Tévez helps United make their point
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Article summary
Manchester United FC salvaged a draw in Blackburn to go three points clear at the Premier League summit – yet it looks far less opaque at the bottom of the table.
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Chelsea await
Time looked to be running out for visitors United as they trailed Roque Santa Cruz's 21st-minute opener, and with a trip to Stamford Bridge awaiting next Saturday, the title race looked like being thrown wide open. Yet having been denied by the excellent Friedel earlier in the second half – a statement that could be applied to half the United team, though Cristiano Ronaldo did hit the upright – Tévez finally beat the keeper from a late corner. The forward escaped Brett Emerton's slack marking to glance in after Nani's corner had been flicked on by Paul Scholes.
McCann volley
At the other end of the table Bolton Wanderers FC, fresh from seeing off West Ham United FC last time out, boosted their chances of extending their seven-year stay in the Premier League as Gavin McCann volleyed in from close range on the hour to secure a 1-0 victory at Middlesbrough FC. The visitors had to battle hard to deny their hosts in the early stages, but they held on to set up a vital win and moved out of the bottom three at the expense of Birmingham City FC, ahead of the Midlands side's derby with Aston Villa FC on Sunday.
Changed lineup
Fulham FC also triumphed in their previous outing, yet hopes are fading rapidly at Craven Cottage after the Londoners failed to trouble Rafael Benítez's much-changed Liverpool FC lineup. With one eye on Tuesday's UEFA Champions League semi-final first-leg encounter at home against Chelsea FC, the Reds left their hosts five points from safety with goals from Jermaine Pennant (17) and Peter Crouch (70).
Arsenal class
Reading FC are just one point clear of trouble, meanwhile, after succumbing 2-0 at Arsenal FC. Emmanuel Adebayor and Gilberto both struck before half-time to give the Gunners only their second success in nine league games and increase the pressure on Reading, who will be desperate to avoid joining bottom club Derby County FC in the second tier next term. For their part, Derby went down 2-1 at West Ham, while 13th-placed Wigan Athletic FC fought back to draw 1-1 at home against Tottenham Hotspur FC.