in Manchester, hopefully Man city wont. City have a dedicated following of proper fans, Manchester United used to but the great majority are now visitors.The real once dedicated Manchester United fans now follow FC United.
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I'm very grateful to "Realist from Coventry" for his explanation of who's a real fan and who's not, and for wich comment you could trust or not. I think to be fan of a football club is not a matter of Geography. Personnaly I used to go to Old Trafford between 5 or 6 times per year since I was little boy. I always loved this team . So I perfectly understand that a fan of Manchester United who lives in Manchester is a most "true" fan than the others, but the others have the right to speak and give their feeling and opinion. Realist your comments are totally useless and silly!
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"VT, I'd just prefer the United fans who have no connection with Manchester to also have "glory supporter" after their name, because it really is pathetic they are so insecure they feel the need to attach themselves to a club they have absolutely no connection with". ------------------------------------------ What's pathetic is that it bothers you so much. Does someone supporting a club that isn't local to them have a detrimental effect on your live? No, so get over it.
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"VT, I'd just prefer the United fans who have no connection with Manchester to also have "glory supporter" after their name, because it really is pathetic they are so insecure they feel the need to attach themselves to a club they have absolutely no connection with". ------------------------------------------ What's pathetic is that it bothers you so much. Does someone supporting a club that is local to them have a detrimental effect on your live? No, so get over it.
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