JOIN USHernandez brace spurs United
After United drew a blank in the midweek 0-0 Champions League draw with Olympique Marseille, manager Alex Ferguson restored Mexican international Hernandez to the lineup alongside Wayne Rooney, with Dimitar Berbatov relegated to the bench.
On a day when the five sides below United were not playing, including second-placed Arsenal, who face Birmingham City in the League Cup final on Sunday, Hernandez justified his selection with his eighth and nine league goals of an impressive first season in English football.
Hernandez has started just eight of United’s 27 league games, with 10 more appearances from the bench. “We played really well in the second half and had some fantastic opportunities. We opened them up time and time again and could have scored more. But I’m happy with 4-0,” Ferguson told ‘MUTV’.
“We have a big week ahead and it’s a good start,” added the Scot, whose side play away at fifth-placed Chelsea on Tuesday and then travel to Anfield to play bitter rivals Liverpool next Sunday.
With 11 matches to play, United have 60 points. Arsenal are on 56 while third-placed Manchester City, who host Fulham on Sunday, are on 49.
Hernandez touched in Nani’s cross at the near post to give United the lead on 17 minutes and he slotted in his second 16 minutes from time after linking up with Rooney. The England striker then tapped in a third on 84 from substitute Berbatov’s pass and defender Fabio Da Silva got the fourth.
Wolverhampton Wanderers moved off the foot of the table and out of the bottom three by thrashing 10-man Blackpool 4-0 at Molineux. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake scored twice for Wolves, who made their extra man count after Blackpool’s leading scorer DJ Campbell was sent off just before halftime for raising his hands at Richard Stearman.
Victory for Wolves relegated West Ham United to bottom spot, although the London side could leapfrog Wigan if they can beat sixth-placed Liverpool at Upton Park on Sunday.
In other games, Jermaine Beckford scored twice to give Everton a much-needed 2-0 win at home to Sunderland and Ashley Young also netted two as Aston Villa won 4-1 at home to Blackburn Rovers, who had defender Ryan Nelsen sent off. Newcastle United and Bolton drew 1-1.
On Sunday, West Ham United climbed off the bottom of the League with an uplifting and well-deserved 3-1 home win over Liverpool on Sunday.
West Ham went ahead after 22 minutes with a superb goal by Scott Parker as the England midfielder played a one-two with Thomas Hitzlsperger before placing a shot beyond Pepe Reina. They doubled their lead at the end of the first half when Demba Ba headed in a Gary O’Neil cross.