DECEMBER 2000 SPORT HEADLINES

Monday, January 22, 2001 - Web posted at 12:32:50 PM GMT

Man Utd on cruise control

LONDON - A scrambled second half goal by Gary Neville and a late effort from Teddy Sheringham gave Manchester United a 2-0 home win over Aston Villa on Saturday and a 14-point lead at the top of the premier league as most of their rivals faltered.

United, resting several first choice players, were again below their best but England defender Neville's first goal since March 1999 in the 57th minute and Sheringham's 18th of the season three minutes from time proved enough to take the points.

Arsenal could only manage a goalless draw at 10-man Leicester City, Ipswich Town went down 4-1 at Chelsea and Liverpool were held 0-0 at home by resurgent Middlesbrough.

United, now a record 1-100 ON to win the title, have 56 points and lead from Sunderland (42), who played last-placed Bradford City yesterday.

Arsenal have 41, with Liverpool and Ipswich both on 40.

At the other end of the table Everton finally found the way to goal with a 3-1 win at Coventry City while fellow-strugglers Derby County and Manchester City drew 1-1.

The day's other game between Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton ended goalless.

United keeper Fabien Barthez had to be at his sharpest in the 51st to foil Lee Hendrie who was through on goal.

A minute later Jonathan Greening cleared a Gareth Barry effort off the line and Paul Merson shot wide.

But the scares pushed United into greater efforts and they went ahead when Roy Keane's free kick caused panic in the box and Neville emerged claiming the goal.

Sheringham then gave a reminder to watching England manager Sven Goran Eriksson by sprinting 50 metres to tuck in the second when Andy Cole's shot was parried by James.

Arsenal's poor run continued at Leicester where they failed to take advantage of the hosts having Matthew Jones sent off for a second booking after 41 minutes.

Thierry Henry and Ray Parlour went close, but Leicester, who lost 6-1 to the Gunners a month ago, defended well to earn a point.

There was more bad news for Wenger when Brazilian new signing Edu went off with a hamstring injury that could sideline him for several weeks: Ipswich's red hot run looked set to continue when Marcus Stewart scored for the seventh successive match, his 17th of the season, after 23 minutes at Chelsea.

But Gustavo Poyet scrambled in the equaliser in first half injury time and Chelsea ruled the second half with a second for Poyet, one for Dennis Wise, and a penalty for man of the match Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Middlesbrough's tremendous recovery under Terry Venables continued at Anfield as they took their unbeaten run to eight games.

Liverpool made all the running and most of the chances but, despite ending the match with four strikers on the pitch, could not break the deadlock.

- Nampa-Reuters

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