United leave it late to extend lead over City

Manchester United went five points clear at the top of the Premier League after late goals by Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young sealed a 2-0 win at struggling Blackburn on Monday. Sir Alex Ferguson's side looked set for an evening of frustration at Ewood Park as an entertaining game appeared to be heading towards a goalless draw. But Valencia broke the deadlock in the 81st minute with a sublime finish from an acute angle before Young sealed United's 10th win in 11 top-flight games five minutes later from the edge of the area. The result leaves United clear favourites to secure a fifth title in six seasons. They will go eight points clear at the summit if they defeat QPR at Old Trafford in their next match as nearest rivals Manchester City are not in action until late Sunday afternoon. With the title race at a critical stage, Ferguson had attempted to ease the pressure on his players by taking them on a golfing weekend to St Andrews. And it looked like the trip to Scotland had the desired affect as the visitors dominated the opening exchanges at a ground where they had won just twice in their previous 11 top-flight visits. With their 7,000 travelling fans in buoyant mood and clearly sensing a shift in momentum in the title race, Javier Hernandez twice went close in the opening 10 minutes. Blackburn had already survived a narrow escape after Hernandez spurned a fine chance from close range following a delightful Wayne Rooney pass when the Mexican hit the post five minutes later after connecting with Valencia's low cross at the near post. Hernandez wheeled away believing he had scored but was left holding his hands on his head after realising his shot had come back off the post and hit Paul Robinson, the Blackburn keeper reacting quickly to prevent the ball crossing the line. It was the closest United came to scoring in a goalless first-half. Blackburn were guilty of affording Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick too much space while Valencia was proving United's main source of ammunition from the left flank. Yet this was a night where the leaders were required to show patience. Carrick fired narrowly over from long range before United keeper David de Gea, who was dropped after Blackburn's shock 3-2 win at Old Trafford at the end of December, made the first of three excellent saves by denying Junior Hoilett from 25-yards in the 18th minute. Phil Jones helped save Rovers from relegation last season. But the England international let his former club off the hook on his first return to Ewood Park since joining United last summer when he headed wastefully wide following another excellent cross from the tireless Valencia. Former England goalkeeper Robinson was at his best in the second-half to frustrate Rafael da Silva's rasping diagonal strike before de Gea almost allowed Blackburn to make a 61st minute breakthrough. Morten Gamst Pedersen did find the net for Rovers with an excellent finish from the edge of the are but the goal was ruled out after the ball was adjudged to have gone out of play before Steven Nzonzi crossed for the Norwegian international. But United sealed victory with two goals in the closing stages. Rovers keeper Robinson will feel he should have done better for Valencia's goal, a powerful ambitious effort nine minutes from time after Rafael's pass. Substitute Young made sure with a well-executed finish from the edge of the area to send Blackburn back into the relegation zone.