Five great Manchester United vs Tottenham matches - the fixture that’s always full of goals

In what is arguably the game of the weekend, Manchester United - unbeaten in the Premier League thus far - welcome Tottenham to Old Trafford, in the evening kick-off on Saturday. Matches between these sides have mustered some of the most exciting games in Premier League history, from incredible comebacks to last-minute equalisers, to thumping victories - this is a contest which has rarely disappointed.

Premier League title-chasing United were given a New Year's Day to forget after they were thumped by a Chris Armstrong-inspired Spurs. Armstrong ran Ferguson's side ragged in the most impressive performance of his career. Future United player Teddy Sheringham opened the scoring before Andy Cole equalised a minute later.

Sol Campbell put Spurs back ahead, before a brace from the former Crystal Palace man ensured Alex Ferguson (in the days before he was a knight) and his team travelled back up north with their tails between their legs.The hosts were the better team for all of the contest except stoppage time, when the Argentine bundled home a corner. United had looked clueless before that moment and fell behind to a close-range strike from Dimitar Berbatov, who would become United's club record signing the following summer. With Chelsea and Arsenal right behind them in the title race, Tevez's goal ensured a valuable point went United's way.Andy Cole's delicate lob kept United's treble dream alive as his strike sealed the Premier League title.

With Arsenal in hot pursuit, Ferguson's side needed to beat Spurs in the last league game of the season to finish top. After falling behind to a Les Ferdinand goal, United struck back before half-time through David Beckham.

In no mood to see the trophy end up with the Gunners, Cole's expert finish over Ian Walker's head began the most dramatic 10 days in the club's history, which would also bring FA Cup and Champions League glory.A neck-and-neck Premier League title race swung in United's favour after some suspect refereeing saw them snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Harry Redknapp's side grabbed a 2-0 lead at Old Trafford after some shaky defending let in Darren Bent and Luka Modric. With Liverpool close behind them in the table, it took an incorrect penalty call from Howard Webb to spark United in to life.

Cristiano Ronaldo was on hand to score the equaliser and celebrated the third by tearing his shirt off to send a message to Rafa Benitez that the trophy was staying in Manchester. Wayne Rooney and Berbatov, now sporting the red of United, completed the sensational turnaround.Arguably one of the most thrilling Premier League game of the decade saw United race back from 3-0 down at half-time to clinch the win.

Spurs debutant Dean Richards opened the scoring with a header from a corner as the hosts dominated proceedings. Gustavo Poyet then pulled the strings to expert effect to set-up Les Ferdinand and Christian Ziege.

Sir Alex Ferguson's hair dryer was at its most powerful at half-time to inspire his players to score five unanswered goals. New boy Juan Sebastian Veron drilled in the fourth before a fabulous team move saw David Beckham strike the fifth.

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Wayne Rooney's new Manchester United pay deal highlights his silky skills

He's got his weekly wages up from £90,000 to £160,000 – all for the price of a few weeks abuse from Man U's fickle fans. Rooney knew that, with his contract running down, he could have bought himself out for £5m next summer. So what better time than now to make a public fuss?

Man U had no option but to offer him a new contract or watch their prize asset walk out of Old Trafford for a song. So he's offered the club a win-win. He gets more money. It gets a juicy transfer fee whenever he leaves. With skills like that, Wazza clearly has a career after football. He could swap heading for headhunting.

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Wayne Rooney's Manchester United future: the best quotes of the week

"I met with David Gill last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad. I then told him that I would not be signing a new contract."
Wayne Rooney starts the ball rolling on Wednesday ...

... as Sir Alex Ferguson responds
"I couldn't believe it. I just was dumbfounded. I could not understand it because only months before he was saying he was at the greatest club in the world and he wanted to stay for life." "I believe he is going to stay. But if at the end of day Manchester United decides that he is to leave, give me a call.

Jose Mourinho, Real Madrid coach

"Players have opinions and if they want to leave then good luck to them. Man Utd will more than survive. If I could say one thing to Wayne, who is a good lad, I would say 'look after yourself'. Players are likes pieces of meat."
Roy Keane, Ipswich coach

"He's very, very interested, yeah, so watch this space. Or listen to this space, depends on how it's going, but I sold Perth to him and told him what a lovely place it is."
Perth Glory's Robbie Fowler jests that Rooney is on the move

... as Perth coach Ian Ferguson continues the joke
"I just want to announce our new signing here. We just got him for 45 trillion," said Ferguson, wearing a Rooney mask at their Friday press conference.

