Van Persie penalty lifts United to win over Liverpool

LONDON — Robin van Persie ended Manchester United's five-year wait for a win at Liverpool on Sunday, and Arsenal maintained its unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a draw at Manchester City.

Van Persie converted a late penalty kick to clinch a 2-1 victory at Anfield after both teams had paid tribute to the victims of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster before the game.

United was a man up from the 39th minute when Jonjo Shelvey was sent off, but Steven Gerrard managed to give Liverpool the lead with a volley at the start of the second half — only for Rafael da Silva to equalize.

And Van Persie's winner prolonged Liverpool's worst start to a season in more than a century, while lifting United to second.

City is three points further back after Joleon Lescott headed the champions ahead in the first half, but then failed to clear a late corner, allowing Laurent Koscielny to recover a 1-1 draw for Arsenal.

Also Sunday, Jermain Defoe's winner gave Tottenham a 2-1 win against Queens Park Rangers and Demba Ba gave Newcastle a 1-0 victory over Norwich.

The day's action began with an emotionally charged meeting of English soccer's fiercest rivals as Liverpool played at Anfield for the first time since the release of a report into the Hillsborough tragedy that exposed the police coverup and exonerated Reds fans.

In a show of unity before kickoff, Liverpool and United players wore tracksuit tops featuring the number 96 — the amount of Reds fans crushed to death 23 years ago.

Luis Suarez even shook hands with Patrick Evra, with no repeat of the snub that followed the Liverpool striker being banned for racially abusing the United defender in the Anfield fixture last October.

But by the end of the game there had been chants from a small number of Liverpool fans about the 1958 Munich disaster which killed eight United players. And, despite pre-match appeals from manager Alex Ferguson, there were taunts from United fans directed at the home support.

The usual hostilities had started to rage after Shelvey was sent off for launching himself at Jonny Evans, who Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers felt should also have been dismissed.

"I think both players' feet are off the floor," he said.

There was also a heated exchange of words between Shelvey and Ferguson, who later said: "He was trying to blame me."

There was an apology — of sorts — from Shelvey later.

"I have also apologized to Sir Alex, just where I come from people don't grass people up to get someone sent off," Shelvey wrote on Twitter.

LONDON — Former England captain John Terry unexpectedly quit international soccer Sunday before he was due to face a Football Association hearing on a racism charge, saying his place on the team had become "untenable."

Despite being cleared in court of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during a Premier League match last year, Terry was facing a lengthy ban if found guilty by an F.A. panel this week.

"I have always given my all and it breaks my heart to make this decision," Terry said.

The 31-year-old Chelsea defender was fired as England's captain in February but was allowed to continue playing.

"I am making this statement today in advance of the hearing of the F.A. disciplinary charge because I feel the F.A., in pursuing charges against me where I have already been cleared in a court of law, have made my position with the national team untenable," Terry said.

Terry has no plans to stop playing for Chelsea, where he has spent his entire career.

But the F.A. could still ban Terry for eight club matches, the punishment Liverpool striker Luis Suarez received last year for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra in a game.

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Germany, United States ready to clash for Under-20 Women's World Cup title

Defending champion Germany and the United States have both lived up to their pre-tournament heavyweight billings and go toe-to-toe for top honors on Saturday in the final of the Under-20 Women's World Cup in Tokyo.

The showcase match at National Stadium features the undisputed giants at this level, with both teams having won the title twice, but it is the Germans that have the psychological edge after coasting past the Americans 3-0 in the group phase behind a double from hotshot Lena Lotzen.

Germany has yet to allow a goal on Japanese soil and the European starlets have not conceded for six games at this level, a run stretching back to the final in 2010. They have also scored 15 times in their five outings so far, with Lotzen, the second top scorer in the tournament, bagging six goals.

Yet despite those impressive stats, Germany coach, Maren Meinert, whose team broke Japanese hearts with a 3-0 defeat of Young Nadeshiko in the semis, was eager to play down her team's status as favorites to take the title.

"I am not sure whether the win over the U.S. in the group stage gives us an advantage," she said. "In the final there are just two teams and for us it doesn't matter who we are playing tomorrow. We start again at zero. How we got to the final is irrelevant."

"I don't think there will be any need to motivate the players, but I don't want to think we have peaked too early as if we make mistakes now it will all be in vain. We are not champions yet but we are in good shape for tomorrow's final."

