Source: Daily_Mail
Hull City 1 Manchester United 3: Electric Wayne Rooney fires as Reds close gap on Chelsea
Wayne Rooney rescued Manchester United after almost playing the Barclays Premier League champions into trouble at struggling Hull.[LNB]Rooney gave United the lead in first-half stoppage time at the KC Stadium but then gifted Hull a route back with the mistake that led to Craig Fagan's penalty equaliser.[LNB]The England striker then stepped up a gear to force an own goal from Andy Dawson and then set up a third for strike partner Dimitar Berbatov.[LNB]The hard-fought victory lifted United back above Arsenal into second and within two points of leaders Chelsea.[LNB]It was also United's first encounter with Alan Wiley since manager Sir Alex Ferguson's outspoken attack on the referee in October, when he claimed the official was unfit.[LNB]On this occasion United could complain little about Wiley's decisions, and were perhaps lucky not to see Patrice Evra sent off in the second half.[LNB] Title charge: Rooney celebrates as Andy Dawson turns his cross past Boaz Myhill[LNB][LNB]After last week's injury-influenced debacle at Fulham, Unitedwelcomed back a trio of defenders in Rafael da Silva, Wes Brown andNemanja Vidic.[LNB]That gave United a much more familiar look as Darren Fletcher andMichael Carrick returned to midfield roles while Ryan Giggs andBerbatov also came back the champions.[LNB]United started patiently but burst into life after five minutes as Antonio Valencia charged down the right.[LNB]The Ecuador international picked out Giggs with a well-flightedcross but the Welshman's volley dipped just over Boaz Myhill's bar.[LNB]Giggs was then inches away from scoring from a 16th-minute free-kick after Rooney went down under a Kamil Zayatte challenge.[LNB]Hull weathered that storm and appealed for a penalty after making arare break but Brown's challenge as Richard Garcia raced onto a Faganball was deemed fair.[LNB]Seyi Olofinjana tried his luck from long range for Hull but Tomasz Kuszczak was not troubled.[LNB]Rooney went close again for United as Hull waited in vain for an offside flag, forcing Myhill to palm over with a stinging shot.[LNB]Hull were unlucky not to take the lead after piecing together a brilliant move in the 28th minute.[LNB]Garcia began the attack with a weaving run before finding Fagan outwide. Fagan's perfect cross was met on the volley by Olofinjana on thesix-yard line but Kuszczak saved to his right.[LNB] [LNB] Double act: Rooney and Berbatov celebrate victory[LNB][LNB]Hull survived a real scare when Myhill sliced a clearance but Giggsand Rooney were unable to take advantage of an unexpected opening.[LNB]The Tigers spurned another good opportunity as Olofinjana foundStephen Hunt on the left but the Irishman shot tamely across goal.[LNB]Rafael then beat the offside trap at the end of an intricate move onthe edge of the Hull box but Myhill saved brilliantly from theBrazilian.[LNB]Pressure finally paid off as Hull failed to clear a Fletcher crossand Rooney tapped in from close range during two minutes of stoppagetime.[LNB]United were relieved but Rooney turned villain with a horrendous error just before the hour.[LNB]Rooney played Kuszczak into trouble with a weak backpass and Fagan nipped in to win the ball.[LNB]Fagan's touch took it too wide to shoot but he turned and lofted ina cross for Jozy Altidore, who was bundled over by the backtrackingRafael.[LNB]Wiley pointed to the spot and Fagan, taking over spot-kicking duties, stepped up to coolly slot an equaliser.[LNB] Level pegging: Craig Fagan made it 1-1 from the spot[LNB] [LNB]United almost reclaimed the lead moments later as Brown rose to meeta corner but Myhill clawed the ball away from under his bar as Rooneythreatened.[LNB]Hull went close from their own corner as Garcia met a Hunt cross but his header flashed across goal.[LNB]Evra, booked in the first half, was fortunate to escape a secondyellow card for holding back Fagan as Hull tried to launch anothercounter-attack.[LNB]Rooney then redeemed himself by forcing the own goal that put United back in front after 73 minutes.[LNB]Hull were caught as United broke from deep and Giggs put Rooneythrough. The angle was a tight one but Hull could not get back quicklyenough and Rooney's cross was turned in by Dawson.[LNB]There was no way back for Hull and Berbatov finished the job eight minutes from time, although he owed much to Rooney.[LNB]The England man was allowed to stroll into the area from halfway asHull reacted slowly to a long Vidic header and then picked out Berbatovat the far post with a measured ball. The Bulgarian had a simple taskto slide home. [LNB]Hull showed spirit as Bernard Mendy and Fagan shot wide and theirperformance should offer encouragement for Tuesday's crunch clash atBolton.[LNB] [LNB] Mourinho wants United job: Jose snubbed City to take over from FergieReal set to beat Arsenal and United in race to sign Lille star Eden HazardHull 1 United 3: The action as it happenedHULL CITY FC
