Scholes Sends United To Summit

Paul Scholes grabbed the winner to earn Manchester United a laboured win over strugglers Wolves and send his side back to the top of the Premier League.

The 35-year-old ran onto Nani's pass in the box, turned past Christophe Berra, and slid home the winner on 73 minutes.

Scholes's 100th Premier League goal spared the blushes of a United side clearly missing the cutting edge of the injured Wayne Rooney.

Wolves battled well but wasted several chances to put the pressure on United.

Sam Vokes wasted their best chance late on, firing over from close range, and Mick McCarthy must wonder where his side would be in the table if they could match their valiant approach play with a touch of composure in front of goal.

It meant another brave display from the hosts went unrewarded and they remain outside of the drop zone only on goal difference, while United will be hugely relieved to escape from Molineux with all three points.

They now leapfrog Chelsea at the top of the table and sit at the Premier League summit with a two-point cushion, albeit having played a game more the Blues.

This, though, was the most unconvincing of victories. But if the old adage about title-winning sides picking up victories when not at their best is true, it may well underline their title credentials.

Wolves were fined £25,000 the last time these two sides met because of McCarthy's controversial decision to field a weakened side.

But there will be no repeat this time around following a performance full of valour, intent and no little talent from a line-up that has been unchanged in four matches.

Kevin Doyle was the star turn as he performed well against Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand - the first time United's first-choice centre-back pairing had played together since October last year.

The Irishman had the first chance of note, dragging wide from inside the area, and was then heavily involved in a fine counter-attacking move on the half hour that ended with David Jones's shot being charged down bravely by Michael Carrick.

Neither of those were as gilt-edged as the chance that fell to Stephen Ward, though, the midfielder rising unmarked six yards out only to head Matt Jarvis's cross straight at United keeper Edwin van der Sar.

United, denied any room across the park by Wolves' hassle and harry, were desperately missing Rooney, unavailable after aggravating a knee injury on England duty in midweek.

Dimitar Berbatov, up front on his own, was at times sublime but at others ineffective, while Nani, Scholes and Darron Gibson were unthreatening.

The best the visitors managed before the break was when Gibson got an out-stretched foot onto Nani's deflected free-kick, but his effort dribbled wide.

Ferguson's side did at least up the tempo in the second half, and Patrice Evra almost forced the opener when he burst onto Gibson's pass, only to see his original effort blocked and the follow-up cleared by Kevin Foley.

Still, though, a lack of spark in the United ranks only added to Wolves' confidence levels and McCarthy's side continued to look the more likely to score.

That was until Scholes' intervention, with the veteran midfielder's neat finish rounding off 100 Premier League goals 16 years after his first.

After that, in truth, United could have had plenty more. Ji-Sung Park forced a good block running on to an excellent Berbatov pass, while Mame Diouf wasted two fine openings, heading a Gary Neville cross over at the back post and then dragging a shot wide on the counter-attack.


However, there was still time for a twist in the tale and Vokes almost provided it in injury time.

The substitute looked odds-on to score and snatch what would have been a vital point for the hosts when Ronald Zubar's prodded pass fell to him unmarked eight yards out with the goal gaping, but he somehow contrived to sweep the ball over the bar and leave McCarthy with his head in his hands.

It means Wolves, with only four home games to come from their remaining 10 matches, have it all to do to retain their Premier League status this season.

But United continue their charge for a fourth straight title, even if, on this evidence, they must be eagerly awaiting Rooney's return from injury.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy
"We played well but I'm sick of saying that. If we maintain those standards, I firmly believe our luck will change.

"Sam (Vokes) would expect to score that chance at the end, but it's the story of our season. There was a mistake at one end and a miss at the other.

"But we'll never give up, as long as there is breath in our bodies."

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson:
"We deserved the win, no question. They had an outstanding chance at the end but the lad didn't take it.

"Our form is good and we're managing without some players, which is important at this time of year.

"And we have players coming back - that was the first time that back four has played together for a year and a half."

Paul Scholes celebrates the strike that takes United back to the top of the table