Wayne Rooney produced another match-winning performance for
Manchester United as he took his tally for the season to 27 by
bagging a double against West Ham.
Michael Owen scored for the first time since that hat-trick
at Wolfsburg in December as the Red Devils closed to within a point
of Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea.
But Owen's late effort was a mere footnote compared to
Rooney's contribution.
The 24-year-old has been set a conservative target of 30 by
Sir Alex Ferguson.
At this rate he will eclipse the 42 that helped turn
Cristiano Ronaldo into the world's best player two years ago.
Where the Red Devils would be without the striker does not
bear thinking about. Little wonder Ferguson once again opted to
stick with him against supposedly lesser opposition on home soil
when probably, he could do with a rest, however minimal.
The wisdom of the selection was proved just before half-time
when Rooney planted his diving header into the corner of Robert
Green's goal.
It would be churlish to exclude Dimitar Berbatov and Antonio
Valencia from praise given the Bulgarian's excellent crossfield
pass and an even better volleyed cross to the far post from the
South American.
But Rooney was the man who had shifted into space, Rooney who
had to finish. There was never any prospect of him failing.
In a very similar manner to his opener, Rooney found himself
in splendid isolation when Berbatov released Valencia with another
excellent pass in the build up to the second.
Once again the cross was inviting. Once again Rooney sent it
past Green.
For a player of his class, his finishes had been routine.
Owen grabbed the third after an inspired through ball from
Paul Scholes.
It was Owen's eighth of the season, only one short of
Berbatov's tally.
A long way behind Rooney though. And the gap is going to get
wider yet.
