Wayne Rooney and Manchester United delivered a probable knockout blow to Tottenham Hotspur’s hopes of finishing in the Barclays Premier League’s top four with a comfortable 3-0 win at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils were in front after eight minutes after Michael Carrick’s pass found Marouane Fellaini and the Belgian drilled low across goal into the corner.
Carrick doubled the lead ten minutes later with a well-placed header into the far corner after Nacer Chadli had only been able to direct Fellaini’s header to the United No.16.
Rooney made it three in the 34th minute after he pounced on Nabil Bentaleb’s weak pass and drove past the Spurs defence before finishing low past Hugo Lloris.
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It led to an impromptu and topical goal celebration.
A national newspaper had posted a video on social media Sunday which appeared to show Rooney being felled by fellow BPL player and former teammate Phil Bardsley as both donned boxing gloves for a “friendly” fight in his kitchen.
After he had converted following a mistake by Bentaleb, Rooney threw a few mock punches then keeled over backwards on to the Old Trafford turf.
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Three points mean that fourth-placed United have more points at home than anyone else this season. Spurs drop six points behind the top four.
Chelsea extended their lead atop the BPL table to six points but failed to fully capitalise on Manchester City’s loss to Burnley after being held by Southampton for the second time this season.
The Blues, looking to shake off Wednesday’s Champions League disappointment against PSG of France, enjoyed the perfect start; Branislav Ivanovic crossing for Diego Costa to head home the opener.
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But the lead proved to be short-lived.
Nemanja Matic was adjudged to have brought down Sadio Mane inside the penalty area, allowing Dusan Tadic to score from the spot.
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