"If Alex Ferguson is being bullied by a player and his agent, how wrong is the game? When are you (FIFA and UEFA) going to listen to the people who are involved in the game?"
Ian Holloway, Blackpool coach

"Rooney is a good player, and is like Carlos Tévez for us. If they lose him for next year, they will lose an important player."
Roberto Mancini, Manchester City coach

"We've got a great squad of players and he would add to that and strengthen the squad. He is the best player in the world for me."
John Terry, Chelsea captain
"If one player in the team doesn't trust the others he should not play in the team."

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Wayne Rooney reveals why he wants to leave Manchester United

One day after Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed Rooney had vowed not to sign a new contract, the 24-year-old superstar broke his silence by claiming his move was not motivated by money. In a statement released before Manchester United's Champions League tie with Bursaspor, Rooney said he was leaving after failing to win assurances from the club that they would continue to be able to invest in elite talent.

"It is absolutely true that my agent and I have had a number of meetings with the club about a new contract," Rooney said. "During those meetings in August I asked for assurances about the continued ability of the club to attract the top players in the world."

"I met with (Manchester United chief executive) David Gill last week and he did not give me any of the assurances I was seeking about the future squad.

Rooney also hit out at suggestions made by Ferguson in comments on Tuesday that he had failed to show the club "respect" by his conduct since making his decision to quit.

"I was interested to hear what Sir Alex had to say yesterday and surprised by some of it," Rooney said.

"I have never had anything but complete respect for MUFC. How could I not have done given its fantastic history and especially the last six years in which I have been lucky to play a part?

"For me its all about winning trophies - as the club has always done under Sir Alex. Because of that I think the questions I was asking were justified.

"Despite recent difficulties, I know I will always owe Sir Alex Ferguson a huge debt. He is a great manager and mentor who has helped and supported me from the day he signed me from Everton when I was only 18.

"For Manchester United's sake I wish he could go on forever because he's a one off and a genius."

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Now Manchester United know how Coleen Rooney felt

Last month it was Coleen and her family who were betrayed and humiliated by Wayne Rooney and his super-sized ego. This time, just weeks later, it is Sir Alex Ferguson. He seemed genuinely confused about why Rooney is turning his back on him and the club which has been loyal to him for six years.

Coleen must have been as bewildered why her husband betrayed her. And their unborn child. With prostitute Jennifer Thompson. In a nightclub toilet (plus the offer of marital bed). On the face of it there aren't many similarities between the chirpy young mum and the surly football manager. In reality there are many. Coleen and Sir Alex both believe in the importance of strong families and decent values.

They have both stood beside Rooney since he was as a kid, giving him the stability he needed to realise his potential. But he has treated them with equal contempt - though surely someone as wily as Sir Alex must have seen it coming. If a man is prepared to cheat on his wife, he'll cheat on anyone. And that is exactly what Rooney has done - because, like others who cheat with hookers, he is incapable of respecting the people who love him.

He doesn't respect his wife, child, boss, club or fans. Whoever hires him - and whichever fans take him to their hearts - should understand he won't respect them either. For greed and ego have taken over. He clearly believes he can do whatever he wants and there will be no comeback on him.

One day, he may wake up and realise those who loved him are long gone - though Coleen is desperate to keep her family together and, in the short term, seems prepared to forgive. I doubt Sir Alex can do the same. Rooney has long deserved a good boot up the backside for his arrogance. If Coleen won't give it to him, we can only hope the Old Trafford boss will.

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Manchester United - West Bromwich Albion Preview: Owen Hargreaves could make bench as Wayne Rooney returns to the fold

Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to welcome back veteran duo Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes to the fold after they shook off injuries. Wayne Rooney's declaration of match fitness should see him selected to start unless the fall out from the revelation extends to the team sheet.

News of knee pain for Park Ji-Sung on international duty could see the South Korean miss the cut. Owen Hargreaves long-awaited return could see a place granted on the substitute's bench. Possible starting XI: Van der Sar; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Scholes, Anderson, Giggs; Berbatov, Rooney.Roberto Di Matteo will have his fingers crossed that top scorer Peter Odemwingie can declare himself fit after he picked up a knee injury. Reserve striker Ishmael Miller faces a race against time to be on standby to deputise with a thigh strain.

