Soccer

Jones on mark as United regain second spot

Premier League round-up: Phil Jones scored his first goal for Manchester United as they regained second spot in the Barclays…

Sat Dec 03 2011 - 00:00

Premier League round-up:Phil Jones scored his first goal for Manchester Unitedas they regained second spot in the Barclays Premier League with a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa.


Jones struck after 20 minutes as United extended their unbeaten league run at Villa Park to 16 years.

Alex Ferguson’s side climbed back above Tottenham, who had briefly gone second with their win earlier this afternoon, and remained five points adrift of Manchester City after dominating for long periods.

The down side for the Red Devils was the early loss of striker Javier Hernandez with a serious-looking ankle injury, though they overcame his absence with relative ease.

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Aston Villa suffered a double injury setback during the game with Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given having to be assisted off the pitch with what looked a bad hamstring injury, while Jermaine Jenas had to go off with an ankle injury.

Tottenhameased to a 3-0 victory over 10-man Boltonat White Hart Lane. Gareth Bale tapped home a Luka Modric corner to break the deadlock after six minutes and he then removed his boot in front of the Bolton fans as a tribute to former Wales manager and Bolton player Gary Speed.

Gary Cahill was given a very harsh red card for a foul on Scott Parker in the 17th minute and Spurs dominated from then on, adding second-half goals from Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon to seal the comfortable win which stretched their unbeaten league run to 11 matches.

Arsenalmoved into fifth place with a thumping 4-0 win over Wiganat the DW Stadium.

The hosts, who drop to the bottom of the table, began brightly but were undone by two goals in two minutes just before the half-hour mark as first Mikel Arteta’s shot evaded Ali Al Habsi’s grasp and then Thomas Vermaelen nodded in a corner.

Arsenal always looked likely to add to their lead in the second half and in the 61st minute Gervinho made it three before Robin van Persie added his customary goal 12 minutes from time after good work from Theo Walcott.

Shane Long netted late on to secure West Broma point from a tough 1-1 draw at QPR.

The Republic of Ireland international tucked home an 81st minute equaliser after latching on to Peter Odemwingie’s fine left wing cross.

QPR looked more likely to win at Loftus Road but paid for their failure to add to Heidar Helguson’s first-half effort.

Ayegbeni Yakubu's stunning solo show lifted Blackburnoff the foot of the table as they beat Swansea4-2 at Ewood Park.

Yakubu struck all four of Rovers’ goals in a 4-2 win with Leroy Lita briefly equalising for the visitors and Luke Moore reducing the deficit late on.

Rovers had Joe Allen sent off for a second bookable offence late on, shortly before Neil Taylor gave away the spot-kick from which Yakubu completed his fine day’s work.