register to 888sport
888sport time:

Results Based News

United comeback stuns Spurs

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 26/04/2009

Manchester United made it hard for themselves but roared back from two goals down to keep the betting pundits happy and maintain their pursuit of a third straight Premier League title following a 5-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Old Trafford was stunned as United were slow out of the blocks and found themselves two goals down to Darren Bent and Luka Modric at half-time.

But a generous penalty award by referee Howard Webb which Cristiano Ronaldo converted in the 57th minute was the catalyst for a stunning United fightback.

Wayne Rooney was outstanding and he scored twice - albeit his second coming off the unlucky Jonathan Woodgate - Ronaldo added the fourth and Dimitar Berbatov was also on the mark against his former club to complete the fightback.

Elsewhere, Liverpool kept up the pressure on United after easing to a 3-1 victory at relegation-threatened Hull City.

The Reds were without inspirational captain Steven Gerrard through injury but goals from Xabi Alonso and Dirk Kuyt (2) ensured that Rafa Benitez's side remain in the thick of the title race.

Geovanni's second-half reply for the Tigers was not enough and left Phil Brown's side anxiously looking over their shoulders in 17th place.

West Bromwich Albion live to fight another day after recording a surprise 3-0 win over Sunderland.

Goals from Jonas Olsson, Chris Brunt and Juan Carlos Menseguez ended an 11-game winless run and left the rock-bottom Baggies six points from safety with four games remaining.

Chelsea were 1-0 winners over West Ham United at Upton Park to further consolidate third spot with Salomon Kalou's second-half strike proving decisive.

Aston Villa took advantage of sixth-placed Everton losing 2-1 at home to Manchester City to move two points clear of the Merseysiders in fifth spot following a 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers.

Meanwhile, Erik Nevland's first-half strike kept Fulham's hopes of securing European football for next season alive following a 1-0 victory over Stoke City at Craven Cottage.

Wolves' 1-1 draw with Barnsley in the Championship ensured Mick McCarthy's already promoted side will be heading into the Premier League as league champions.

In Scotland, Rangers await the winners of Sunday's Dunfermline versus Falkirk semi-final in the Homecoming Scottish Cup following a simple 3-0 victory over St Mirren at Hampden Park.

In rugby union, Leicester Tigers secured top spot in the Guinness Premiership table and a home draw in the play-offs following a 73-3 rout of relegated Bristol.

Harlequins finished second in the table following Saturday's final round of fixtures as they were 31-12 winners over Newcastle Falcons.

London Irish sealed third spot after a 32-15 win at Worcester, while Bath claimed the fourth and final play-off berth following a 33-15 success over Saracens at the Rec.

In rugby league's Super League, Hull FC ended a run of six straight defeats by edging out Salford 18-14 at The Willows.

In cricket's County Championship, Warwickshire and Hampshire drew their first game of the season, while Durham began the defence of their title with a draw from the encounter with Yorkshire at the Riverside.

In Division Two, Derbyshire beat Surrey by five wickets at Derby, while the game between Middlesex and Glamorgan at Lord's ended in a draw.

West Indies trail Essex by 239 runs after day one of the tour match at Chelmsford.

England opener Alastair Cook scored 46 runs as Essex were all out for 263 in their first innings.

Deccan Chargers beat the Mumbai Indians by 12 runs in the Indian Premier League but rain ruined the drawn match between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders.

Ronnie O'Sullivan made a surprise exit from snooker's World Championship after losing a thrilling second-round encounter 13-11 to rising star Mark Allen.

Wales' Ryan Day is Allen's last-eight opponent following his 13-5 success over Nigel Bond.

Meanwhile, former champion Shaun Murphy will face Stephen Hendry in the quarter-finals following a crushing 13-3 second-round win over Marco Fu at The Crucible.

Hendry himself beat Ding Junhui of China by a 13-10 scoreline.

online betting