Last-gasp Berbatov goal puts United top
Bolton's defence can only watch on as Dimitar Berbatov takes the three points for United
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Saturday, 17, Jan 2009 09:37
Manchester United have gone top of the Premier League table after a last-minute winner to beat Bolton Wanderers 1-0 at the Reebok Stadium.
Dimitar Berbatov headed in from six yards in the 90th minute, which sees United go above rivals Liverpool.
Playing their third game in six days, the reigning champions looked jaded in the opening 45 minutes in their bid to go top of the league for the first time this season.
Despite having less possession, it was the Trotters who carved out the first chance of the game on the half-hour mark when Fabrice Muamba held off a couple of challenges before firing in dipping effort from
25 yards that was tipped over by Edwin van der Sar.
Four minutes later, world player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo came close to breaking the deadlock when his downward header was palmed away by Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Jaaskelainen continued to foil United, with fine saves to keep out Ronaldo's free-kick before beating away Anderson's strike.
Ronaldo continued to be United's main threat in the second half with his free-kick parried by Jaaskelainen, while the Portuguese midfielder opted to square the ball to Dimitar Berbtatov minutes later instead of shooting with Bolton eventually clearing.
Sir Alex Ferguson then brought on veteran duo Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs in search of a spark.
Their possession was rewarded in the last minute when Carlos Tevez's pinpoint cross was headed in by an unmarked Berbatov for his ninth goal of the season.
And the visitors held on in stoppage time to go a point clear of Liverpool.