Double Parked United taste late success

Spurs brought back down to earth after defeat by Bolton

LONDON: Manchester United left it late to close the gap on leaders Chelsea as Park Ji-Sung’s late strike clinched a 2-1 win over the Wolves.United moved within two points of Chelsea thanks to Park’s heroics on a miserable day for United Owen Hagreaves, whose comeback from a long injury absence lasted less than six minutes.

Bolton blast Tottenham

Bolton brought Tottenham back down to earth after their Champions League heroics as the hosts beat Spurs 4-2. Kevin Davies fired Bolton ahead before Gretar Rafn Steinsson increased their lead. Davies added a third from the penalty spot and, although Alan Hutton and Roman Pavlyuchenko struck for Tottenham, Martin Petrov netted Bolton’s fourth.

Everton hold to Blackpool

Everton’s Seamus Coleman haunted Blackpool as he rescued a 2-2 draw.  Ian Holloway’s hosts went ahead as Neal Eardley celebrated after a superb free-kick. Everton levelled when Tim Cahill headed home a goal. David Vaughan’s deflected effort restored Blackpool’s lead in the 48th minute. But Coleman equalised two minutes later.

Hangeland’s denies Villa

Brede Hangeland bagged a last-gasp equaliser as the Cottagers rescued a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa who took the lead before half-time when Barry Bannan picked out Marc Albrighton who drilled a fine strike.

Blackburn stay safe

Blackburn climbed out of the relegation zone with a 2-1 win over Wigan. Sam Allardyce’s side struck through Morten Gamst Pedersen’s free-kick before Jason Roberts scored.

Sunderland’s Asamoah Gyan’s double-strike helped defeat Stoke 2-0. Birmingham piled on the misery for West Ham as Alex McLeish’s side battled back for a 2-2 draw. Gold was barred from the directors’ box after angering Birmingham supremo Carson Yeung.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th, 2010.