Rooney double helps United to top spot

Manchester United FC moved a point clear at the top of the Premier League after Wayne Rooney scored both goals in a 2-1 home win against Liverpool FC.

With Manchester City FC not playing until Sunday, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men had the chance to overtake their crosstown title rivals for a day at least – and they took full advantage at Old Trafford. The first half simmered, without coming to the boil and the only real opening fell to Paul Scholes, whose header on the half-hour was directed straight at Pepe Reina.

Matters changed suddenly after the break. In the 47th minute, Ryan Giggs swung in a right-sided corner, the ball flicked off Jordan Henderson’s head, and Rooney volleyed in emphatically. Soon after Antonio Valencia won possession off Jay Spearing and slipped in Rooney to double his, and United’s account. It was the England striker’s fourth goal in his last two games. Luis Suárez replied with ten minutes remaining, but United held on for the three points.

In the day’s late game, Tottenham Hotspur FC consolidated third place through a 5-0 home success against Newcastle United FC with Emmanuel Adebayor involved in all the goals, scoring one. Thierry Henry struck a late winner for Arsenal FC at Sunderland AFC, while there were also victories for Blackburn Rovers FC, Wigan Athletic FC, Everton FC, Fulham FC and Norwich City FC.

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English Premier League 2011/12

HomeAway Last updated: 11/02/2012 20:25 CET

11/02/2012

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Tottenham5-0Newcastle

Assou-Ekotto 4, Saha 6, 20, Kranjčar 34, Adebayor 64

Venue: London

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Bolton1-2Wigan

Davies 67

G. Caldwell 43, McArthur 77

Venue: Bolton

11/02/2012

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Sunderland1-2Arsenal

McClean 70

Ramsey 75, Henry 90+1

Venue: Sunderland

11/02/2012

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Blackburn3-2QPR

Yakubu 14, N’Zonzi 23, Onuoha 45+5Mackie 71, 90+2

Venue: Blackburn

11/02/2012

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Swansea2-3Norwich

Graham 23, 87Holt 47, 63, Pilkington 51

Venue: Swansea

11/02/2012

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Everton2-0Chelsea

Pienaar 5, Stracqualursi 71

Venue: Liverpool

11/02/2012

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Fulham2-1Stoke

Pogrebnyak 16, Sørensen 28Shawcross 78

Venue: London

11/02/2012

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Man. United2-1Liverpool

Rooney 47, 50

Suárez 80

Venue: Manchester

English Premier League 2011/12

ClubsManchester United FC25582Manchester City FC24573Tottenham Hotspur FC25534Arsenal FC25435Chelsea FC25436Newcastle United FC25427Liverpool FC25398Norwich City FC25359Sunderland AFC253310Everton FC253311Swansea City AFC253012Fulham FC253013Stoke City FC253014Aston Villa FC242815West Bromwich Albion FC242616Queens Park Rangers FC252117Wolverhampton Wanderers FC242118Blackburn Rovers FC252119Bolton Wanderers FC252020Wigan Athletic FC2519 Member associations

• The Football Association
• The Football Association of Wales

Team profiles

• Blackburn Rovers FC
• Queens Park Rangers FC
• Bolton Wanderers FC
• Wigan Athletic FC
• Everton FC
• Chelsea FC
• Fulham FC
• Stoke City FC
• Manchester United FC
• Liverpool FC
• Sunderland AFC
• Arsenal FC
• Swansea City AFC
• Norwich City FC
• Tottenham Hotspur FC
• Newcastle United FC