U.S. coach Steve Swanson admitted he is still figuring out how to try and break down the Germans but said he was pleased with the improvement his players have shown in the knockout phase of the competition, and that being in the final was all the motivation his team need.

"Although we didn't score against Germany in our group play I think we created enough quality chances to get something out of it. We are focusing on that and I think we have the kind of team and the kind of players that can be dangerous," said Swanson.

"It's a World Cup final so there is enough motivation for the players. They are very excited to play against Germany again. For us there were a lot of positives in that first game and we have kind of fixated on those during the course of the time we have been preparing for this game. I think there are a lot of things that we have shown we can do better in the quarterfinal and semifinals so I think we are a team that has improved throughout this tournament."

Before the final, Japan will meet Nigeria in the match for third place with both sides looking to bounce back from disappointment and end their campaigns on a high.

Japan's youngsters failed to match the feats of the country's senior side at the 2011 Women's World Cup and were left shell-shocked after their defeat to Germany.

Nonetheless they have made history by advancing to the semis for the first time and will be eager to put smiles back on the faces of their supporters by taking bronze.

"Losing is sometimes a positive thing because the issues you have are identified," said Japan coach Hiroshi Yoshida.

"I don't want the players to forget about the loss (against Germany) as it will serve as a good experience for them in the future. Tomorrow will be our last game and I just hope that we can put on a good performance."

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Van Persie's hat trick lifts United to victory

LONDON — Robin van Persie made up for an embarrassing failure from the penalty spot by grabbing a hat trick with two late goals in Manchester United's dramatic 3-2 win at Southampton on Sunday, earning the English giants a second straight win in the Premier League.

In a fitting way to mark United manager Alex Ferguson's 1,000th league game in charge, Van Persie equalized in the 87th minute before heading home a corner in the second minute of injury time for his fourth goal since joining from Arsenal for ?24 million ($38 million) in the offseason.

The Gunners showed earlier there is life after Van Persie when new signings Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla scored their first goals for the club in a 2-0 win over struggling Liverpool.

The loss leaves Liverpool rooted in the bottom three after the club's worst start to a season in 50 years, compounding its woes after a failure to add some much-needed signings to the squad on Friday's transfer deadline day.

In the day's other match, Aston Villa earned its first point of the campaign with a 1-1 draw at Newcastle, only being denied victory because of Hatem Ben Arfa's stunning second-half equalizer.

Van Persie's late show, which took him to 100 Premier League goals in 197 games, will have come as a mighty relief for the Netherlands striker, after his impudent chipped penalty was clawed away by goalkeeper Kelvin Davis in the 68th minute.

The score was 2-1 to Southampton at the time and United looked headed for a second loss in three games before Van Persie's last-gasp intervention.

"I don't know what I was thinking with the penalty. I was going to hit it hard but at the last second I changed my mind," Van Persie said. "I'm quite disappointed about it. I ask certain standards from my game and at 2-1 down you cannot take a penalty like that."

Ferguson, famous for what the British media calls the "hairdryer treatment" in the dressing room when his team or player underperforms, was all smiles after the match despite Van Persie's error of judgment.

"I was surprised because every time I've seen him take a penalty he usually rattles it into the corners, so I was confident," Ferguson said. "But he made up for it."

United rose to fifth place on six points, one behind neighbor and reigning champion Manchester City and three behind early leader Chelsea.

Arsenal is in eighth place, a point further back than United.

MADRID — Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice before injuring his leg to steer Real Madrid to a 3-0 home win over Granada on Sunday, the defending champions' first victory after three rounds of the Spanish season.

Barcelona, meanwhile, edged out Valencia 1-0 thanks to Adriano's first-half screamer to remain perfect after three games and lead the standings.

Madrid displayed little of the attacking flair it unleashed to topple Barcelona in the Spanish Supercup earlier this week, but Ronaldo's first league goals this season proved more than enough against the modest talents of Granada.

Ronaldo scored in the 26th and 54th minutes before leaving the pitch grimacing and favoring his left leg following a tackle by Borja Gomez that cost the Granada defender a second booking.

The Portugal striker didn't celebrate his goals.

"I am a little sad. When I don't score goals I am not happy," Ronaldo said, enigmatically adding that he was displeased for "professional" reasons with "people inside the club."

