Wayne Rooney returned for Manchester United on Saturday in a comfortable 2-0 win over Wigan in the English Premier League.
Goals in either half from Patrice Evra and substitute Javier Hernandez were enough for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to close the gap on Chelsea after the west London outfit suffered a shock defeat at Birmingham.
United went ahead on the stroke of half-time when Wigan’s defense, which had previously looked solid, momentarily switched off and was made to pay the price at Old Trafford.
Rafael’s throw-in on the right found Park Ji-Sung, who turned and swung over a delightful cross to the far post where Evra arrived unmarked to direct his header down and back across the exposed Ali Al Habsi.
Any hopes Wigan had of finding a way back in to the match were crushed with captain Antolin Alcaraz and striker Hugo Rodallega dismissed in the space of three second half minutes.
Alcaraz was first to go, with two late challenges seeing him collect two yellow cards, while Rodallega was issued with a straight red for a horrible double-footed lunge on Rafael.
With Wigan firmly on the back foot, further United goals were inevitable, with Hernandez heading home from Rafael’s inviting cross, while the young Mexican and Rooney both missed glorious chances to add to United’s tally.
An inspirational fightback gave Tottenham the North London bragging rights against Arsenal in Saturday’s early kick-off, with Spurs battling back from two goals down to win 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium.
Chelsea’s problems increased as Carlo Ancelotti’s defending champions lost for the third time in four matches following a 1-0 defeat to Birmingham at St Andrews.
A trademark Lee Bowyer goal in the 17th minute gave Alex McLeish’s side the points, with the veteran midfielder timing his run perfectly to meet Cameron Jerome’s knockdown for a simple, side-foot finish from close range.
Elsewhere, Owen Coyle’s Bolton continued its remarkable form as it moved into the top four with a 5-1 win over Newcastle at the Reebok Stadium.
Wolves’ relegation fears deepened in the wake of a 2-1 defeat at Blackpool, and a controversial penalty helped Stoke to three points in a 3-0 win over West Brom at The Hawthorns.
