Manchester United edge past Reading
Manchester United moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League after an extraordinary 4-3 victory at Reading on Saturday in which all seven goals arrived in the opening half.
Defensive manuals were ripped up as United trailed 1-0 and 3-2 but once again they showed their trademark resilience as two goals from Wayne Rooney, one from Anderson, and Robin van Persie’s 10th league strike of the season sealed the points.
Champions Manchester City needed a Carlos Tevez penalty to draw 1-1 at home to Everton -- their 37th home league match without defeat -- but they lost ground to their rivals in what is already looking like a two-horse title race.
Arsene Wenger was the target of jeers as his Arsenal side was humbled 2-0 by Swansea City. United have now conceded 21 league goals this season, managing just three clean sheets.
Their defensive fragility was exposed again by Reading, who took the lead after eight minutes through Hal Robson-Kanu.
Anderson equalised five minutes later after combining with Ashley Young before Jay Tabb bundled over Jonny Evans in the box and Rooney fired United ahead from the spot.
Two goals in four minutes from Adam Le Fondre and Sean Morrison put Reading 3-2 ahead after 23 minutes but Rooney turned in Patrice Evra’s cross to make it 3-3 before Van Persie kept his head to slot home what turned out to be the winner.
