da betcris： Phil Jones scored his first goal for Manchester United to see off Aston Villa in the Midlands and stay within five points of neighbours City at the Premier League summit.
da dobrowin： The 19-year-old scored the only goal at Villa Park to give United a fourth 1-0 win in their last five games as they continue their recovery from October’s Derby day massacre. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side were in control for much of the game but were almost pegged back by James Collins late header which brought the best out of goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard. After seeing league leaders City beat Norwich earlier in the day to extend their lead to eight points the pressure was on the Red Devils to take home all three points and stay within touching distance of their rivals. Alex McLeish’s side had won only one of their last six games and their evening was soured further with on-loan midfielder Jermaine Jenas and goalkeeper Shay Given both having to go off injured. The away side also suffered an injury blow after Javier Hernandez was carried off with suspected knee ligament damage after catching his studs in the turf during the first half.
Despite that United dominated proceedings with their intelligent passing and blistering pace out wide proving too much for the hosts and it was no surprise when Jones opened the scoring on 20 minutes. The newly capped England defender showed that he is just as good in the opponents penalty area timing his run to perfection to meet Nani’s elegantly flighted cross to score his first goal for the club since his £18 million move from Blackburn in the summer. The visitors stepped up their dominance from then on with Given saving brilliantly from Nani’s header before Antonio Valencia saw his 35-yard strike sail over the cross bar. An insipid first half display from the hosts saw them booed off at half time and it proved to be the wake up call they needed as they started brightly after the break. Emile Heskey had an early chance to restore parity but could only head over from three yards out after Richard Dunne had flicked on a corner.
United were strolling with Villa’s lack of invention in the final third meaning Lindegaard, making his fifth appearance of the season, was rarely troubled. The Dane proved his concentration levels hadn’t dropped though with Collins’ header forcing him into a superb finger tip save 15 minutes from time. Wayne Rooney, without a goal since September, should have sealed victory with three minutes over but could only blaze over from close range. It didn’t matter though as Ferguson’s side secured all three points to move five points behind City one again going into the hectic festive period.
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