Wayne Rooney fires home the penalty that gave Man Utd the lead against Sunderland
Wayne Rooney inspired Manchester United to a 2-0 Barclays Premier League win over 10-man Sunderland that returned his side to third in the table.
Sunderland had come away from Old Trafford with a 1-0 victory last season and early openings for Connor Wickham and Jermain Defoe suggested the hosts could have a similarly uncomfortable afternoon.
Ashley Young come close to giving United the lead when his first-half effort was diverted against the crossbar by John O’Shea. The Sunderland captain and Wes Brown were at the centre of the game’s decisive moment in the 64th minute. Radamel Falcao was fouled under pressure from the two centre-backs to concede a penalty, with Brown shown a red card by referee Roger East.
Rooney, who was starting up-front as Louis van Gaal made five changes to his starting XI, converted from the spot and added a second in the 84th minute to ensure United bounced back from a 2-1 defeat to Swansea City last time out, keeping their bid for UEFA Champions League qualification on track.
The goal also ended an eight-match run in the Barclays Premier League for Rooney without a goal.
Peter Crouch needed just two minutes after coming off the bench to strike the decisive blow as Stoke City beat Hull City 1-0 and equal a Barclays Premier League record. The former England striker headed home with his second touch after coming on as a second-half substitute at the Britannia Stadium, ending Hull’s recent resurgence.
A lacklustre, scrappy first half ended without an effort on target but Charlie Adam’s introduction at the break gave Stoke a lift. The Scot’s two early efforts on Allan McGregor’s goal both went wide but he turned provider for Crouch in the 72nd minute, lifting an inch-perfect cross into the penalty area for the veteran striker to nod home in trademark fashion.
The goal marked Crouch’s 46th with his head in the Barclays Premier League, equalling Alan Shearer’s record.
Swansea City earned a 1-0 win against Burnley as Kieran Trippier’s own goal gave Garry Monk’s side all three points at Turf Moor. A low-key affair was settled by a scrappy goal midway through the second half, as Swansea were able to build on last week’s 2-1 win over Manchester United.
Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton produced a superb save to keep out former Burnley loanee Jack Cork at the back post, but Cork’s rebound struck Trippier and was fumbled over the line by the shot-stopper. The win lifts Swansea to eighth, while defeat means Burnley remain in the bottom three, with QPR just above them on goal difference with a match in hand.
Newcastle United condemned Tim Sherwood to a second consecutive loss as Aston Villa manager as they ran out 1-0 winners at St James’ Park. John Carver’s side, boosted by the return of Jonas Gutierrez to the bench for the first time since the Argentinian overcame testicular cancer, took the lead against the run of play through Papiss Cisse’s 11th league goal of the campaign midway through the first half.
They were able to celebrate three points after soaking up second-half pressure, with Christian Benteke having a goal ruled out for offside, while the hosts also went close through Ryan Taylor and Ayoze Perez. The result lifts Newcastle on to 35 points, while Villa have lost seven consecutive league matches and remain in 19th place.
Saido Berahino endured a day of mixed emotions as his superb early goal gave West Bromwich Albion a 1-0 win over Southampton before he was forced off injured in the second half.
The West Brom striker, who was passed fit to start the match at The Hawthorns despite carrying a knock, gave Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster no chance with an unstoppable half-volley after just two minutes. However, West Brom head coach Tony Pulis will be concerned by his attacking options after his top scorer was replaced shortly after the break, by Brown Ideye, who also apparently picked up an injury late on.
source:premierleague.com
STUDIO 3 NEWCASTLE AUSTRALIA 