Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester United 1 Bolton 0: Berbatov back with a bang to rescue 10-man Reds
[LNB]Even without Sir Alex Ferguson urging them on from the touchline, Manchester United roused themselves to score a dramatic late winner and take a significant step to a record 19th league title. [LNB]The celebrations when substitute Dimitar Berbatov scrambled home the only goal after 88 minutes matched anything Old Trafford has seen in recent years - and no wonder.[LNB] Over the line: Berbatov scored a late winner as United extended their lead over Arsenal in the title race [LNB] It took the Premier League leaders, down to 10 men following a red card for Jonny Evans, a precious five points clear of their only realistic challengers, Arsenal. [LNB]Suddenly, the showdown at the Emirates Stadium on May 1 looks less daunting for United, even though they have a lengthening injury list that forced them to play Michael Carrick at centre-half for the final 14 minutes.[LNB] Ferguson, who kept in touch with hiscoaching team via telephone from the directors' box, admitted: 'Five points is a great lead. Arsenal have a game in hand but we have the points. The international break comes at a great time for us. Once we get our big players altogether, we will have a great chance.' [LNB] Missing link: Ferguson's vacant seat in the dugout as the Manchester United manager started a five-match touchline ban[LNB]And Wayne Rooney, outstanding on Saturday, is already dreaming about surpassing Liverpool's record of 18 championships.[LNB] 'It's definitely something I have been thinking about a lot,' he acknowledged. 'To be part of the team that wins a record title and overtakes Liverpool would mean so much to us players as well as the fans.'[LNB]MATCH FACTS MAN UTD (4-4-2): Van der Sar, Brown (Fabio 46min), Evans, Smalling, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Giggs, Nani; Rooney, Hernandez (Berbatov 46). Subs (not used): Kuszczak, Owen, Park, Gibson, Gill. Sent off: Evans (76min). [LNB]BOLTON (4-3-3): Jaaskelainen; Steinsson, Cahill, Wheater, Robinson; Muamba (Klasnic 90), Holden (Taylor 78), Petrov; Elmander, Davies, Sturridge (Lee 60). Subs (not used): Bogdan, Moreno, Blake, Alonso.[LNB] Referee: A Marriner (W Midlands).[LNB] If United do it, they will look backon this victory in the same way older fans reminisce about Steve Bruce's injury- time winner against Sheffield Wednesday that helped United win their first Premier League crown. [LNB]They looked in terrible trouble when Evans was sent off after 76 minutes for a dangerously high tackle that caught Stuart Holden around the knee and led to the Bolton man being carried off on a stretcher in some distress.[LNB] But even without Ferguson glowering at them because of a five-match touchline ban, the United players showedextraordinary resolve. [LNB]Jussi Jaaskelainen made one great save from Nani but when he failed to hold the winger's low drive with time running out, Berbatov hit the rebound from close range to become the first player to score 20 Premier League goals this season.[LNB] Incredibly, Ferguson explained afterwards that his top scorer was only introduced at half-time because of his height. Rooney and Javier Hernandez were the starting strike force but Ferguson said: 'Because we had to take Wes Brown off with an injury, we had to add some height to the team. Young Chicharito had to be sacrificed for that so Berbatov could help us at set-pieces and be anattacking player.'[LNB] Of having to mastermind the victory from high up in the stand, Ferguson dismissed it. 'I had a telephone up there. No problem,' he growled.[LNB] All smiles: Ferguson celebrates from the stands as United secure all three points [LNB]For 76 minutes, Bolton matched Unitedwith one lucky escape, when referee Andre Marriner judged Gary Cahill'shandball to block a Hernandez shot accidental. [LNB]Rooney had his shooting boots on and one acrobatic hooked shot over his head was clutched under the bar by Jaaskelainen. Brown's departure added to an injury list that includes Nemanja Vidic, Rafael da Silva and John O'Shea, although Vidic should beback to face West Ham in a fortnight, when Ji-Sung Park and Darren Fletcher may also be available. [LNB]Berbatov's arrival did not lead to any improvement from United and Matt Taylor missed a simple header for Bolton with just Edwin van der Sar to beat. It looked ominous for Unitedwhen Evans caught Holden high up and was sent off after Bolton players had screamed for the physio to rush on. [LNB] The pain and the glory: Evans was sent for an early bath after a poor challenge on Holden [LNB]But with Carrick filling in at the back, United suddenly found another gear and the late pressure told as the crowd exploded with noise. [LNB]'I think our fans were magnificent. They got us over the line,' said Ferguson. 'We actually got better with 10 men, everyone put in a shift and we got a deserved winner. We were the far better team.' [LNB]But Bolton manager Owen Coyle was proud of his FA Cup semi-finalists. 'It shows how far we have come in a year that we are disappointed to lose to a late goal at Old Trafford,' he said. 'It didn't make any difference to me not having Sir Alex there in the dugout. Half the time, the players can't hear what we managers are shouting anyway.'[LNB] Moyes insists Everton have not done a deal with Man United for RodwellPREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: All of Saturday's action from around the groundsAndy Townsend's boot room: All the weekend's Premier League previewsAll the latest Bolton Wanderers news, features and opinionAll the latest Manchester United news, features and opinion[LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Gary Cahill, Edwin Van Der Sar, Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney, Nani, Steve Bruce, Darren Fletcher, Nemanja Vidic, John O'Shea, Wes Brown, Owen Coyle, Matt Taylor Places: Liverpool
