Man United beat Tottenham 3-0

Manchester:

Manchester United ended a run of bad results with a morale-boosting 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League at Old Trafford on Saturday. The defending champions looked set to scrape home thanks to a Ryan Giggs first half effort, but United scored twice in the final minute through substitutes Cristiano Ronaldo and David Bellion. Spurs' atrocious record at Old Trafford continued. They have now lost there on their last nine visits. Manchester United were looking for a victory against Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League at Old Trafford on Saturday in an attempt to reassure their fans that matters were back to normal. The English champions had won only two of their last eight league matches, a record that has seen them slip 12 points behind leaders Arsenal and all but out of the title race. United, who suffered two major blows in the space of five days last week, being knocked out of the Champions League by Porto and then losing 4-1 to Manchester City, created the first chance when Ruud van Nistelrooy's powerful volley dipped just over the bar. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who was highly critical of his side's defence, saw them tested by Ledley King. The latest England international, watched by his coach Sven Goran Eriksson, cracked a swirling shot from the edge of the area which went wide. Chances were few and far between in the blustery conditions, but a piece of quality football led to the opening goal. United, who were seeking a third successive 'double' over the Londoners, a sixth over them in the Premier League and 13th since League hostilities began in 1909, broke the deadlock on 30 minutes. Welsh international Ryan Giggs, with an impudent back heel, turned in a cross by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and United had the lead. Tottenham caretaker manager David Pleat, whose main problem has been the failure of his side to score on their League travels, saw them struggle in the second half as Spurs goalkeeper Kasey Keller made a number of fine saves. After denying Giggs seven minutes after the break, the American tipped over a fierce drive by Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan. Spurs, who hit form at the outset of the calendar year with six wins in nine top flight matches, succumbed to constant United pressure and conceded twice in the dying minutes. Substitute Ronaldo secured the points in the 89th minute. The Portugal international was unchallenged as he ran from deep and let fly from 25 metres. With the game in stoppage time, another substitute, David Bellion, took Giggs' pass in his stride and completed a 3-0 win for the champions as Tottenham's misery at Old Trafford continued. (AP)