Man United eases to 2-0 Premier League win at QPR

Published Dec. 18, 2011 2:20 p.m. ET

foxsports

Defending champion Manchester United eased to a 2-0 Premier League win at Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, keeping up the pressure on Manchester City with a third straight victory.

Wayne Rooney headed United into the lead in the first minute and the visitors created a string of chances before Michael Carrick added a second goal 11 minutes into the second half, carrying the ball from halfway to score with a low shot from the edge of the area.

United's seven-match unbeaten run in the league has lifted the defending champions to 39 points from 16 matches, five more than at the same stage last season - when it went on to win a record 19th English league title.

Rooney scored his 15th goal of the season - and 12th in the Premier League - after just 52 seconds. The England striker headed the ball out to Antonio Valencia on the right and continued his run into the box to meet Valencia's cross with a stooping header into the net.

Carrick got the crucial second goal that made the game safe. The England midfielder intercepted Joey Barton's pass just inside the United half and advanced to the edge of the area to hit a low shot past goalkeeper Radek Cerny for his first goal in almost two years.

United could easily have scored more, with Phil Jones hitting the post and a couple of moves breaking down on the final pass.

But QPR did go close through Heidar Helguson and substitute DJ Campbell missed with a close-range volley.