Super strike

By Chris,
February 22 2009

Manchester United opened up an eight point lead over the Scousers at the top of the Premier League table thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers. The Red Devils, who leaked their first goal in over 22 hours of league football, were made to work very hard by Rovers and on another day may have to have settled for a share of the spoils.

Ahead of Tuesday's trip to Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan, Sir Alex Ferguson fielded Tomasz Kuszczak between the sticks instead of Edwin van der Sar. Meanwhile, Jonny Evans came in for Nemanja Vidic - though the towering Serb is actually suspended for Tuesday's game.

United broke the deadlock mid-way through the opening-half with a typical passing move. Rio Ferdinand found Rafael down the right-flank, the young Brazilian storming down the flank before finding Nani. The winger turned and played a beautiful defence-splitting pass into the path of Wayne Rooney who slotted home neatly from just inside the six yard box.

Blackburn, who haven't come from behind to win a league game all season, responded positively and stunned Old Trafford with the equalising goal just nine minutes later. Roque Santa Cruz latched onto a superb Andre Ooijer pass, shook off Jonny Evans, rounded Kuszczak and guided the ball home. The Paraguayan struck some 22 hours and 14 minutes after United last conceded a Premier league goal - a Samir Nasri strike at Arsenal way back on November 8^th.

United thought they'd re-taken the lead just before the interval. Jonny Evans' headed home a corner, but the referee ruled the effort out after Ronaldo was adjudged to have pushed Ryan Nelsen. The Reds were starting to look frustrated and honours remained even at the interval.

Rovers continued to threaten and looked capable of snatching all three points - Nelsen hitting the post, with El-Hadji Diouf seeing his rebound saved by a shaky Kuszczak, whilst the visitors also had an effort cleared off the line. However, Sam Allardyce's men would be punished for wasting chances as Ronaldo fired the world champions back in front on the hour with a truly magnificent free-kick.

The winger, booked earlier for diving, caused controversy for lashing out at David Dunn only to avoid a second yellow card. But the headlines should be taken by his wonderstrike on the hour - Ronaldo powering the ball over the wall before it nearly the burst the top corner of Paul Robinson's net.

Rovers still threatened and will feel aggrieved not to have been awarded a late penalty after Morten Gamst Pedersen was tripped - but United clung on for a crucial three points to open up a whopping eight-point lead at the top of the table.

Full Time - Manchester United 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
Attendance - 75,000