Story highlights
Manchester United heap pressure on rivals City with 2-0 win at Blackburn Rovers
Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young score late goals to move United five clear at top of league
In La Liga, Sevilla move up to eighth place after a 3-1 against Mallorca
Manchester United went five points clear at the top of the English Premier League on Monday after a 2-0 win away to Blackburn Rovers.
The reigning champions left it late to claim the three points as relegation-threatened Blackburn battled for vital points.
But when United’s goals arrived at Ewood Park, they came straight out of the top drawer with Antonio Valencia first on the score sheet.
The Ecuadorian winger’s swerving low drive from the right-hand edge of the penalty area evaded the grasp of Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson to give United the lead in the 81st minute.
Five minutes later, substitute Ashley Young produced a bit of magic to put the game beyond the home side.
With his back to goal, the England international quickly changed direction before curling a fierce drive into the bottom corner of Robinson’s net.
“It was a long night. We had to persevere and we got our rewards for it. We weren’t making clear-cut chances, we put in a lot of great crosses but didn’t finish them off,” United manager Alex Ferguson said.
“We had them under the cosh but they were dangerous on the break. The goals came so late, which typifies the history of the club.”
The result left Steve Kean’s Blackburn in the bottom three with 28 points – the same as 17th-placed Queens Park Rangers and 19th-placed Wigan in the 20-team division.
United can go eight points clear by beating QPR at Old Trafford in Sunday’s early kickoff.
A win would heap further pressure on title rivals Manchester City, who play third-placed Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium later that day.
Meanwhile in Spain’s La Liga, Sevilla moved up to eighth after a 3-1 win over Mallorca on Monday.
Three second-half goals from Negredo in the 51st minute, Manu 11 minutes later and finally Jesus Navas in the 68th minute capped a dominant display by the hosts.
Tomer Hemed pulled one back for the visitors in the 74th minute but Sevilla ran out comfortable winners to keep alive the prospect of European football next season.
