England round-up: Ruud sets scoring record

Two points clear
Van Nistelrooij struck from the penalty spot on 43 minutes but United had to dig deep to claim the three points after Craig Hignett drew Rovers level four minutes after the break. Roy Keane got the champions' winner in the 81st minute. United now have 45 points from 23 matches, two clear of second-placed Newcastle United FC who failed to break down Leicester City FC, the bottom club, in a goalless draw at Filbert Street.

Liverpool slump continues
Fifth-placed Liverpool FC's poor run continued as they were held 1-1 at home against Southampton FC. Michael Owen put the Merseysiders in front on eight minutes but a Kevin Davies goal just after the break - his first for 13 months - secured a point for the visitors. Liverpool, who led the Premiership table before Christmas, have now won just once in nine league matches.

Ipswich win
Ipswich Town FC climbed out of the bottom three with a 3-1 win at managerless Derby County FC. Derby sacked manager Colin Todd last Monday and whoever replaces him faces a tough task restoring morale. All the goals at Pride Park came in the second half of a match where both sides missed penalties, Ipswich's Marcus Stewart and Derby's Deon Burton the culprits. Marcus Bent and Sixto Peralta gave the visitors a two-goal lead with strikes on 47 and 67 minutes and although Malcolm Christie gave Derby hope with a 79th-minute effort, Martin Reuser made sure of Ipswich's win with a superb strike from distance five minutes from time.

Phillips equaliser
The day's three other matches all finished in 1-1 draws. A second-half Kevin Phillips goal gave Sunderland AFC a point at home to Fulham FC after French midfield player Steed Malbranque had given the visitors a deserved interval lead.

On the slide
Bo Hansen's fiercely struck 73rd-minute equaliser for Bolton Wanderers FC, meanwhile, cancelled out Middlesbrough FC's first-half opener through Noel Whelan and meant Boro slipped into the bottom three. Finally at White Hart Lane, Les Ferdinand gave Tottenham Hotspur FC a fourth-minute lead at home to Everton FC but a volley three minutes later from David Weir gave the visitors a point at a ground where they won last in 1985.