Man Utd open five point gap

Updated 18.21 Sat Apr 28 2007
Keywords: Premiership, O'Shea, Rooney, Manchester United, Man Utd, Chelsea, Bolton, Everton

Manchester United stormed back from two goals down to beat Everton 4-2 and open up a five-point lead in the Premiership as rivals Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw by Bolton.

With only three games left, United have one hand on the trophy after striker Wayne Rooney scored United's vital third goal against his old club in the 78th minute at Goodison Park.

With only three games left, United have one hand on the trophy after striker Wayne Rooney scored United's vital third goal against his old club in the 78th minute at Goodison Park

Victory was wrapped up by a fourth in stoppage time from youngster Chris Eagles.

It meant that United, who travel to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on May 9, have 85 points to the champions' 80.

Title fortunes swung one way and then the other on a thrilling afternoon with Chelsea at one stage level on points with United as Alex Ferguson's men trailed on Merseyside and Chelsea led in west London.

The biggest drama was at Everton, who were 2-0 up with a deflected free kick by Alan Stubbs after 11 minutes and a superb shot by Manuel Fernandes just after the re-start before the hosts committed two costly blunders.

Keeper Iain Turner dropped the ball after an easy catch, allowing United's John O'Shea to rifle home in the 61st minute, and former United defender Phil Neville struck an attempted clearance into his own net seven minutes later.

Rooney, still unpopular with some Everton fans after he left for United in 2004, got the potentially title-winning goal after riding one tackle and then steering a shot into the right-hand corner.

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