MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) – Dimitar Berbatov gave 10-man Manchester United a vital 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford on Saturday.
With United boss Sir Alex Ferguson serving the first of his five-match touchine ban, the Premier League leaders looked bereft of inspiration for long periods.
Their hopes of taking advantage of Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion seemed to have suffered a further blow 15 minutes from time when defender Jonny Evans was shown a straight red card for an horrendous, studs-up challenge on Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden.
But Ferguson, watching in the directors’ box, was on his feet two minutes from time when Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen fumbled a long-range shot from Nani and substitute Berbatov was able to walk the rebound into an open goal.
United are now five points clear of second-place Arsenal, who have a game in hand on the leaders.
United’s troubles might have started earlier, after just three minutes to be precise, when a slip by Michael Carrick allowed Gretar Steinsson to find Johan Elmander who, in turn, made the perfect lay-off for midfielder Fabrice Muamba.
Fortunately, for the home side, the Bolton man showed terrible footwork and miscontrolled from just 12 yards out.
It was the
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