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Manchester United end-year six points clear as Chelsea slip again

December 31, 2006
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By Ben James, dpa

London -- Manchester United will begin 2007 with a commanding six-point lead over Chelsea at the top of the English Premiership after they beat Reading 3-2 on Saturday while the champions slipped up for the second time in five days.

Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw by Fulham at Stamford Bridge, having been forced to settle for the same 2-2 scoreline on Tuesday against Reading.

Reading, who played the last quarter of Saturday's match with 10 men, caused United some late concerns as they reduced the deficit to 3-2.

But the home side, for whom Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to take his tally to six goals in three Christmas games, held on to move on to 53 points.

Ronaldo was the star of the game, crossed for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to put United ahead on 33 minutes but Ibrahima Sonko equalised for Reading five minutes later.

Ronaldo then restored United's lead on 59 minutes and finished off Ryan Giggs's cross to make it 3-1 (77).

Sam Sodje, on as a substitute, lasted nine minutes before he was sent off for a second booking. Reading refused to give in, though, and Leroy Lita pulled one back (90) but United held on for victory.

"We played well enough to win the game pretty confidently," United midfielder Michael Carrick said.

"We gave ourselves a little scare at the end but the Chelsea result also gives us a nice little lift."

Chelsea came from behind to lead Fulham 2-1 in the West London derby but Carlos Bocanegra equalised with six minutes to go and the champions had to settle for a point and a total 47.

For the second time in five days, Chelsea's defence, missing the injured John Terry again, was exposed and manager Jose Mourinho admitted they have some problems.

"They (the opposition) know we can't defend," Mourinho said.

"Because they know we can't defend they attack. When teams keep seeing us making mistakes they believe they can score goals. At the moment we are always in danger. We've conceded two goals four times in a row and it doesn't surprise me."

"When we concede goals, our self confidence suffers."

Bolton Wanderers recovered from a goal down to beat Portsmouth 3-2 and go third.

Matt Taylor put Portsmouth ahead but Abdoulaye Faye, Ivan Campo and Nicolas Anelka gave the home side a lead they never looked like losing, despite an excellent late strike from Andy Cole.

Liverpool moved back up to fourth place with a 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur, Luis Garcia scoring the only goal just before half-time.

Arsenal's outside hopes of the title took surely a fatal blow when they were beaten 1-0 by Sheffield United, while Everton saw off Newcastle United 3-0.

Manchester City won 1-0 at West Ham United while Charlton earned a vital win for new manager Alan Pardew as they edged out Aston Villa 2-1 thanks to a late winner from substitute Byran Hughes.

Blackburn Rovers, who beat Liverpool on Boxing Day, maintained their momentum with a 2-1 win over lowly Middlesbrough, while the match between Watford and Wigan Athletic was abandoned in the second half, with the score 1-1 at the time, because of a waterlogged pitch. // © 2006 DPA

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