Youngster Joe Mattock could also return to the first team fold after an extended spell on the treatment table with the same injury.

Slovakia international Marek Cech is unavailable with a damaged ankle.

Possible starting XI: Carson; Jara, Olsson, Pablo, Shorey; Brunt, Mulumbu, Scharner, Dorrans, Morrison; Odemwingie.

Home comforts

Manchester United are looking to get back on the Premier League pace after the disappointing 0-0 draw with Sunderland before the international break.

The stalemate at the Stadium of Light left the club in third place in the table, five points behind leaders Chelsea and one place behind bitter rivals Manchester City.

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson comes into tomorrow's West Bromwich Albion clash with the media glare centred on his reportedly fractious relationship with Wayne Rooney. The intrigue from the out of form striker's contradictory statements about an ankle injury will only be defused by a flurry of goals.

In better news, injury plagued midfielder Owen Hargreaves is believed to be on the cusp of his first appearance at the Theatre of Dreams in two years after being given the all clear by surgeon Dr Richard Steadman.

United's perfect home record will be expected to be extended against West Bromwich Albion. Another setback would see Chelsea disappear further into the horizon.

Buoyant Baggies

West Brom have shot to sixth place in the standings and are in no mood to be cowed into submission.

The 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers a fortnight ago has seen Roberto Di Matteo enjoy a stunning introduction to top flight management. Expected to be headed straight back to the Championship, the Baggies have lacked the praise they deserve after Blackpool's similarly impressive opening stole the headlines.

The spine of this challenge has come at the Hawthorns. Away from home, a haul of just three points hints at a difficult afternoon in the north west.

The memories of the 6-0 thrashing on the opening day may still be in the mind of the Italian's troops. Furthermore, the Baggies will be fighting against more than 30 years of history since they last took the spoils at Old Trafford. West Brom have made a mockery of the pre-season predictions of doom thus far. Another fine result would be the greatest upset of all.

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Manchester United fans unveil plans for mass protest march against Glazers before Tottenham match on October 30

Manchester United supporters have unveiled plans for a mass protest march against the Glazer family later this month, Goal.com UK can reveal. It will take place before the club’s televised home Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, October 30.

The fresh anti-Glazer protests have been sparked by the club’s latest annual figures, which revealed last Friday that United had record losses of £83.6 million despite posting record turnover and operating profit figures.

Organisers say the march has been timed not only to build on the increasing anger among supporters towards the American owners but also the momentum of last season’s ‘Green and Gold’ campaign.

“The results have come out and they’re not pretty,” said a spokesman for United Against Glazer, which has launched a website and a Facebook page under the same name. “The idea behind it is to get the momentum going again after last season.

“We all know the figures by now, how the Glazers have taken £500m out of the club since taking it over in 2005. I don’t know how sustainable these figures are but they are unacceptable.

“The thing for me is that two years ago Paul Scholes started around half the games. Now he is a first-team shoo-in.

"We bought Bebe for nearly £8m when we could have had Rafael van der Vaart at the same price, but I’m sure we wouldn’t pay the wages.

"We are supposed to have £160m in cash but I’d be amazed if the Glazers haven’t got their eyes on that.”

The march, which organisers stress is nothing to do with anti-Glazer organisations Manchester United Supporters’ Trust and the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association, will begin at the Tollgate pub in Manchester at 4.15pm and take in a mile-long route that includes Lancashire Cricket Club before ending up at Sir Matt Busby Way just outside Old Trafford.

Although there were two off-the-cuff protest marches last season, organisers say this one will be more concerted. “The police and relevant authorities have all been informed,” added the spokesman. “It will be really professional and a demonstration of our anger at the Glazer regime.”

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Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson comes under friendly fire from Jose Mourinho

Such affection from the former Chelsea manager seems hard to equate given the pair's fractious relationship during his time at Stamford Bridge. The two repeatedly clashed in the Portuguese's last full season in England in 2007, with Ferguson accusing Mourinho of being "on a personal crusade" to cost United points, only for the Scot to be told that his belief that "other people are stupid" is "not a good quality". But Mourinho has now told sports network, Gol TV: "Among all the coaches in football I can say that Ferguson is my best friend."