With Granada down a man, Gonzalo Higuain scored in the 76th to seal the much-needed win. Madrid had only one point after the first two rounds. It trails Barcelona by five points.

"Ronaldo is an important player for us, he is our goal-scorer," Madrid defender Sergio Ramos said. "I hope he takes advantage of (this week's) international break and gets better soon."

Also Sunday, Athletic Bilbao beat Valladolid 2-0 for the Basques' first win of the season. Sevilla drew 0-0 at Rayo Vallecano, and 10-man Levante came from behind to win 3-2 against visiting Espanyol.

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Kagawa to join Manchester United

Shinji Kagawa's long-awaited move to Manchester United finally happened after the Premier League giant announced Tuesday it had come to terms with Borussia Dortmund on a transfer for the Japan midfielder.

It is the biggest transfer ever by a Japanese player, and perhaps even by an Asian player. The fee, depending on Kagawa's performance at Old Trafford, could reach as high as ?22 million, according to the latest reports from Germany.

The deal is subject to a medical and the issuance of a work permit. Both are expected to be completed by the end of June, United said through a statement.

"Manchester United is delighted to announce that it has agreed (to) terms with both Borussia Dortmund and Shinji Kagawa for his transfer to the club," United said.

However, Kagawa, who is currently on national team duty for the World Cup qualifiers, was not expecting the announcement to be made as he trained for Friday's match at home to Jordan, and refused to go into details.

Appearing slightly annoyed by the situation, Kagawa did not take questions. He initially did not want to meet the press, but the Japan Football Association convinced him to at least say something.

"I haven't put pen to paper yet," Kagawa said. "We still have two more games to play, and the entire team is focused on these qualifiers.

"I'll talk about all of this once I'm done here. I hope people will understand."

His teammates, though, showered him with words of congratulations.

"Shinji deserves to be playing for a top club. He belongs," CSKA Moscow midfielder Keisuke Honda said. "I hope he does well."

Arsenal winger Ryo Miyaichi has no doubt Kagawa will succeed in the Premiership, and will not take a backseat even at Alex Ferguson's star-studded club.

"Kagawa can keep the ball in the smallest of spaces and is a quick decision-maker," Miyaichi told Kyodo News. "He can play there for sure.

"He's Japan's No. 10, and I think he'll be able to perform even at a glamorous side like Manchester United."

Kagawa had been linked with the world's biggest club like European champions Chelsea, Arsenal and AC Milan, although the Premier League was always his preferred destination.

The 23-year-old was instrumental in helping Dortmund win back-to-back Bundesliga titles, and is also an integral part of Alberto Zaccheroni's plans for Asian champion Japan.

Kagawa failed to make Takeshi Okada's team for the 2010 World Cup, but his stock took off after transferring from the J. League's Cerezo Osaka to Dortmund, where he scored 21 goals in 49 league appearances.

He missed the second half of his first season in Germany after breaking his metatarsal at the 2011 Asian Cup, but returned for 2011-12 to push Dortmund to the Bundesliga and German Cup double.

Ferguson scouted Kagawa in person at the German Cup final. The two met afterward, and Kagawa later admitted he was charmed by the legendary Scot.

Dortmund wished Kagawa continued success at United, where he will be joined by fellow Asian and former J. League player Park Ji Sung of South Korea.

"He made huge contributions to the team over what has been a successful two years," sports director Michael Zorc said. "We hope he continues to do well."

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United, City brace for crucial derby

MANCHESTER, England — The defining plot twist of the most enthralling title race in years could be written on Monday as Manchester City attempts to seize control of its Premier League destiny against leader Manchester United.

Time is now: Wayne Rooney will attempt to help United beat City for Premier League supremacy. AP

Three weeks ago, United already had one hand on a record 20th title after City's defeat at Arsenal left Alex Ferguson's team a hefty eight points clear with only six games remaining.

But a poor run of results from United, which has taken only four points from a possible nine, has suddenly given City the chance to move into first place.

An estimated worldwide television audience of more than 650 million is expected to tune in for a match being hyped as the biggest in Premier League history.

"This is the derby game of all derby games," Ferguson said. "It's in the blood of the supporters and I know lots of fans who would give everything to win this game."

City midfielder Gareth Barry also emphasized the unique nature of the top-of-the-table duel.

"People are speaking of this as being the biggest game in Premier League history and it's a massive game to play in," Barry said.

"I don't think you can get away from the size of the game against United and the pressure."

