Premier League Review:Manchester United beat Wolves 3-0 in Alex Ferguson's 900th league game tonight but the spotlight was trained on opposition boss Mick McCarthy for his controversial team selection.
McCarthy made 10 changes to the side that won at Tottenham on Saturday, an astonishing number given Wolves are not in action again until Sunday’s meeting with Burnley.
The visiting fans made their feelings known in no uncertain manner as goals from Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic and Antonio Valencia allowed the hosts to cruise home.
Rooney scored a 30th-minute penalty, with Vidic doubling the lead two minutes before half-time and Valencia netting after 66 minutes.
England World Cup hopefuls Emile Heskey and James Milner teamed up to maintain Aston Villa’s charge up the table, with a 2-0 win away to Sunderland.
Heskey put the visitors ahead with 24 minutes gone, and Milner wrapped up the win with a stunning 61st-minute strike.
Stewart Downing and Ashley Young both hit the woodwork, although Andy Reid wasted a great chance to level for the Black Cats, who had skipper Lorik Cana sent off for a second bookable offence.
Cameron Jerome helped Birmingham rewrite their record books as his double against Blackburn lifted Alex McLeish’s side into the top six.
Blues registered a fifth successive Premier League win for the first time - and it is 36 years since they achieved the feat in the top flight during the days of Trevor Francis and Bob Latchford.
Jerome struck after 12 minutes and again three minutes into the second half - his 50th career league goal - and Rovers could only manage a solitary reply from skipper Ryan Nelsen.
Bolton moved out of the relegation zone with a 3-1 victory over West Ham at the Reebok Stadium.
Goals from Chung-Yong Lee, Ivan Klasnic and Gary Cahill sealed a vital three points for Wanderers, who moved above the visitors into 17th place.
Klasnic’s goal was embarrassing for West Ham’s England goalkeeper Robert Green who dropped the ball at the feet of the Bolton striker, allowing him to score from close range.
Alessandro Diamanti scored for the Hammers, who are now second from bottom and also suffered a blow when injury-plagued midfielder Kieron Dyer was substituted midway through the first period.
Tonight’s Results:
Birmingham 2 Blackburn 1
Bolton 3 West Ham 1
Man Utd 3 Wolverhampton 0
Sunderland 0 Aston Villa 2