To be fair, the Portuguese has always been at pains to point out his respect for Ferguson, stating that it was the United manager's tradition of sharing a glass of wine with an opponent after a game which dictated his approach to life in the Premier League. Their apparent rapprochement will only serve to strengthen the impression that Mourinho is Ferguson's most likely successor at Old Trafford when the 68 year-old eventually elects to retire from football.

It is a view likely to be reinforced by Mourinho's continuing tendency to express his admiration for the Premier League. "I prefer [to manage in] England," he said. "I think that in Portugal, Italy and Spain there are some fans who prefer the day before and day after a match rather than the match itself."

Ferguson, meanwhile, appears to be stepping up his attempts to sign a new goalkeeper as cover for Edwin van der Sar after Danish international Anders Lindegaard admitted the United manager was interested in signing him.

The 26 year-old, currently with the Norwegian side Aalesunds, said: "I know there is interest from United. It is not just coming from the media."

Ferguson has also dispatched scouts to track the progress of Dutch international Maarten Stekelenburg, the Ajax player, and Manuel Neuer, the German international currently at Schalke. He has also been linked with Igor Akinfeev, the Russian goalkeeper, after he impressed for CSKA Moscow against United last season.

United will again have a reduced ticket allocation for their Manchester derby clash with City at Eastlands on Nov 10.

City officials cut United's allocation by 10 per cent for last season's encounter in April after deciding to take action over the persistent standing of their fans.

In confirming their neighbours would again receive just over 2,500 tickets, City officials are stressing it is a club policy that has been used against other sides, including Liverpool and Newcastle already this season.

United have had similar issues in the past and had allocations cut at Middlesbrough, plus at Sunderland and Bolton this season.

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Manchester United manger Sir Alex Ferguson says Dimitar Berbatov responded to pep talk

Two years after leaving Tottenham Hotspur for United in a £30.75 million club-record transfer, Berbatov has finally started to justify his price tag this season, scoring seven goals in all competitions. The Bulgarian had struggled to make an impact at Old Trafford, with Ferguson overlooking him for the majority of United's pivotal fixtures last term. But the United manager believes that Berbatov has now come to terms with the demands of playing for the club.

Ferguson said: "I just had a word with him at the start of the campaign. I told him: 'Look, only you can solve this conundrum. You're the one in control here. You've got fantastic ability and you need to realise that ability and make the most of it. We'll be here to support you.'"He has started the season in terrific form for us. Dimitar has been, without doubt, our star forward.

"When you bring a player to Manchester United, not everybody takes to the situation straight away. Not all signings become hits overnight. "Nobody's ever doubted the ability of the lad, but what we're seeing now is a striker who's playing with belief and confidence."All strikers are massively reliant on those two factors and, at the moment, Berbatov has both." Blackpool manager Ian Holloway has been given a one-match touchline ban and £9,500 for his language and behaviour towards match officials after his team's game against Blackburn Rovers on Sept 25.

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Manchester United defender Chris Smalling says playing with Rio Ferdinand is 'a joy'

Ferdinand might only have played five times for Manchester United since Smalling arrived from Fulham in July, but his influence and general aura have clearly already been an inspiration. “Whether he puts on that captain's armband or it is just in training, he is leading the team,” said Smalling.

“He has been a real joy to be alongside. The stature of the guy is something to look up to. He is so friendly at the training ground every day. He has eased me in really well and hopefully I will have many more games with him at Manchester United. He has built up that presence over the years and he is just very commanding. I cannot be in a better atmosphere to be learning my trade.” Specifically, Smalling says Ferdinand’s composure is infectious and also praises how he has taught him to be “the eyes” of the central midfielders.

That vocal assistance was clearly evident in Smalling’s performance for the England Under-21 team on Friday night in their European Championship play-off against Romania when he could be seen constantly advising and cajoling midfielders Fabrice Muamba and Jordan Henderson. Smalling also demonstrated his composure by scoring the late winner in a 2-1 victory that leaves the overall tie in the balance ahead of tomorrow’s second leg in Botosani.