The equation for City is simple: a victory would see it return to the top of the table.

Wins at Newcastle and at home to Queens Park Rangers would then guarantee City the title, provided United is unable to make up its rivals' significant advantage in goal difference, which currently stands at plus six.

City manager Roberto Mancini has attempted to douse the expectation level by stating that United will remain favorites for the title even if it loses, citing the champions' final two matches against Swansea and Sunderland.

"I think they have more chance than us because we play the derby on Monday, after we play against Newcastle, that will be a very tough game," Mancini said.

Ferguson meanwhile is relishing the challenge from opponents he views as the biggest threat to United's position at the summit of the English game owing to the club's seemingly limitless wealth.

City, which humiliated United 6-1 at Old Trafford in October, has rattled in 12 goals in its past three games, and its nimble strikeforce of Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez will fancy their chances of adding to that haul if Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans have another off-day.

Of all the storylines to emerge from this year's Premier League page-turner, it is the re-emergence of Tevez that is potentially the most compelling.

Ostracized by Mancini after his infamous refusal to warm up during the Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich in September, the former United striker then disappeared to Argentina for three months.

Tevez has responded to his recall by delivering goals, adding an injection of verve to a City forward line that had been struggling to reproduce its scintillating early season form.

Tevez, who is expected to seek a move this summer, will be putting his talents on show to a mammoth worldwide audience, with a record 16 broadcasters airing the match live.

"The interest in this game from around the world is unprecedented," a City spokesman said.

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Manchester United offers Kagawa three-year deal: report

Cologne, Germany — Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa has been offered a three-year contract by Manchester United in the English Premier League, German newspaper Bild said in its Friday edition.

According to Bild, Kagawa, whose Borussia Dortmund team has won back-to-back Bundesliga titles, is being offered a three-year deal worth about ?6 million and "only needs to sign the contract."

Dortmund has apparently made an offer of about ?3 million, double Kagawa's current salary. "That will not be enough for Kagawa," the article said.

In other news, Bild said that Cerezo Osaka midfielder Hiroshi Kiyotake has signed a provisional contract with Nurnberg for a transfer this summer.

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United salvages point with furious fightback

LONDON — Three goals down after 50 minutes at Chelsea, Manchester United produced a trademark comeback to draw 3-3 on Sunday and stay within reach of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

Get a leg up: Chelsea's Jose Bosingwa attempts to kick the ball in front of Manchester United's Antonio Valencia on Sunday in London. The match ended in a 3-3 draw. AP

But even though a point had appeared an unlikely prospect early in the second half, manager Alex Ferguson was still aggrieved.

"It's two dropped points because we played so well," Ferguson said. "Apart from a period of 10 minutes after halftime when we got off to a terrible start and lost two goals, I thought we were the far better team.

"It's not easy coming back from 3-0 and it was a massive effort from our players."

United had inadvertently given Chelsea the lead when Jonny Evans turned the ball into his own net in the first half, and Juan Mata and David Luiz found the net at the start of the second half.

"A lot of teams would have found it easy to put their heads down and accept defeat," Wayne Rooney said. "But we never put our heads down."

The fixture between England's two most successful sides of recent years was marred by some Chelsea fans jeering every touch of United defender Rio Ferdinand, who is black. Chelsea captain John Terry, who was sidelined through injury, is facing a trial for allegedly racially abusing Ferdinand's brother, Queens Park Rangers defender Anton, during a match in October.

"Rio, Rio what's the score?" some Chelsea fans chanted after their third goal came off Rio Ferdinand before going into the net.

"You don't expect opposing fans to cheer your players," Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas told reporters. "This is a normal situation in the Premiership. You have to condemn it when there is discriminatory, aggressive behavior . . . If you want to give importance to situations like this, it's up to you."

Responding later on Twitter to the booing, Ferdinand said: "Well done guys thanks for inspiring me & the lads! That's like fuel to me!"

Evans inadvertently put Chelsea in front in the 36th minute. After racing past Patrice Evra on the right flank, Daniel Sturridge's chipped cross hit United goalkeeper David de Gea's boot and rebounded off Evans' chest into his goal.

De Gea has looked shaky since arriving in the offseason, but was not culpable for Chelsea surging further in front after the break.

After 25 seconds, Mata powered a first-time volley into the net after meeting Fernando Torres' pinpoint cross from the right.

