Rooney atones for United

Ferguson's side move to within two points of table-topping Chelsea

Last updated: 28th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rooney atones for United

Rooney: Man on a mission

Man of the Match: Wayne Rooney was involved in all four goals. He scored one, produced a horrible mistake to help Hull equalise, and was then intensely motivated as he assisted two additional goals.

Moment of the Match: Rooney's reaction to his short back-pass in the build-up to Hull's equaliser. The England star was a man on a mission from that point.

Save of the Match: Hull's offside trap was found out on a couple of occasions and Boaz Myhill brilliantly denied Rafael Da Silva on one chance when one-on-one.

Talking Point: How impressive was Rooney's display? Is the Premier League title race a two-horse race between United and Chelsea? Can Hull escape relegation?

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Wayne Rooney was involved in every goal as he atoned for an error to inspire Manchester United to a 3-1 victory over Hull City in the Premier League at the KC Stadium.

The England star scored his club's first before playing a disastrous back-pass in the build-up to Craig Fagan's penalty-spot equaliser, but he then assisted an Andy Dawson own goal and Dimitar Berbatov's tap-in as United returned to second in the table.

A drab first half had been marked by an overall wastefulness from both teams, however, Rooney punished Hull on the stroke of the interval as he converted a Darren Fletcher cross for his 13th league goal of the season.

But Phil Brown's Tigers drew level in the 60th minute as Craig Fagan slotted a penalty following Rafael da Silva's push on Jozy Altidore, which came as a result of a woefully short back-pass from United's No.10.

Rooney was clearly motivated to make amends and his low cross forced Dawson to turn into his own net in the 73rd minute before Berbatov applied the finishing touch to a crafty 82nd minute pass to ensure Sir Alex Ferguson's side moved to within two points of Chelsea and back above Arsenal.

After last week's injury-influenced debacle at Fulham, United welcomed back a trio of defenders in Rafael, Wes Brown and Nemanja Vidic.

That gave United a much more familiar look as Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick returned to midfield roles while Ryan Giggs and Berbatov also came back the champions.

United started patiently but burst into life after five minutes as Antonio Valencia charged down the right.

The Ecuador international picked out Giggs with a well-flighted cross but the Welshman's volley dipped just over Boaz Myhill's bar.

Weathered the storm

Giggs was then inches away from scoring from a 16th minute free-kick after Rooney went down under a Kamil Zayatte challenge.

Hull weathered that storm and appealed for a penalty after making a rare break but Brown's challenge as Richard Garcia raced onto a Fagan ball was deemed fair.

Seyi Olofinjana tried his luck from long range for Hull but Tomasz Kuszczak was not troubled.

Rooney went close again for United as Hull waited in vain for an offside flag, forcing Myhill to palm over with a stinging shot.

Hull were unlucky not to take the lead after piecing together a brilliant move in the 28th minute.

Garcia began the attack with a weaving run before finding Fagan out wide. Fagan's perfect cross was met on the volley by Olofinjana on the six-yard line but Kuszczak saved to his right.

Hull survived a real scare when Myhill sliced a clearance but Giggs and Rooney were unable to take advantage of an unexpected opening.

The Tigers spurned another good opportunity as Olofinjana found Stephen Hunt on the left but the Irishman shot tamely across goal.

Rafael then beat the offside trap at the end of an intricate move on the edge of the Hull box but Myhill saved brilliantly from the Brazilian.

Pressure finally paid off as Hull failed to clear a Fletcher cross and Rooney tapped in from close range during two minutes of stoppage time.

Horrendous error

United were relieved but Rooney turned villain with a horrendous error just before the hour.

Rooney played Kuszczak into trouble with a weak back-pass and Fagan nipped in to win the ball.

Fagan's touch took it too wide to shoot but he turned and lofted in a cross for Altidore, who was bundled over by the backtracking Rafael.

Referee Alan Wiley, meeting with Ferguson for the first time since their infamous fall out, pointed to the spot and Fagan, taking over spot-kicking duties, stepped up to coolly slot an equaliser.

United almost reclaimed the lead moments later as Brown rose to meet a corner but Myhill clawed the ball away from under his bar as Rooney threatened.

Hull went close from their own corner as Garcia met a Hunt cross but his header flashed across goal.