“A lot of us are trying to progress into our clubs and playing in a pressure game like this is definitely going to stand us in good stead,” said Smalling. “Hopefully we can play in that tournament next summer because that will be a once in a lifetime experience for a lot of us young lads. I have played a couple of games for Manchester United and the manager has been really happy with my performances and he has said I would get chances along the way. I definitely see myself playing a lot of games this season.”

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Wayne Rooney labelled 'a bit crass' by Manchester United teammate Macheda

Federico Macheda has taken a lighthearted dig at fellow Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, calling him "a really good person" but "a bit crass."In an interview with Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport on Thursday, Macheda said Rooney always "gives me advice."But the 19-year-old Macheda also said his teammate is a bit of a "coatto," a Roman slang word used to describe someone who is working class and vulgar.

Rooney has endured a rocky few months on and off the pitch. The England striker struggled at the World Cup and recently conceded that rumours about his private life may have contributed to his poor form this season.

The 24-year-old, who scored 34 goals last term, has netted only one — a penalty — in five games for Manchester United so far this season.

Despite Rooney's form, Macheda is still being used mainly as a substitute by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, but the Italy under-21 international denied reports that he could return to former club Lazio, which tops the Serie A table. "I want to grow in Manchester and when I'm ready I can make those choices," Macheda said.

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Manchester United's Wayne Rooney a big loser in football rich list

Wayne Rooney's value has fallen by £12m according to the latest football rich list. The Manchester United striker has slumped from 65th to 89th in the main list and from third to sixth in the players' rankings.

The forward's earnings fell from £37m to £25m and follow the decision by Coca Cola to stop using the player to promote Coke Zero. The company said it "did not feel it was appropriate" to use Rooney following recent allegations about his private life. The 24-year-old is now behind Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell and Ryan Giggs, according to the survey by Fourfourtwo.com, which commissioned the survey, while David Beckham remains top of the list despite his value dropping by a fifth from £125m to £100m.

Manchester City's Sheikh Mansour tops the list as richest club owner (£20bn), up £3bn from last year, with the England head coach, Fabio Capello valued as the richest manager (£36m), ahead of the Ipswich manager, Roy Keane, (£28m).

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How would Gareth Bale fit in at Manchester United and Real Madrid?

Congratulations Tottenham fans, this is what the Champions League is all about. Winning important games in front of sell-out, raucous crowds thanks to the individual exploits of a couple of star players... who will then quickly be targetted by the competition's true heavyweights.

It is, as many clubs have found in the past, very much a double-edged sword. Spurs may be in a more financially favourable position to reject multi-million pound bids for their major assets than in seasons past, but after an ominous start to the domestic season from Manchester City and the rest of last season's top three, a successive qualification for Europe's most lucrative competition looks another major challenge.And, with a player so clearly at home at the highest level as Gareth Bale, it is hardly a surprise to learn, as Goal.com UK exclusively have, that Manchester United are intent on capturing the player next summer — even if they might face competition from Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid.

Just two (proper) games into his Champions League career, the young Welshman looks perfectly at home at the game's highest level. In his first game he was impressive despite Spurs failing to capitalise on a 2-0 lead in Germany against Werder Bremen, and then on Wednesday at White Hart Lane he tore apart FC Twente's shell-shocked defence with breathtaking ease.

And that's without highlighting his domestic form, which he has built on from the back-end of last season to see him become an almost unstoppable threat whenever he is given license to push forward.

It's his skill-set, as much as his current form, that will have admiring suitors queuing around the block. Rampaging up and down the left flank, Bale assumes a position that has traditionally been hard to fill. Able to play full-back — even if, to offer some criticism, he does need to work on his defensive prowess — this season the 21-year-old has proven himself a nightmare to play against from a roaming left-wing position. His pace and power has all-too often proved too much for opposing right-backs, and the number of free-kicks and penalties he has won, along with the chances and goals he has created, only serve to illustrate that fact.

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Football transfer rumours: Bruno Montelongo to Manchester United?

In the Daily Mail Manchester United are in a funk over Danish "goalkeeping sensation" Anders Lindegaard, who is 26 and plays for Aalesunds in Norway. Liverpool, Arsenal and Milan have previously expressed an interest. Lindegaard has been playing properly for only about a year. United are also pawing lasciviously at the skirts of the Uruguayan right-back Bruno Montelongo, who is on loan at Milan from River Plate and valued at £7m.