Mata turned provider five minutes later. A free kick from the Spain winger skimmed off Luiz's head and came off Ferdinand's shoulder before landing in the net.

The Blues were cruising — but not for long. The reversal of fortunes came following Hernandez replacing Ashley Young and two penalty decisions.

AMMAN — Japan hit a roadblock on its path to the London Olympics as Takashi Sekizuka's side lost 2-1 to Syria on Sunday, dropping to second in Group C of the Asian zone.

The young Blue Samurai thought they had escaped with a point after Kensuke Nagai equalized in first-half stoppage time, canceling Mohammed Fares' goal.

Syria, though, had saved the best for last as defender Ahmad Al Salih won it on the stroke of the 90th minute with an awesome effort from midfield.

"It's obviously hugely disappointing," Sekizuka said. "I thought both teams did very little in the first half and that the game would come down to the second half — and it did."

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Scholes returns as United edges City in F.A. Cup derby

MANCHESTER, England — The F.A. Cup's Manchester derby left Alex Ferguson seething about United's carelessness and Roberto Mancini hailing City's strength and positive attitude.

The winner of Sunday's third-round contest, though, was Manchester United — just.

Having stormed into a 3-0 lead and seen City captain Vincent Kompany sent off in the first half, United stumbled after the break against the holders before clinging on to win 3-2 and book a trip to Liverpool.

"We were 3-0 up at halftime and we thought we were through," Ferguson said. "(We) took our foot off the pedal."

City hauled itself back into contention after strikes from Aleksandar Kolarov and Sergio Aguero, whose goal came after the ball was given away by United midfielder Paul Scholes hours after he surprisingly came out of retirement.

"It was a careless performance in the second half and we should have been home and dry," Ferguson said. "We made mistakes and you suffer if you make mistakes."

Similar mistakes have seen the champions lose back-to-back Premier League matches to slip three points behind leader City, and despite the defeat, Sunday's game only strengthened Mancini's belief that he will deliver the club's first English title since 1968.

"If we show the same attitude and strength in other games that we showed against United with only 10 men then yes we can win the league," the City manager said. "I said we had to improve and I think we are doing so.

"To play 80 minutes against one of the best teams in Europe with ten men and come so close to saving the game was fantastic."

But United advanced and were also joined in the fourth round Sunday by Chelsea, Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday. Chelsea routed Portsmouth 4-0 after scoring all four goals in the second half, Sunderland won 2-0 at Peterborough, and Sheffield Wednesday beat West Ham 1-0.

At the Etihad Stadium, it seemed that United would avenge its 6-1 league loss to City earlier in the season with its own derby rout after a dominant first half.

Wayne Rooney was rampant two days after being forced to deny he was about to leave United due to a rift with Ferguson, scoring the opener after 10 minutes.

City's day took another turn for the worse inside two minutes when Kompany was sent off by referee Chris Foy for a two-footed low lunge on Nani. City will appeal against the red card to prevent Kompany serving a four-match ban.

United made its man advantage count on the half-hour, as Patrice Evra crossed from the left into a crowded penalty area, and Danny Welbeck took advantage of Samir Nasri's failed clearance to smash a spectacular volley into the net with his back turned toward the goal.

The third came five minutes before the break after Welbeck ran onto Giggs' ball and was tripped by Kolarov in the area. Rooney's penalty was saved by Costel Pantilimon — deputizing for the rested Joe Hart — but the striker headed the rebound into the net.

United was never so comfortable again.

After Patrice Evra fouled Richards, Kolarov curled his free kick into the net just three minutes into the second half.

The much-anticipated return of Scholes then came, but United still had a difficult last 30 minutes.

Within minutes — just after United was denied another penalty when Antonio Valencia was fouled by Kolarov — Scholes gave away the ball to James Milner on the right. Aguero latched on to Milner's cross and buried the ball into the net after Anders Lindegaard spilled his initial shot.

"We had other chances to score in the end and we didn't concede any chances for them to score," Mancini said.

The 37-year-old Scholes announced on Sunday morning that he was returning to the squad seven months after retiring, with United in the midst of an injury crisis.

"I was surprised, we didn't find out until we got to the dressing room," Rooney said. "It gave everyone a lift. He's a fantastic player."

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United shreds City's lead at top with Wigan demolition

LONDON — Manchester United flourished as Manchester City floundered on Monday to wipe out its neighbor's lead in the Premier League title race.

