Manchester United 3-0 Burnley

Manchester United made sure that they kept pace with Chelsea at the top thanks to three second half goals from Dimitar Berbatov, Wayne Rooney and Mame Diouf.

Victory over Burnley, who shocked United with a 1-0 win earlier this season, means that United are only a point behind Chelsea in second, albeit having played one more game than their rivals.

United started the game well with Jonny Evans looping his header onto the roof of the net after Nani floated the ball across the box from a free kick.

Wayne Rooney then attempted an ambitious bicycle kick from six yards, after Dimitar Berbatov flicked the ball into his path from a Patrice Evra cross.

However, Burnley had a magnificent chance in the 7th minute. David Nugent broke down the right hand side and set Steven Fletcher through on goal. The 22 year old ran into the area and drilled his shot just wide with Edwin Van Der Sar advancing.

Nugent was involved again in the 22nd minute when he over hit his cross from the right and Steven Fletcher couldn’t control his lay back to Chris Eagles, allowing United to clear.

United showed a glimpse of their fluent best just before half-time, attacking with a series of wonderful one touch passes. Michael Carrick played in Valencia, who in turn, crossed with his first touch, finding Nani towards the back post. The Portuguese international controlled the ball brilliantly on his chest and connected brilliantly with a superb bicycle kick, only to see Brian Jensen dive full length down to his right and fingertip the ball past the post.

United started the second half brightly, with Wayne Rooney lifting a shot over the bar from 12 yards from Evra’s pass.

Their next notable attack came in the 57th minute with Berbatov and Valencia combining brilliantly before Berbatov stabbed his shot just wide.

Burnley continued to hold their own though against the champions and David Nugent almost put them in front. Chris Eagles showed brilliant close control as he ran straight at the United defence, threading a ball through to David Nugent. The striker easily got the better of Gary Neville, holding United’s veteran captain off as he entered the box, only to drag his shot just wide of Van Der Sar’s right hand post.

They were made to pay for failing to make the most of their chances as United scored with their very next attack in the 64th minute. Wayne Rooney passed the ball to Berbatov, and the Bulgarian got in behind Michael Duff to score the opener.

Chris Eagles then had a chance at the other end almost straight after the restart. He played a one-two with Wade Elliot and unleashed a shot towards the bottom corner which Van Der Sar proved equal to.

United then killed the game off in the 67th minute through Wayne Rooney’s 16th goal of the season.

Paul Scholes fed the ball through to Dimitar Berbatov just inside the area, who struck the ball across goal at Brian Jensen. Although the Burnley keeper stopped the shot, he couldn’t gather the ball. This allowed Wayne Rooney to collect, and the England international navigated a couple of Burnley defenders and smashed the ball into the back of the net.

United added a third in stoppage time, with a goal for Mame Diouf on his home debut. The young striker beat Burnley’s offside trap to head the ball past the oncoming Jensen and seal United’s victory.

What did you make of United’s performance today? Have they overcome their recent dip in form just at the right time to keep pace in the title race?

By Harry Veal