Boss Relieved After Late Siege

Sir Alex Ferguson was predictably relieved after United survived a late Bolton onslaught to re-assume top spot in the Barclays Premier League.

Zat Knight's early own-goal and a fine finish from Antonio Valencia had the Reds cruising to the summit, following Chelsea's defeat at Aston Villa. However, Matt Taylor's late strike halved the arrears,and Gary Megson's side created further openings until the final minute of stoppage time.

"We made it hard for ourselves when we should've been well in front," Sir Alex told MUTV. "When Bolton scored late on, the last 10 minutes were nervous. We panicked at times but we got through it - just.

"Some of the football was very good. There was great speed to our game and we were a constant threat to them. It's a pity we didn't get our second goal earlier on, because we could have run up another good score.

When Bolton came into the game a little bit before half-time, we caught them on the break. That was a comfort zone for us - maybe too much because they were relaxed in terms of their play in the second half. We should have finished the game but didn't, and sometimes you can leave yourself regretting these things. But we got through it, and particularly with other results round about us today, it's a good day for us."

United have registered just three clean sheets in nine Premier League ties this term. While Matt Taylor's late header wasn't in the same hair-tearing league as sloppy concessions against Manchester City and Sunderland, Sir Alex wants his side to quickly arrest
the flow of goals against.

"I think in past years we've had runs of games without losing goals, which have been important in terms of winning the championship," he said. "We have to get back to that.

"Today's was a slack goal to lose; a soft header from the back post. We shouldn't be losing goals like that, but Bolton are a handful and you have to give them credit.

"I can't analyse the goal today in the same context as the Manchester City game, which were complete errors, or the second goal against Sunderland. These are bad errors."