Blackburn 0-2 Man Utd ~ What News Today Here

Manchester United extended their lead over Manchester City on the top of the Premier League to 5 points as late goals from Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young gave them victory at Blackburn.

United struggled to make the breakthrough that might see them open up a potentially decisive gap over their rivals from around the city.

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Ferguson praises fantastic De Gea

But a hallmark late surge brought a win that ensures Sir Alex Fergusons side take an organization grip at the pursuit of the title with seven games to head.

Compared Rovers, who battled gallantly for therefore long and were denied by the athleticism of United keeper David de Gea within the first half, now drop back into the underside three because the scrap to flee relegation increases in intensity.

The visitors weren't at their best however the job was done and explosive finishes, first from the phenomenal Valencia and from substitute Young five minutes later, demonstrated the standard required at these defining moments of the season.

The reigning champions confirmed a record 19th title with a draw at Ewood Park last season - and the reaction from their supporters when referee Howard Webb brought matters to a conclusion suggested they suspect a hugely significant step have been taken towards number 20.

DID YOU UNDERSTAND-

Manchester United have now taken 31 points from a potential 33 since losing at Newcastle in January

United applied the early pressure with Javier Hernandez having early opportunities to make the breakthrough as Blackburn afforded the leaders an excessive amount of time and space.

The Mexican was off course after being picked out brilliantly by Wayne Rooney after which struck the woodwork on the near post from Valencias cross, with the hosts goalkeeper Paul Robinson clutching the rebound gratefully.

Rovers were sitting deep as United controlled possession, but broke out after 17 minutes and the harmful Junior Hoilett tested De Gea with a shot from 20 yards that the keeper clawed away.

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Man Utd Man City

QPR (h)	8 Apr	Arsenal (a)
Wigan (a)	11 Apr	West Brom (h)
Aston Villa (h)	15/14 Apr	Norwich (a)
Everton (h)	22 Apr	Wolves (a)
Man City (a)	30 Apr	Man Utd (h)
Swansea (h)	6 May	Newcastle (a)
Sunland (a)	13 May	QPR (h)

Valencias delivery was a continuing danger - and he was the provider again six minutes before the interval, just for Phil Jones to squander the possibility to strike against his former club by heading wastefully wide on the far post.

If United needed any warning that there has been still work to be done, the hosts provided it as De Gea was forced into two fines saves within the closing moments of the half.

The Spaniard all over again showed great reflexes to make a one-handed save from Marcus Olsson, then turn Grant Hanleys header over from the resulting corner.

It was Robinsons turn to excel after the break as he saved well from Rooneys free-kick and Rafael - but De Gea then enjoyed a moment of excellent fortune.

He fumbled Morten Gamst Pedersens free-kick, but there has been no home attacker handy to make the most.

Pedersen then had the ball inside the net but only after it had gone out of play before Steven Nzonzi was ready to get his cross in.

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Disappointed Kean takes positives

Ferguson had made two quickfire substitutions in an end Rovers resistance, with Danny Welbeck and Ryan Giggs replacing Hernandez and Jones.

And the deadlock was finally broken with nine minutes left as Valencia cut in from the precise before unleashing a convincing angled drive that went just about Robinson but carried an excessive amount of power for the previous England keeper to save lots of.

Rovers spirits sagged visibly and Young, on for Paul Scholes, settled the destination of the points with an excellent turn and precise finish from the sting of the world to go away United and their supporters celebrating on the final whistle.

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (3)

Blackburn Rovers

01 Robinson
03 Mn Olsson
16 Dann
18 Orr
31 Hanley Booked
12 Pedersen
15 Nzonzi
21 Ms Olsson
35 Lowe
23 Hoilett
24 Yakubu

Substitutes

span id='player-id-231150'> 13 Bunn

39 Henley

08 Dunn

10 Formica

14 Petrovic

09 Modeste

20 Rochina

Manchester United

01 De Gea
03 Evra
04 Jones (Giggs - 63' )
05 Ferdinand
06 Evans
21 Rafael
16 Carrick
22 Scholes (Young - 79' )
25 Valencia Booked
10 Rooney
14 Hernandez (Welbeck - 61' )

Substitutes

40 Amos
12 Smalling
11 Giggs
13 Park Ji-sung
18 Young
42 Pogba
19 Welbeck

Ref: H Webb

Att: 26,532

Match Stats

Possession

30 70

Shots

11 14

Heading in the right direction

6 6

Corners

2 10

Fouls

8 5

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:18

The referee blows for the top of the match.

86:17

Marcus Olsson delivers the ball, Morten Gamst Pedersen produces a left-footed shot from the brink of the realm and misses to the left of the goal.

85:01

Antonio Valencia provided the assist for the goal.

85:01 Goal scored

Goal - Ashley Young - Blackburn 0 - 2 Man Utd Ashley Young grabs a goal from just outside the box to the lowest right corner of the goal. Blackburn 0-2 Man Utd.

80:48

Rafael Da Silva provided the assist for the goal.

80:48 Goal scored

Goal - Antonio Valencia - Blackburn 0 - 1 Man Utd Antonio Valencia finds the back of the internet with a goal from the sting of the penalty area to the lowest left corner of the goal. Blackburn 0-1 Man Utd.

80:30

The ball is shipped over by Ryan Giggs, Grant Hanley makes a clearance.

79:53

The ball is distributed over by Rafael Da Silva, Grant Hanley manages to make a clearance.

79:22

Shot from close range by Ayegbeni Yakubu misses to the left of the objective.

78:44 Substitution

Substitution Ashley Young replaces Paul Scholes.