Florent Malouda has promised to stay at Chelsea until 2014, and then go and play in Brazil. "I'd get a real thrill from playing in the country for a club like Flamengo or Vasco da Gama," he swooned, picturing himself running out in front of 400 people inside a vast concrete bowl to compete for the prestigious regional Rio state Golden Ironing Board. Mooching goal-fumbler Roman Pavlyuchenko has "vowed" to stay at White Hart Lane and "fight" for his future. "To be honest, in the last year when I didn't play much I had thoughts about returning to Russia. Now I do not want to move back," Pavlyuchenko shrugged, frowning vaguely before becoming distracted by the sight of his own shoes and staring at them for a bit and then completely forgetting what it was he'd just said and thinking instead, hey, maybe he should go back to Russia.

Bolton's record signing, Johan Elmander, is about to be "rewarded with a new deal". And Leeds are pondering a move for the 23-year-old Sierra Leone striker Ishmail Kamara of chip-stinking pit turned fashionable ironic artsy seaside chip-stinking pit Margate.

In the Mirror, Stoke and Bayern Munich are about to enter into an unlikely "£8m battle" for Wigan wing-scuttler Charles N'Zogbia.

Sven-Goran Eriksson has been given a "£10m war chest". "I was asked by the owners, 'how much money do you want?" Eriksson explained, taking a break from being pushed around the streets of Leicester inside a wheelbarrow full of bank notes while a hired retainer uses a funnel to force-feed high denomination currency directly down his throat and into his engorged intestines.

Raven-haired Hollywood movie beauty Milan Jovanovic has promised not to leave Liverpool, Michael Essien is staying at Chelsea and Ryan Giggs doesn't want to manage Wales.

On Goal.com Diego Forlán has told Marca that he wouldn't mind coming back to England one day. "If the club got too good an offer, which has not arrived, I may decide to stay or leave, and I would consider it," he said, not really saying anything at all. Steve Bruce is in a froth over the Almeria striker Kalu Uche, who would cost £5m. And rumour-favourite Sergio Agüero is in talks to sign a new contract to sit on the bench quite a lot at Atlético Madrid. Chelsea and Manchester City will be disappointed.

There is more sensational salacious soaraway soccer shame in this morning's Sun, which has an EXCLUSIVE: top footballer and manager get cross with each other at half-time. Then make up later. And ultimately win game. On this occasion – surely the first in the 130-year history of league football – the shamed aces involved are Roberto Mancini and chunky Carlos Tevez who said bad words at half-time during the win against Newcastle.

"Mancini was heard screaming: "Go **** your mother" before ordering the striker to shut up because he was the boss… Mancini then made the mother insult and Argentina star Tevez leapt up and confronted his boss, who in turn charged towards the player. City team-mates and staff grappled to keep the pair from thumping one another… The Italian then stormed out of the dressing room into the tunnel. Tevez followed and later they shook hands after the player was subbed."

Amazing scenes. The Mill will never look at an adult involved in a passionately committed professional contact sport in quite the same light.

Mark Schwarzer may yet still leave Fulham for Arsenal in the next transfer window. "A lot can happen between now and January. What will be will be," he said yesterday, pulling the sleeves of his simple brown smock tight around his shoulders and frowning into the entrails of a dissected rabbit. And Robert Pires, now 36 and without a club, is being allowed to train with Arsenal but it doesn't mean anything and he's just totally fine with that.

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Ferguson content with point for Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson was happy to take a point after his Manchester United side were rescued by Edwin van der Sar and the woodwork at Sunderland. United were subjected to a first-half battering at the Stadium of Light but escaped with a goalless draw, their fourth successive away stalemate in the Barclays Premier League. Either side could have snatched victory at the death but Ferguson was not unhappy with the result.

"Sunderland had the most chances in the game and I have to say we were fantastic defensively," said Ferguson, whose side slipped a place to third after the weekend's action. "That's the area in which we have been leaking goals and throwing games away this season, so I am pleased with that.

"It was a very determined Sunderland team, their home record this season has been very, very good, so I am not pleased but I am satisfied."The Black Cats' best chances saw Boudewijn Zenden hit the post and Van der Sar make a vital save from Steed Malbranque.

In-form Rafael van der Vaart struck twice as Tottenham came from behind to beat Aston Villa 2-1 at White Hart Lane.

