United retake second place

Sunday, 26, Mar 2006 06:46

Wayne Rooney lifted Manchester United to second in the Premiership by securing a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Birmingham at Old Trafford, lifting.

Rooney, who had missed two easy chances early in the second half, managed to pull off a surgical right-foot strike from the penalty area with eight minutes remaining, taking the match towards its inevitable conclusion.

Earlier goals from Ryan Giggs in the third and 15th minutes had established United's superiority, which lasted virtually uncontested throughout the match.

Although powerful shots from Clemence and Jarosik were fumbled by Van der Saar soon after Rooney's strike, a scrambling Manchester United defence managed to clear the ball.

Birmingham's players responded to Giggs' early goals by upping their aggressiveness, resulting in three bookings for Martin Latka, Jiri Jarosik and Jermaine Pennant before the first-half whistle was blown.

Their defeat means they have failed in their bid to lift themselves out of the relegation zone.

Perhaps that was never a likely outcome, for their aggregate score at Old Trafford during their last seven games has now reached 15-0.

Manchester United, by contrast, have overtaken Liverpool in the Premiership table, trailing leaders Chelsea by 12 points.