United claim top spot with Rovers win
Sir Alex Ferguson's side back with a win after their midweek upset at Roots Hall
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Saturday, 11, Nov 2006 08:00
Manchester United responded to the challenge laid down by Premiership title rivals Chelsea with a 1-0 win away to Blackburn Rovers.
The Blues win over Watford earlier in the day had drawn them level on points with Sir Alex Ferguson's men, but a 64th-minute strike from Louis Saha ensured that a clear lead was restored by the evening.
In notching up their sixth consecutive league win the Red Devils were again on razor-sharp attacking form.
But their first opportunity had more to do with Blackburn errors as goalkeeper Brad Friedel topped a clearance straight to Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese winger lost his footing as he tried to power the ball back past the American stopper, but it was not long before he was creating more chances for the visitors.
A precise cross from the skilful wideman was worthy of a goal but Wayne Rooney somehow failed to apply the final touch when an opener seemed inevitable on 32 minutes.
The England striker fluffed another apparently-regulation chance just before half-time when Friedel pushed a Saha shot into his path but the former Everton starlet's attempt squirted wide.
Zurab Khizanishvili's glancing header four minutes into the second period flew narrowly wide in one of the few attempts that Mark Hughes saw his team muster against his old club the entire match.
Eventually the goal came as Ryan Giggs returned John O'Shea's cross and Saha was on hand to convert.
Benni McCarthy could have delivered an unjust point for the hosts when Tugay's sliced shot fell invitingly for him three minutes from time, but Edwin van der Sar saved with his legs as United put the pressure back on their west London foes.