Paul Scholes' 100th Premier League goal helped Manchester United to edge out Wolves 1-0 at Molineux.
Red Devils escape the Wolves' den with three hard-earned points
Paul Scholes' 100th Premier League goal helped Manchester United to edge out Wolves 1-0 during a tricky trip to Molineux.
The Red Devils, who were forced to cope without talismanic frontman Wayne Rooney, toiled for long periods in the Midlands, but eventually forced the breakthrough and now sit two points clear at the top of the table.
A cagey first half took a while to ignite, with chances few and far between.
Kevin Doyle saw an early effort drift narrowly wide and Antonio Valencia flashed a crashing drive past the post, but neither goalkeeper was tested.
Most of the openings which did materialise seemed to fall to Darron Gibson, with the United midfielder going close on three occasions.
Wolves, though, offered more attacking endeavour as the game wore on and carved open two fantastic chances shortly after the half-hour mark.
The first, David Jones scuffed tamely into the grateful arms of Edwin van der Sar, via a deflection, and the second, Stephen Ward nodded straight at the giant Dutchman when left unmarked six yards from goal.
United, perhaps invigorated by the famed Sir Alex Ferguson hairdryer treatment at the interval, were much better after the break and began to look more like reigning champions.
Patrice Evra forced Marcus Hahnemann into a smart save following a trademark burst down the left, before Scholes broke the deadlock after 72 minutes.
Jody Craddock could only half clear a low cross from the right and the former England international was composed enough to take a touch before drilling into the bottom corner.
Sam Vokes spurned a glorious opportunity to snatch a point for Wolves in stoppage-time when he somehow lifted the ball over the crossbar from close range.
Isolated
This was a chance for United to prove that they could cope without Rooney, as he did not even make the bench, especially as his manager rates his talisman 'a big doubt' to face AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
Instead, their efforts merely confirmed the belief that they rely too heavily on the England hit-man.
Isolated up front, Dimitar Berbatov failed to get involved as Rooney would have done. After a three-match ban, Nani appeared to have regressed to his maddening form of old and Valencia was little better on the other side.
Gibson was the only United player to threaten the Wolves goal and the Irishman's efforts were more typical of a tourist at a seaside shooting gallery, peppering his shots everywhere without getting close to winning a prize.
Gibson's best effort was the shot he prodded wide after a poor Nani free-kick had bounced into his path off Berbatov.
It was Wolves, though, who carried the greater threat.
Having angered the Premier League with his team selection at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture last December, there was never a chance of Mick McCarthy leaving players out this time. And why would he?
Forceful
United might have been aiming for top spot, but they have hardly been convincing this term and on their previous visits to newly-promoted clubs were beaten at Burnley and only drew at Birmingham.
Former Red Devil Jones was set up by Matt Jarvis following a forceful run from the excellent Doyle and might have tested Van der Sar had it not been for Michael Carrick's saving tackle.
Ward had the golden opportunity though.
Jarvis was again the provider, after darting down the right on the overlap. His deep cross found Ward completely unmarked and he only had to beat Van der Sar to score, but he nodded tamely straight at the veteran keeper.
The introduction of Gary Neville at the break might not have been an obvious attacking move, but the experienced full-back helped his side get a measure of control for the first time.
Evra and Carrick both had chances and Craddock also needed to act fast to rob Berbatov after Wolves had got their offside trap all wrong as they attempted to defend a Carrick cross.
Ferguson was then deeply unhappy at Nani being flattened by Craddock as he raced forward trying to support Valencia, who had galloped down the wing.
It was not entirely a one-sided contest. Jarvis flashed a shot wide after cutting in from the left flank and Nemanja Vidic was booked for chopping down Karl Henry.
But United were the ones on top, their efforts just emphasising the guile they were missing in Rooney.
Invention
In Scholes though, they have a player who will be remembered years from now, for both invention and goals.
Finding the net has proved a problem in recent seasons for the midfielder. This year, though, there have been signs of that old instinct returning.
And when Craddock drilled Nani's low cross straight to the former England man he had the common sense not to rush, instead nipping past the defender's desperate lunge before drilling his shot into the far corner.
It brought up his century of Premier League goals and his 148th overall for United.
Far more importantly, it left them staring down at their rivals from that familiar position at the Premier League summit.
Mame Biram Diouf could not add to the lead when he failed to find the target with a free header, while Vokes' late sitter is likely to cause him nightmares heading into a basement battle.
But United have flexed their muscles, even if Rooney will be needed to land the winning punches, and lead the way once more.
| Wolverhampton Wanderers |
Team Statistics |
Manchester United |
| 0 |
Goals |
1 |
| 0 |
1st Half Goals |
0 |
| 2 |
Shots on Target |
4 |
| 7 |
Shots off Target |
10 |
| 5 |
Blocked Shots |
2 |
| 2 |
Corners |
4 |
| 10 |
Fouls |
8 |
| 0 |
Offsides |
1 |
| 2 |
Yellow Cards |
1 |
| 0 |
Red Cards |
0 |
| 71.8 |
Passing Success |
73.3 |
| 19 |
Tackles |
25 |
| 68.4 |
Tackles Success |
68 |
| 45.2 |
Possession |
54.8 |
| 52.4 |
Territorial Advantage |
47.6 |
|
