Manchester United closes in on Arsenal
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-02 08:28

Manchester United moved within a point of second-place Arsenal after a 4-0 victory at Charlton on Sunday.

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (L) vies with Charlton's Talal El Karkouri (R) during their premiership match in London. Manchester United won 4-0. [AFP]

Goals by Paul Scholes, Darren Fletcher, Alan Smith and Wayne Rooney overpowered ailing Charlton. The loss could have been worse had it not been for the standout saves of rookie Danish goalkeeper Stephan Andersen.

Although Chelsea clinched the Premier League title Saturday, the Reds can still finish second. The victory gave Manchester United 73 points through 35 games. Arsenal has 74 through 34 and plays relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion on Monday.

Just three weeks before the FA Cup final against Arsenal, United manager Alex Ferguson benched Tim Howard and the American goalkeeper watched as his replacement, Roy Carroll, make two impressive saves.

"What I want to do is make sure the two of them are getting plenty of football behind them," Ferguson said. "And when it comes to Cup final day, I hope I pick the right one."

Frederic Kanoute scored twice as Tottenham defeated Aston Villa 5-1 to move up to seventh in the standings and closer to a place in next season's UEFA Cup. Defenders Ledley King and Stephen Kelly and midfielder Andy Reid also scored.

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