Lightning strikes twice as Macheda rescues United
Saturday, April 11, 2009
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All four of England's UEFA Champions League contenders won on Saturday, with Italian Federico Macheda, 17, again proving the hero for Manchester United FC as the leaders triumphed at Sunderland AFC.
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All four of England's UEFA Champions League contenders were victorious on Saturday, with 17-year-old Federico Macheda scoring the winner for Manchester United FC for the second time in a week.
Instant impact
Paul Scholes headed the Red Devils into a 19th-minute lead away to Sunderland AFC only for Kenwyne Jones to draw the hosts level ten minutes into the second half. With 15 minutes remaining at the Stadium of Light, Sir Alex Ferguson sent on Macheda – scorer of the decisive goal against Aston Villa FC last Sunday – for Dimitar Berbatov and seconds later the Italian diverted Michael Carrick's wayward shot past Craig Gordon.
Chelsea hang on
The victory lifted United back to the top, one point above a Liverpool FC side who have played a game more. The Reds had leapfrogged United earlier in the day by beating Blackburn Rovers FC 4-0 at Anfield thanks to two strikes from Fernando Torres, his tenth and eleventh league goals of the season, and one each from Daniel Agger and David Ngog. Chelsea FC remain three points behind Liverpool in third after a 4-3 victory against Bolton Wanderers FC, who were 4-0 down with 20 minutes remaining at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal FC consolidated fourth spot with a 4-1 win at Wigan Athletic FC.
Middlesbrough hope
At the bottom, Middlesbrough FC gave themselves hope of avoiding relegation by beating Hull City AFC 3-1 at home, just their second win in 20 league matches. The Teesside club are now two points adrift of fourth-bottom Sunderland and level with north-east neighbours Newcastle United FC, who drew 1-1 with Stoke City FC. Bottom side West Bromwich Albion FC drew 2-2 at Portsmouth FC while Tottenham Hotspur FC beat London rivals West Ham United FC 1-0.