Berbatov edges ten-man United five points clear
Saturday, March 19, 2011
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A late goal from substitute Dimitar Berbatov was responsible for Manchester United FC overcoming Bolton Wanderers FC and striding clear of Arsenal FC, who recovered from 2-0 down to draw.
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Dimitar Berbatov's 20th league goal of the season earned ten-man Manchester United FC a 1-0 home win against Bolton Wanderers FC and a five-point lead over Arsenal FC, who drew 2-2 at West Bromwich Albion FC.
A man down following the 76th-minute dismissal of Jonny Evans for a challenge on Stuart Holden, the leaders were indebted to Berbatov (88) being in the right place to punish Jussi Jääskeläinen's failure to hold a Nani shot.
Arsenal were trailing to strikes from Steven Reid and Peter Odemwingie, who punished an error from Manuel Almunia, when Andrey Arshavin (70) pulled one back. Robin van Persie's scrambled effort salvaged a draw for the Gunners, who have a game in hand on United.
Tottenham Hotspur FC's aspirations of a top-four finish suffered a blow with a 0-0 draw against West Ham United FC. The UEFA Champions League quarter-finalists, who hit the woodwork three times, stay fifth, two points behind Chelsea FC. The Blues host third-placed Manchester City FC on Sunday, when Sunderland AFC entertain Liverpool FC.
Stoke City FC, meanwhile, were 4-0 victors over Newcastle United FC and Blackburn Rovers FC also recovered a two-goal deficit in drawing 2-2 with Blackpool FC. Elsewhere, there were vital wins for lowly Wolverhampton Wanderers FC (1-0) and Wigan Athletic FC (2-1) against Aston Villa FC and Birmingham City FC respectively. Everton FC beat Fulham FC 2-1 in the late fixture.
