Man United 5 Tottenham 2: Two-goal Rooney leads the way for Fergies comeback kings

Published: 25 Apr 2009 - 19:49:11

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Man United 5 Tottenham 2: Two-goal Rooney leads the way for Fergies comeback kings

Manchester United produced an astonishing five-goal second-half show to overhaul Tottenham at Old Trafford and move three points clear of title rivals Liverpool once more. Two goals adrift at the interval following close-range strikes by Darren Bent and Luka Modric, United pulled one back through a controversial Cristiano Ronaldo penalty. Wayne Rooney levelled before Ronaldo's diving header put United in front, with Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov wrapping up an amazing win that strengthens the Red Devils' claims on an 18th league title. There was no 800th Manchester United appearance for Ryan Giggs todayas Manchester United attempted to leapfrog Liverpool and go straightback to the Barclays Premier League summit by beating Tottenham at OldTrafford. Giggs was not even named on the bench, although Carlos Tevez was asthe unhappy South American again played second fiddle to Wayne Rooneyand Dimitar Berbatov. Ledley King and Jermaine Jenas came into the Tottenham line-up,although the main news out of White Hart Lane was the withdrawal ofEngland star Jermain Defoe following the tragic death of hishalf-brother Jade, which was announced earlier today. Spot prize: Cristiano Ronaldo scores United's first goal Berbatov, who has only been a qualified success since leaving Spursfor Old Trafford last year, nearly got on the end of a Darren Fletcherthrough ball. Nani then could not turn on to a back heel fromcountryman Cristiano Ronaldo. In between, Aaron Lennon had a spiritedrun at the United defence without coming close to scoring the firstgoal in three meetings between the sides this season, the Red Devils'Carling Cup triumph last month coming courtesy of a penalty shoot-out. Indeed,Spurs had not been beaten by any of the 'top-four' this term and mighthave gone in front when Lennon crossed for Darren Bent at the far postbut Edwin van der Sar made the save. Red rage: Ronaldo is mobbed after putting United 3-2 ahead Man United v Tottenham: How the game unfoldedMAN UNITED