Mexican international Javier Hernandez’s eighth and ninth league goals in the 17th minute and 74th minutes helpeD Manchester United to a 13th successive win over Wigan, while Wayne Rooney and Fabio Da Silva were also on the scoresheet.
But it was 40-year-old Van der Sar’s heroics between the posts which sent United clear of nearest rivals Arsenal with 11 games remaining.
The former Netherlands goal-keeper marked his 250th United appearance by making a string of spectacular saves, with Victor Moses, Ben Watson and Maynor Figueroa all frustrated before Rooney sealed the win with United’s third goal.
Wigan had lost all their previous 12 encounters with United, conceding 37 times in the process. But they went into this game unbeaten in the previous three league outings including a morale-boosting 1-1 draw at Liverpool earlier.
Young double inspires Villa to thrash Rovers
Ashley Young gave a masterclass in front of Fabio Capello as the Aston Villa star’s double-strike helped seal a 4-1 victory over Blackburn.
Young has been in fine form since the turn of the year, revelling in his new role as a withdrawn striker behind £24m signing Darren Bent and he was simply too much for Blackburn to handle in front of England coach Capello at Villa Park. Young won and converted a penalty and added Villa’s final goal of an emphatic victory, as well as playing a part in Stewart Downing’s goal as Steve Kean’s side slipped closer to the relegation struggle with their third defeat in four games.
Three goals in 16 minutes destroyed Blackburn as Villa finally moved clear of the relegation zone.
Ten-man Toon battle to Bolton draw
Ten-man Newcastle held out to claim a 1-1 draw against Bolton at St James’ Park, a result which keeps both clubs in the hunt for a place in the Europa League.
The home team looked to be heading towards all three points when midfielder Kevin Nolan headed them into an early lead, but were pegged back by Wanderers forward Daniel Sturridge. The home team’s ambitions of winning the game were severely dented early in the second period when defender Ryan Taylor was sent off for a rash tackle.
Wolves out of drop zone
Wolves climbed out of the relegation zone as Mick McCarthy’s side demolished 10-man Blackpool 4-0 at Molineux.
McCarthy’s men started the day at the foot of the table but Jamie O’Hara enhanced his status as the new cult hero of Molineux with his second goal in two games after Matt Jarvis’s early strike. A late double from substitute Sylvan Ebanks-Blake completed Wolves’ biggest Premier League victory and, for only the second time in five months, the hosts are out of the bottom three.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th, 2011.
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