City was left clinging to top spot on goal difference after its expensively assembled attacking unit failed to score in the league for the first time this season in a 0-0 draw at West Bromwich Albion.

Injury-hit United took full advantage, with Dimitar Berbatov's hat trick powering the champions to a second 5-0 rout in a week against Wigan.

"We're really hitting good form now and there's a real goal threat about us from all departments," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "If we're top of the league or joint top with City by New Year's Day, I'll be happy."

Combined with Wednesday's 5-0 thrashing of Fulham, United seems to have shaken off its early Champions League exit earlier this month.

"It was a wakeup call because maybe everyone looked at themselves in the mirror and said, 'We can do much better,' " United defender Patrice Evra said. "What the fans expect of every player, we are doing now."

City and United are 10 points ahead of third-place Tottenham, which plays the first of two games in hand at Norwich on Tuesday.

Chelsea is a point further back in fourth and has all but given up on its title hopes after Fulham condemned its west London rival to a third consecutive 1-1 draw.

Liverpool, three points behind Chelsea in sixth, failed to seize on Chelsea's slip-up, drawing 1-1 at home to bottom-place Blackburn.

Almost halfway through the season, the title race looks more and more like a two-horse race, although City is starting to show signs of weaknesses after setting a record for the best start ever to a Premier League campaign.

Mario Balotelli struck the top of the crossbar from 30 meters at the start of the second half having already had a goal disallowed when he volleyed home only to see an offside flag raised.

Lacking their usual bite, the leaders were frustrated by the hosts, who also hit the goal frame through Jerome Thomas.

"We know it is maybe impossible to stay at the top for 38 games but we will try," City manager Roberto Mancini said. "Maybe if we scored in the first half we would have scored two or three goals."

United achieved even more than that, as Park Ji Sung took just eight minutes to put his team in front, picking a spot in the top right of the net after being picked out by Evra's cutback.

United took full advantage of Wigan's Conor Sammon being sent off for fouling Michael Carrick, with Berbatov — on his second start of the season — holding off Antolin Alcaraz before netting his first of the day.

United had another injury setback at halftime when it lost Jonny Evans, its only fit center back, with a calf injury that is expected to rule him out for two weeks.

Thankfully for United all the pressure was on the Wigan goal. Berbatov latched onto Antonio Valencia's pass before firing a shot beyond Ali Al Habsi.

Valencia got on the scoresheet himself with a low strike before Berbatov completed his hat trick to make up ground on City in the goal difference stakes.

After Park was fouled by Alcaraz, substitute Wayne Rooney allowed Berbatov to net a third from the penalty spot.

"If we win and score goals and keep many clean sheets, like we did tonight, we're going to be at the top of the league at the end of the season," Evra said.

While United's focus is on a 20th league title, Chelsea's is just staying in the four Champions League places.

Juan Mata had put Chelsea in front at the start of the second half, but Clint Dempsey equalized with only Fulham's fifth away goal this season.

At the bottom of the table, Blackburn nudged closer to its relegation rivals by earning a point at Liverpool.

Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam put the ball into his own net on the stroke of halftime after a corner from Morten Gamst Pedersen to give Blackburn a surprising lead.

Maxi Rodriguez spared Liverpool from embarrassment after the break with his 11th goal in his last 12 starts. But even the return of captain Steven Gerrard after a two-month absence with an ankle injury as a second-half substitute couldn't inspire Liverpool to salvage a victory.

Blackburn is just a point behind Bolton, which lost 2-0 to a Newcastle side that had not won in six matches.

Sunderland climbed four points clear of the danger zone with a 1-1 draw at Everton.

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Toure goal keeps City five points clear of United

LONDON — Yaya Toure scored with 16 minutes left Saturday to give Manchester City a 3-2 win at Queens Park Rangers that kept his team five points clear at the top of the English Premier League.

Manchester United looked set to close the gap on its city rival after goals by Edin Dzeko and David Silva had been canceled out by Jay Bothroyd and Heidar Helguson, but Toure headed in Alexsandr Kolarov's leftwing cross to secure a 10th win from 11 league games for City.

United beat Sunderland 1-0 to mark Alex Ferguson's 25th anniversary as manager, while Chelsea kept in touch with the leading sides with a 1-0 win at Blackburn.