Evra, booked in the first half, was fortunate to escape a second yellow card for holding back Fagan as Hull tried to launch another counter-attack.

Rooney then redeemed himself by forcing the own goal that put United back in front after 73 minutes.

Hull were caught as United broke from deep and Giggs put Rooney through. The angle was a tight one but Hull could not get back quickly enough and Rooney's cross was turned in by Dawson.

There was no way back for Hull and Berbatov finished the job eight minutes from time, although he owed much to Rooney.

The England man was allowed to stroll into the area from halfway as Hull reacted slowly to a long Vidic header and then picked out Berbatov at the far post with a measured ball. The Bulgarian had a simple task to slide home.

Hull showed spirit as Bernard Mendy and Fagan shot wide and their performance should offer encouragement for Tuesday's crunch clash at Bolton.

Hull CityTeam StatisticsManchester United
1Goals3
01st Half Goals1
4Shots on Target6
7Shots off Target10
3Blocked Shots4
5Corners7
14Fouls18
0Offsides1
0Yellow Cards2
0Red Cards0
66.8Passing Success73.1
16Tackles23
81.2Tackles Success87
40.7Possession59.3
47.1Territorial Advantage52.9

Comments (11)

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Liz Phillips (Manchester United fan) says...

I thought Wayne Rooney played like a lion in the closing minutes of the first half and throughout the second half especially after the ball he sent. He proceeded to dissect the Hull defence and was involved in almost all that happened, he deserved the man of the match.

Posted 22:15 27th December 2009

Lolu Ayo (Manchester United fan) says...

The funny thing is that Man Utd have probably been the unluckiest team in the premier league this season. We lost out star player, referee decisions are determining match outcomes in oppositions' favour and we have had the worst injury crisis the premier league has seen for a while....no first choice goalkeeper, only one defender availavle from the first team AND reserves (8 injured defenders!!!!), midflielders not available for selection, we're not playing supposedly "flashy, attractive, fluid" football.....and we're only 2 points from the top of the league!!!! I shudder to think of what will happen when this team hits top form with all first team members available.

Posted 21:36 27th December 2009

Dave Eastwood (Manchester United fan) says...

Big Problems at United this season. Totally agree with Obaid, we need more penetration. But we are still 2nd and playing rubbish, Fergie needs to swallow his pride and admit that Berbatov brings nothing to the table...forget all this nonsense about vision and being able to unlock the defence with one pass...Nonsense He is a lazy Primadonna who needs to make way for Owen to play consistently. Nani needs to do one too.

Posted 21:26 27th December 2009

Obaid Sangani (Manchester United fan) says...

As a man utd fan am a little worried bout the teams performaces of late, this ame was a perfect example of a one man team. If rooney play well then fine if not no other player is able to pick up the pieces. The midfeild is not creative and need get someone with the ability to create something out of nothing, either centrally or from the wings. The defencce too has a tendency to leak goals man utd need a lot of sorting if they r to retain the league this yr.

Posted 20:37 27th December 2009

Salman Choudhury (Manchester United fan) says...

Berbatov showed again how rubbish and lazy he is. Alex Ferguson has already realised how worthless Nani is, nw he should come to his senses about Berbatov!

Posted 20:27 27th December 2009

Paul James (Manchester United fan) says...

Its all well and good looking at rooneys performance and saying how well hes playing after facing Hull but against better opposition it won't happen. His distribution at the mo is awful along with others. If we dont improve we will win nothing!

Posted 20:08 27th December 2009

Max Bruffell says...

I'm not a manchester united fan but i would sort that defence out. United keep on conceeding single goals which in my opinion will cost them the title this year.

Posted 19:43 27th December 2009

Yang Den (Manchester United fan) says...

I love rooney. so i am happy when i see him playing good and man u win. well done my dear rooney..

Posted 19:42 27th December 2009

Jordan Lang says...

well done rooney best striker in the prem along side drogba&torres

Posted 18:50 27th December 2009

Paul Murray (Manchester United fan) says...

Rooney has once again proved just how good he is. Technique, Power, Pace, Movement, Strength, Work Rate and today he displayed his mental strength, unbelieveable

Posted 18:34 27th December 2009

Jordan Price (Manchester United fan) says...

i think without rooney man united would fall apart rooney is an inspiration to the whole team

Posted 18:23 27th December 2009
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