EPL Review May 5 - Man U moves closer to title

Manchester United moved a step closer to the Barclays Premiership title after Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty gave them a 1-0 win over derby rivals Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium.

Manchester United 1  Manchester City 0

Chelsea must now beat Arsenal on Sunday to prevent United snatching their crown after the Portugal winger dusted himself down to slot home in the 34th minute following a foul by Michael Ball.  Darius Vassell had the chance to draw Stuart Pearce’s side level with 11 minutes remaining when referee Rob Styles adjudged Wes Brown to have brought down Ball, but Edwin van der Sar saved the striker’s spot-kick with his legs. 

West Ham 3  Bolton 1

Sammy Lee made a miserable start to his Bolton Wanderers reign after a Carlos Tevez-inspired West Ham United boosted their survival hopes with a 3-1 win at Upton Park.  First the Argentina international swung a stunning 10th-minute free-kick into the top corner after Abdoulaye Meite’s foul before doubling the advantage 12 minutes later, tapping in Luis Boa Morte’s cross from close range.  Tevez then turned creator in the 29th minute, crossing for Mark Noble who volleyed superbly past Trotters goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.  Lee’s newly appointed player-coach Gary Speed pulled one back in the 67th minute, latching onto Nicolas Anelka’s pass before steering the ball inside the right post from 12 yards.

Fulham 1  Liverpool 1

At Craven Cottage, Clint Dempsey all but ensured Fulham’s survival with the only goal against Champions League finalists Liverpool.  The United States midfielder scored the decisive goal after 69 minutes, firing past Jose Reina after a neat one-two with Liam Rosenior.

Wigan 0  Middlesbrough 1

At the JJB Stadium, though, Wigan Athletic’s survival hopes suffered a potentially fatal blow after Mark Viduka’s 29th-minute strike gave Middlesbrough a 1-0 win.  The Australia forward met Stewart Downing’s right-wing cross to poke home from six yards.

Newcastle 0  Blackburn 2

Benni McCarthy’s 22nd goal of the season kept Blackburn Rovers’ UEFA Cup hopes on track with a 2-0 win over Newcastle United at St James’ Park.  The South Africa striker beat the offside trap in the 14th minute to meet Stephen Warnock’s left-wing cross and score from close range.  Jason Roberts added his fifth goal in as many games in the 73rd minute.

Everton 3 Portsmouth 0

Everton moved fifth in the table after second-half goals from Mikel Arteta, Joseph Yobo and Gary Naysmith secured a 3-0 win over fellow European hopefuls Portsmouth.  Arteta’s penalty gave the Toffees a 59th-minute lead after James Vaughan had been brought down by Glen Johnson.  Three minutes later Yobo put David Moyes’ side two ahead with his first goal since December, heading home Manuel Fernandes’ floated corner from the right, before Naysmith rounded things off with an injury-time diving header.

Reading 2 Watford 0

Watford earned only their second away league win of the season, defeating Reading 2-0 at the Madejski Stadium.  The Royals defence misjudged Lee Williamson’s free-kick to leave Danny Shittu onside and unmarked at the back post for his first-ever Barclays Premiership goal.  Fit-again striker Marlon King scored his first goal since October to seal the win, converting Tommy Smith’s 85th-minute cross from six yards.