Manchester United kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City as Ashley Young’s superb double inspired a 3-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
On the day Andre Villas-Boas was sacked by Chelsea, Sir Alex Ferguson’s second-placed side moved to within two points of table-topping City after a ruthless display of finishing at White Hart Lane.
United survived a strong showing from Spurs in the first half and took the lead through Wayne Rooney’s header just before the break.
Young bagged the second with a powerful volley from a tight angle and then put the result beyond doubt with a stunning curling effort from outside the area.
Jermain Defoe reduced the deficit late on, but third-placed Spurs have now lost their last two league games and are just four points ahead of resurgent Arsenal.
Spurs, without the ill Gareth Bale, injured Rafael van der Vaart and suspended Scott Parker, were denied a first-half opener when Emmanuel Adebayor’s close-range effort was disallowed for a handball by the Togo striker.
United took full advantage of that let-off to take the lead themselves as Rooney got in front of Kyle Walker to head in Young’s corner on the stroke of half-time.
Young got the second in the 60th minute as he lashed in a volley after Walker failed to clear Nani’s cross and the England winger struck again nine minutes later, bending a fine finish past Brad Friedel as the Spurs defence backed off.
Defoe pounced on a wayward Ryan Giggs pass to lash home for the hosts in the 87th minute, but it was no consolation for Harry Redknapp’s side.
In the day’s other games, Newcastle United drew 1-1 with local rivals Sunderland and Fulham routed struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers 5-0.
Shola Ameobi pounced from close range to deny 10-man Sunderland a first win at St James’ Park for more than 11 years and extend his remarkable scoring record in the Tyne-Wear derby.
The 30-year-old forward’s seventh career goal against the Black Cats earned a share of the spoils after Nicklas Bendtner’s first-half penalty opened the scoring for Sunderland.
Martin O’Neill’s side negotiated the last half hour a man down after Stephane Sessegnon earned a straight red card for elbowing Cheick Tiote as the pair tussled for possession, though any contact looked light.
Alan Pardew’s team remain sixth in the league, five points clear of Liverpool in seventh but having missed an opportunity to draw level with fifth-placed Chelsea.
At Craven Cottage, Russian striker Pavel Pogrebnyak hit a hat-trick as Fulham piled on the misery for struggling Wolves.
After scoring in his previous two appearances, Pogrebnyak tore into the Wolves defence with two first-half goals and completed his treble after the break.
Clint Dempsey added a second-half double to ensure Wolves were sent home in utter despair after a run of just one win in 13 league games dropped them into the relegation zone, below Blackburn on goal difference.
Swampy
Guest
Not sure I'd say United crushed Spurs? First goal well against the run of play. I'd prefer to say united's clinical finishing settled this one. Loved Jol when he was at Spurs, glad to have his surly dry wit back - and the man can coach in the EPL. United through a tough run and just sticking around like a bad smell. Pity they didn't hire AVB - my sky blues would be booking the open top bus parade already... Gotta respect what that old Scottish .... can do with a rag tag squad of hacks, infidels and geriatrics. He is worth 10,000 managers with skinny ties and manicured stubble. Bring on 29/4/12. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Stoffy18
Roar Guru
First time Fulham has won three in a row since the "great escape in 2008" where they won their last three matches to somehow avoid relegation. Kudos to Jol for great player management and congrats to Pog on a fine start!