Berbatov Heads Man. United To The Top

Dimitar Berbatov's late winner sent champions Manchester United to the top of the Premier League table for the first time this season.

Berbatov headed home from close range after a fine cross from Carlos Tevez on the right in the 90th minute just as the game was heading towards a draw.

For the preceding 89 minutes United had been thwarted by Jussi Jaaskelainen.

The Bolton keeper saved superbly from two Cristiano Ronaldo free-kicks and also a header from the United winger.

United's win saw them equal Chelsea's record, set in 2004-05, of 10 consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League, as they bid for a third consecutive title.

Long-time leaders Liverpool will now have to beat Everton in Monday's Merseyside derby to return to the top, though Sir Alex Ferguson's side will then have a game in hand.

United were missing the injured Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra but were boosted by Tevez and Jonny Evans both passing late fitness tests.

In the opening exchanges United dominated possession, while Bolton relied on set-pieces and long balls to trouble the visitors but found Nemanja Vidic and Evans in fine form.

Bolton started with new loan signing Ariza Makukula up front and his physical presence troubled United in the air.

Fabrice Muamba also provided muscle in midfield and he saw a long-range effort tipped over the bar by Edwin Van der Sar.

It took until the 35th minute for the first real chance of the game when Ronaldo's header was beaten out by Jaaskelainen.

The Bolton keeper was called into action twice again before half-time, first superbly stopping Ronaldo's fierce, low 20-yard free-kick and then routinely keeping out Anderson's long-range effort.

If Ronaldo troubled Bolton with his free-kicks, he was less assured with his final pass, while Tevez struggled to hold on to the ball up front.

Anderson and Michael Carrick were also erratic with their distribution and in truth United lacked the guile that Rooney, who was missing with a hamstring injury, provides.

Ronaldo again went close with a free-kick while Bolton offered very little, seemingly content to settle for a vital point.

With 17 minutes remaining Ferguson called for the cavalry and Ryan Giggs, making his 550th league appearance, and Paul Scholes entered the fray.

The veteran duo sparked United into life as they went in search of the vital goal.

Tevez went close with a header while Ronaldo also saw another powerful free-kick kept out by Jaaskelainen.

Just as it looked as if the game would end goalless, Tevez escaped the attention of two defenders before crossing for Berbatov, six yards out, to head powerfully past Jaaskelainen to win the game for United.

Bolton manager Gary Megson:
"Our part in that goal was particularly poor.

"I put three centre-halves in there at the end because we were out on our feet. It looked as though we would get something but it hasn't happened.

"I don't know if this result was ominous for the rest of the league but if anyone finishes above United, they will win it.

"They usually come good in the second half of the season but if you look at what Chelsea have done, they will be equally delighted. That is what good teams do."

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Andrew O'Brien, Samuel, Davies, Basham, Muamba, Gardner (Puygrenier 83), Taylor, Makukula (Obadeyi 64).

Subs Not Used: Bogdan, Smolarek, Riga, Shittu, Sinclair.

Booked: Makukula.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Fletcher (Giggs 69), Carrick, Anderson (Scholes 69), Ronaldo, Tevez, Berbatov.

Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Park, Nani, Welbeck, Chester.

Booked: O'Shea.

Goals: Berbatov 90.

Att: 26,021

Ref: Andre Marriner (England).

Berbatov heading the vital winning goal that sends Man. United to the top of the Premier League