Hernandez and van Persie keep Manchester United ticking over

01 January 2013 17:47

Javier Hernandez and Robin van Persie each scored twice as Manchester United preserved their seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 4-0 win at the DW Stadium on Tuesday.

Alex Ferguson made five changes to the side that beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0 on Saturday.

While eight players have started all four of Wigan's festive matches, only four -- David de Gea, Patrice Evra, Jonny Evans and Michael Carrick -- had to do the same for United.

The Latics never got going and trailed to goals from Hernandez and van Persie at half-time, with Hernandez taking his tally to 12 for the season with a second goal after the break.

The Mexican further underlined his reputation as a goal-poacher, with every single one of his 31 Premier League goals having come from finishes inside the penalty area.

Van Persie continued his fine scoring form by taking his tally to 16 league goals for the season, as Ferguson's team made it eight wins in nine matches.

Wigan enjoyed plenty of early possession but United always carried the greater threat and were the first to threaten when Hernandez surged onto a ball from van Persie and had his shot saved by Ali Al Habsi at the near post.

Ashley Young burst through a challenge from James McArthur and sent a teasing cross across the area, but it had just too much on it for Ryan Giggs to touch in at the far post.

Wigan continued to dictate, but once again they were undone by a long ball, this time from Giggs, and Hernandez turned in, only to be called back for offside.

The Latics almost made the most of all of their possession when Franco Di Santo attempted to lob over the top for Arouna Kone and Jean Beausejour seized on Rio Ferdinand's clearance before thumping high and wide.

United finally clicked into gear just before the half-hour mark and when Tom Cleverley played Giggs into space, the veteran's cross was turned wide by Maynor Figueroa with Hernandez ready to pounce at the far post.

Ferguson's side went closer still when Al Habsi failed to deal with a van Persie free-kick and Gary Caldwell just blocked from Giggs.

Al Habsi also looked uncomfortable in dealing with a long shot from Rafael and was fortunate to see his block cleared before a United player could finish.

But 10 minutes before the interval, United secured the breakthrough when Wigan failed to clear a corner, Al Habsi could only push Patrice Evra's effort back into a dangerous area, and Hernandez finished from close range.

Two minutes before the interval they doubled their lead when McArthur and Figueroa collided to allow Hernandez to break for the box.

The Mexican found van Persie and when Ivan Ramis also slipped, the Dutchman jinked inside and stroked a sparkling shot inside the right-hand post.

Wigan thought they had pulled one back just before the hour mark when Kone touched in from a Di Santo cross, but it was ruled out for offside.

At the other end, Hernandez threw himself at Young's cross and got there ahead of Al Habsi, only to see the ball drop just over.

But United extended their lead when van Persie's free-kick hit the wall and Hernandez thumped the rebound past Al Habsi.

Wigan appeared to have run out of energy and ideas and substitute Jordi Gomez passed up two late chances to secure a consolation.

And with just over a minute left, van Persie touched in from a Danny Welbeck cross to add a fourth.

Source: AFP