Marc Albrighton put the visitors ahead after good work by Emile Heskey but Van der Vaart ended Gerard Houllier's winning start as Villa boss with an impressive double.

"He's started well; he's going well; he's going great," said manager Harry Redknapp of his £8million deadline day signing from Real Madrid.

Everton won for the first time this season as an own goal from Roger Johnson and a late Tim Cahill header ended Birmingham's year-long run without home defeat.

Victory at St Andrew's lifted the Toffees out of the bottom three and planted their arch-rivals Liverpool there instead.

Manager David Moyes said: "People who have watched us said our performances have not merited where we are in the league.

"The players needed to see the way we were playing was going to get them rewards points-wise - and we got it."

Wigan were also 2-0 winners as goals from Jordi Gomez and Hugo Rodallega at the DW Stadium saw off Wolves, who had captain Karl Henry sent off for a horror tackle.

"I've no argument at all with the red card," said Wolves boss Mick McCarthy when asked about Henry's 11th-minute challenge on Gomez.

Jon Walters scored his first goal for Stoke in a 1-0 win over Blackburn at the Britannia Stadium while James Morrison cancelled out a Johan Elmander striker to earn West Brom a home point against Bolton.

West Ham's Frederic Piquionne denied Fulham a first away win in 13 months by equalising after Clint Dempsey had given the visitors the lead at Upton Park. However it was not enough to prevent the Hammers slipping to the bottom of the table. "The position in the league now is not important because one win can take you up four or five places," said upbeat manager Avram Grant.

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Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney insists: 'I'm only human'

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has said he is confident he will regain his form soon, after a troubled start to the season. Rooney's campaign has been dogged by allegations about his private life and a barren run in front of goal, which has seen him yet to score from open play this season.

And Rooney says that his off-field distractions have hit him hard. He told Sky Sports: "I'm only a human being. "I hurt as well, but I need to get through this and get back to playing football the way I can do.”Rooney's poor form goes back to the World Cup in South Africa, where Rooney and England under-performed hugely.

He said: "It was a poor World Cup, I didn't reach the form I would have liked to. "You try and forget it and move on but obviously it's difficult. Going to the biggest tournament in the world you want to express yourself and we didn't do that, I didn't do that.

"We prepared well as a team but once we got on the pitch it didn't click.

"I was in the right state of mind. I just can't see why I didn't perform, and it still puzzles me to this day why I didn't perform to even half the performance levels I know I can do."

Rooney is out of Manchester United's game with Sunderland on Saturday with an ankle injury, but expected to line up for England against Montenegro on October 12.

And the forward, who hit 34 goals last season, is confident his performances will improve the more playing time he gets.

"I know I can play better, so I'm hoping to get a consistent run of games in the team.

"If I do that, I'm sure my form will be back to its best. When you're not playing at your best, you need to just continue playing and doing the simple things, then your form will come good."

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Manchester United's Darren Fletcher heaps praise on Javier Hernández

Darren Fletcher is expecting Javier Hernández to have a bright future at Manchester United. Relatively unknown in Europe when he agreed to join United in a £7m deal from Chivas before the World Cup, the Mexican made an instant impact in South Africa and has followed it with an impressive start at Old Trafford.

Goals for and against his new club on their pre-season tour of North America hinted at his potential and, although his goal in the Community Shield was unconventional as he booted the ball in via a deflection off his face, it took away the pressure of trying to break his United duck in a competitive match.

Although Hernández's chances have been limited by the form of Dimitar Berbatov, he proved to be the match-winner in Valencia last night when he scored five minutes from the end to give United a rare Champions League victory in Spain.

Fletcher feels there is more to come from the 22-year-old. "Javier got his head down and finished it fantastically," said the Scotland captain. "He showed he is going to be a great player for Manchester United.

"He is young and still getting used to the way we play. But he has come in from Mexico and is a real talent."

United lead the group – if only on alphabetical order from Rangers – but Fletcher is pleased they have put their ineffective performance during the home draw against the Scottish champions behind them.

"We are back in a good position," said Fletcher. "We were disappointed to draw at home to Rangers and we knew going to Valencia was going to be difficult. But we got three points to put us back top of the group. The target is always 10 points. That is what it remains."

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