Manchester United Dugout

The team that lacked the leaders a week ago, now leads the way for others to follow. Manchester United scored a late late winner at The Reebok to move 1 point clear of Liverpool and capture the top spot for the first time this season.

Dimitar Berbatov scored the winner late in the match by heading Carlos Tevez's cross past the Bolton goalie. Tevez was lucky enough to run with that ball supplied by Giggs as 3 players collided for the same. But Tevez keen to impress Sir Alex to extend his tenure at the club, marched on fearlessly and crossed it just in time for Berbatov to head in. Jussi Jaaskelainen was the most frustrated man on the field. His heroics for 90 minutes had kept United at bay and it looked as if the match would end in a draw. With saves from Cristiano Ronaldo, Scholes and Carrick, Jaaskelainen was doing everything to prevent United from scoring.

But alas, United did score late. Sir Alex also looked happy with the late drama that he witnessed. Five consecutive wins now have United at the head of affairs, piling the pressure on Liverpool ahead of Monday's Merseyside derby at Anfield. Rafael Benitez might be repenting for his words against Fergie as United have taken Liverpool head on. When they touched down after their successful Club World Cup quest in Japan they were seven points adrift of their fierce north-west rivals. Liverpool should note the statistic with alarm. Also, United maintained another clean sheet to equal Chelsea's record of 10 consecutive clean sheets.

The Brazilian maestro Kaka, who is currently a target for Manchester City has said that he would love to play for the Red Devils. He said he loves English football and Manchester. But he would like to move to the red side of Manchester and not the blue.

Kaka rates Manchester United and Arsenal as the best teams in England and Europe. He described the two giants as the most "agile teams" in England. Manchester City's stunning £108 million bid has surprised everyone and forced AC Milan to capitalize on the situation. Even Sir Alex was shocked and surprised at such a heavy bid for a single player.

Meanwhile Premier League Champions Manchester United take on Bolton Wanderers today to hit the front of the race for the title for the first time this season. Victory at The Reebok Stadium would lift United one point clear of Liverpool, who are not in action until Monday night when they host Merseyside rivals Everton. With Rooney injured, Carlos Tevez should surely get a chance to start up front with Berbatov.

Another milestone that United would like to achieve would be a clean sheet. The Red Devils are one clean sheet away from equaling Chelsea's record for most number of consecutive clean sheets. Edwin van der Sar has gone 852 minutes without conceding in the Barclays Premier League since Samir Nasri put the ball past him in November last year. I hope United wins and moves top of the table because once that is done, it would be very difficult for any team to knock United off the top. Glory glory Man United!

Defending champions Manchester United gained their first Premier League home win of the season - after beating near neighbors Bolton 2-0.

The first half ended goal less with both sides just managing to find the target unsuccessfully. Midway through the second half, Rob Styles awarded a controversial penalty to the home side after Cristiano Ronaldo appeared to have been thwarted by Jlloyd Samuel. Ronaldo converted the spot kick and the penalty decision shocked Trotters and they began to lose the grip over the game. Wayne Rooney's excellent finish 11 minutes from time doubled United's lead, giving the wonder kid his first goal of the season.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson admitted that his side got lucky with the penalty against Bolton. Even he accepted Styles had got the penalty decision wrong, but showed no sympathy towards the ref. Sir Alex said, "Rob Styles turned us down four or five times last year so maybe it is payback time. But he still owes us another four."

This win against Bolton puts the champions in the top half of the table, with more fireworks to come.