United cruise past Rovers despite controversy
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Wes Brown claims a controversial opener at the far post. (Getty Images: Alex Livesey)
Wes Brown headed the third league goal of his career in controversial fashion as Manchester United's recent renaissance continued with a 2-0 win over Blackburn at Ewood Park overnight.
Wayne Rooney also scored with a brilliant trademark finish, ably demonstrating that the striker is fit and ready to play for England in their forthcoming World Cup qualifying games.
In the other late fixture, Roman Bednar scored the only goal of the game at The Hawthorns as West Bromwich Albion saw off visitors Fulham.
The Czech international striker's 61st-minute goal handed the Baggies their second straight win and heightened Fulham fans' fears that this season could be another long battle against relegation.
At Ewood Park, for the second consecutive weekend, United's win was marred by controversy, as, also for a second week running, was referee Steve Bennett.
Rovers goalkeeper Jason Brown appeared to be elbowed out of the way of Rooney's 31st-minute far-post cross by defender Nemanja Vidic, the ball striking the head of defender Brown for the opening goal, only his third in more than 200 United league games.
Bennett, a late replacement for the injured Alan Wiley, was widely criticised for awarding a controversial penalty to Wigan after a foul by Manchester City's Javier Garrido on Wilson Palacios last Sunday.
Meanwhile, United enjoyed refereeing good fortune of their own last weekend as Rob Styles awarded an inexplicable penalty to Cristiano Ronaldo against Bolton, a decision for which he later apologised.
But, despite the poor officiating, United were still deserving of all three points against a Blackburn team managed by former Old Trafford favourite Paul Ince.
"We had a difficult start to the season, four hard away games out of the way, and we're still in a decent position, so we've got to take confidence from those games," man-of-the-match Rooney told Setanta television.
"I think it's a great result. For the last few years it's been a difficult place to come and the conditions were not the best. We had a job to do and played really well and deserved the win.
"We moved the ball well at times, were confident, and getting the goal in the first half made us pass a lot more freely, and we knew we would get chances in second half."
In the end United were all over Blackburn and should have won by more goals.
When The Red Devisl did finally score a deserved second goal, there was none of the good fortune associated with their first, simply superb football.
Brown played a ball for Ronaldo on the right hand side and the speedy winger accelerated before picking out Rooney whose magnificent finish rocketed into the Blackburn goal.
"It was our best performance of the season in terms of possession," said United manager Alex Ferguson. "It's always a difficult ground for us but today everyone was on song.
"The first 10 minutes was hammer and tongs but once we got the ball down and started passing we took control."
Asked about Rooney's contribution, he added: "That was his best performance of the season. He was full of energy".
- AFP/Reuters