Former United defender Wes Brown headed a first-half own-goal, but Ferguson's 1,409th game was more notable for his club's announcement that it had renamed Old Trafford's north stand after him than for anything the players managed on the field.

Frank Lampard's 50th-minute header and a first clean sheet since the opening day of the season kept Chelsea within four points of second-place United. Newcastle remained unbeaten in third place after a 2-1 win over Everton, while Arsenal's resurgence continued with a 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion.

QPR, which beat Chelsea 1-0 in its last home match, surprised City by taking the lead at Loftus Road. Bothroyd followed last weekend's goal at Tottenham with another header, knocking in Joey Barton's 28th-minute free kick for his first home goal of the season.

But the lead lasted only 15 minutes as Dzeko collected a pass by James Milner and evaded Anton Ferdinand before shooting low into the bottom corner for his 10th league goal of the season, just one fewer than Arsenal striker Robin van Persie's leading tally.

Silva put City ahead for the first time seven minutes into the second half, taking a pass from Dzeko and deceiving the QPR defense by shaping to shoot, taking a touch and then firing in a low shot past goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.

Helguson equalized from close range, inadvertently touching in Bothroyd's goal-bound header, but Toure clinched a win that took unbeaten City to 31 points.

An unremarkable game at Old Trafford was settled in the final minute of the first half when Brown headed into his own net on his first return to his former club since leaving in July.

"It was a long day," Ferguson said. "I was worried we wouldn't play well. I thought we were anxious. Sometimes these emotional occasions — which for me it was — get through to them."

United announced its tribute to Ferguson moments ahead of its longest serving manager's 1,409th game with the northwest England club.

Ferguson saw the new sign on the stand for the first time after walking onto the pitch through a guard of honor formed by the two teams.

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United beats Chelsea to all but claim title

MANCHESTER, England — Javier Hernandez netted the 20th goal of a sparkling debut season at Manchester United in a 2-1 victory over Chelsea on Sunday that put his team a point away from a record 19th English title.

The Mexico striker took just 36 seconds to score after Chelsea defender David Luiz failed to intercept Park Ji Sung's through ball. United captain Nemanja Vidic headed in another in the 23rd minute after connecting with Ryan Giggs' cross.

Frank Lampard pulled one back for Chelsea in the second half after Branislav Ivanovic flicked on Ramires' cross.

"We could've scored six in the second half, but we expected a tough game and we got a tough game," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "We were brilliant — we got a great start but (Petr) Cech made some fantastic saves. When we gave the ball away for their goal, we were a bit nervy but the fans helped us."

United is now six points clear of Chelsea with two games to go and will regain the Premier League trophy from the London club with at least a draw at Blackburn on Saturday.

Ferguson constantly reminds his players — and has taunted rivals in the past — about how easy it is to fail with victory in sight by recalling the 1956 British Grand National.

Devon Loch was 40 meters from the winning post in the famous steeplechase when he collapsed to become one of the most infamous losers in British sporting history.

"Don't even mention Devon Loch — my dad backed that," Ferguson said.

But the 69-year-old Scot is already celebrating a 12th Premier League triumph and United surpassing the English record of 18 league titles it has held with Liverpool since 2009.

"It's fantastic to be the most successful team in the country," he said. "The minute we won that first title in 1992 the door opened, and we've been involved in the first two all throughout that period — it's a fantastic achievement.

"For the last 17 or 18 years it's been Arsenal and Chelsea as our nearest challengers, and the last few years it's been Chelsea. Arsenal made a great attempt this year but them losing today has finalized it. We deserve the title and hopefully we'll get that point now."

United stamped its authority on Chelsea from kickoff, having already knocked Carlo Ancelotti's side out of the Champions League in the quarterfinals.

Giggs sent Park sprinting up the pitch and when Luiz missed his through ball, Hernandez coolly slotted past Cech.

Giggs was also heavily involved in United's second. The Welsh midfielder played a short corner and then retook possession, nipped neatly past Salomon Kalou and provided the perfect cross for Vidic to direct a downward header past Cech.

Lampard kept the game alive by steering in Ivanovic's header in the 68th, but Chelsea already looked beaten.

"In the first minute we lost the game, we started so badly," Ancelotti said. "It was very difficult after that to come back and try to win. The second half was better but United played better and deserved to win.

"We have to accept the defeat, today United were better and in general this season they were better than us."

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