Four Mindable Rooney Put United Top

Published on: 23rd January, 2010

Wayne Rooney scored a sensational four-goal salvo as Manchester United beat Hull 4-0 at Old Trafford to grab top spot in the Premier League. Rooney put the Red Devils one up after eight minutes when Hull keeper Boaz Myhill could only parry Paul Scholes’ long range effort.

He then made Hull pay with three late goals to see Sir Alex Ferguson’s side go two points above Arsenal and Chelsea at the top, although they have played two games more than the Blues.
After Nani’s free-kick was pushed on to the woodwork by keeper Boaz Myhill, United worked the ball to Rooney who smashed in a drive to make it 2-0.

A third, and his fourth, followed shortly afterwards following a cross by the excellent Nani before Rooney completed his massacre of Phil Brown’s men with a solo effort in stoppage time.

It will take more than one decent display to change the almost universal negative opinion of Nani but against Hull he always looked up and when an early ball was on, he generally played it.

It was Nani who played an excellent reverse pass through for Michael Owen’s best chance on only his fifth league start of the campaign, only for former Manchester United defender Paul McShane to divert it back to Boaz Myhill with a despairing tackle.
Home fans voiced their anger at United’s owners, frequently chanting “Glazers out” in protest at the scale of the club’s debt and their perception the Americans are preventing new signings.

Whether that is the case, there does appear to be a need for United to boost their firepower to ease the burden on Rooney.

Michael Owen’s finishing was well below the required standard, the former England man doing nothing to dismiss critics who suggest his best days are long gone.

The FA

Wigan Athletic just avoided a shock defeat at Notts County as Aston Villa and Fulham both battled past lower league opposition in the FA Cup fourth round.

Birmingham City hung on to beat Premier League rivals Everton as Owen Coyle celebrated his first victory as Bolton Wanderers.

Cardiff City came from behind to secure a last-gasp win at home to Leicester City and Derby County also left it late to beat Doncaster Rovers.

League Two side Notts County let a two-goal lead slip at home to Wigan following a pulsating 2-2 draw at Meadow Lane.

Goals from Lee Hughes and Ben Davies had the Magpies in command at half-time, but Wigan hit back in the second half through Jason Scotland and Ben Watson.

Fresh from reaching the Carling Cup final, Villa were made to sweat for a spot in the fifth round of the FA Cup after a 3-2 success at home to Brighton.

Brighton were level at half-time after Tommy Elphick had cancelled out Nathan Delfouneso’s early opener before Villa regained the lead early in the second period through Ashley Young.

Fabian Delph scored Villa’s third before the evergreen Nicky Forster provided the travelling contingent with a late cheer by netting Brighton’s second.

Accrington were another team level at the break against Premier League opposition before slipping to a 3-1 defeat at home to Fulham.

The in-demand Michael Symes had replied to Erik Nevland’s goal for Fulham before Accrington were reduced to 10 men just before the break after Darran Kempson was sent off.

Fulham forged ahead again through Damien Duff and Zoltan Gera made certain of the visitors’ place in the next round with a third goal 10 minutes from time.

Birmingham knocked out top-flight foes Everton as Alex McLeish’s side prevailed 2-1 at Goodison Park.

Christian Benitez and Barry Ferguson had the away side 2-0 up at the interval before Leon Osman pulled a goal back for the Toffees.

Second-half goals from Gretar Steinsson and Johan Elmander earned Coyle a first win as Bolton boss after a 2-0 triumph over Sheffield United at the Reebok Stadium.

Cardiff struck twice in the final minute to record a 4-2 win at home to Leicester, who had been leading with 20 minutes to go.

Chris Burke and Ross McCormack provided the late drama in South Wales as the 2008 finalists made it through to the last 16.

Jay McEveley struck an 88th minute winner as Championship strugglers Derby overcame Doncaster 1-0 at Pride Park.

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