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Keane's 50th goal for Man Utd
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-06 09:01
Roy Keane has reached a personal milestone at Old Trafford as Manchester
United cut Chelsea's Premier League lead to eight points with a 2-0 defeat of
Birmingham City.
Cristiano Ronaldo set up United's inspirational skipper on Saturday for his
50th goal for the club early in the second half and Wayne Rooney's late lob
sealed an eighth win in nine league games.
Roy Keane (C)
celebrates after scoring his 50th goal for Manchester United putting them
2-0 up against Birmingham City during their football match in Manchester.
[AFP] | Champions Arsenal remain third, 10 points
off the pace, after they responded to their demoralising 4-2 defeat by United on
Tuesday with an impressive 3-1 victory at Aston Villa, scoring three times in
the first half hour.
Chelsea can restore their 11-point advantage at home to Manchester City on
Sunday.
United struggled to break down a stubborn Birmingham side and were fortunate
not to fall behind before the interval when on-loan Uruguayan striker Walter
Pandiani smashed a volley against the underside of the United crossbar.
Ronaldo's perfect lay-off handed Keane the chance to put Alex Ferguson's side
in front after 55 minutes and the Irishman drilled in his first goal since
November 2003.
Rooney then took his United goal tally to 12 since joining from Everton this
season to complete a great week for the club.
Arsenal reminded their critics of why they romped to last season's title
without losing a game as they ripped Villa to shreds in a one-sided first half.
CLINICAL FINISHING
Clinical finishing from Swedish midfielder Fredrik Ljungberg, France's
Thierry Henry - his 17th league goal of the season - and fullback Ashley Cole
killed the game inside the first 30 minutes.
Colombian striker Juan Pablo Angel gave the home side some respectability
with a second-half reply, although Arsenal could have scored more.
Liverpool kept up the pressure on fourth-placed neighbours Everton as Spanish
striker Fernando Morientes scored his second goal of the week in a 3-1 victory
over Fulham.
The Anfield club, chasing the fourth Champions League spot, are four points
behind Everton who are in action on Sunday against Southampton.
Middlesbrough are also handily placed for a shot at Europe after a 1-0 home
win against Blackburn Rovers, a game they ended with 10 men after Ray Parlour
was sent off.
Egyptian striker Mido scored twice on his debut to help Tottenham Hotspur
come from behind and beat Portsmouth 3-1. Robbie Keane was also on the
scoresheet as Spurs ended a run of three consecutive defeats.
Bottom club West Bromwich Albion twice led in the day's big relegation battle
against Norwich City at Carrow Road before goals from Craig Fleming, Gary
Doherty and a late effort by Damien Francis sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory for
the home side.
"I thought we outplayed Norwich, played some terrific football and created a
lot of chances -- but didn't take them," said West Brom boss Bryan Robson.
"It's not over though, there are still a lot of points to play for."
West Brom have 17 points and Southampton have 18. Norwich move to 20, two
points behind Crystal Palace who were beaten 1-0 at home by in-form Bolton
Wanderers, their seventh straight win.
Newcastle United's season of discontent continued with mediocre 1-1 draw at
home to Charlton Athletic. They are now 12th on 31 points.
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