United win derby to close on title

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MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester United moved to within touching distance of clinching the English Premier League title with a 1-0 victory over Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday.

Cristiano Ronaldo's first half penalty after the Portuguese winger had been tripped by Michael Ball settled the 147th Manchester derby, but United owed their three points to a late penalty save by Dutch international Edwin van der Saar.

City were awarded an 80th minute spot kick after Ball had gone down under a challenge by Wes Brown.

Former England international Darius Vassell struck his penalty down the center but van der Saar reacted to save with his legs.

United, who move eight points clear of reigning champions Chelsea, will reclaim the title if Jose Mourinho's men fail to beat London rivals Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

A delighted United manager Alex Ferguson told Sky Sports: "It was all down to courage, the courage they showed today was fantastic.

"You saw the real Manchester United today, there was tiredness there and our game wasn't as sharp as normal, but derby games can be like that."

United, were certainly rarely at their best after their midweek Champions League disappointment against AC Milan, but might been ahead before their 34th minute penalty fit-again Rio Ferdinand hit the crossbar with aheaded effort at the far post.

With Ferdinand back to give added reassurance to the United defense, City rarely threatened as their goal drought continued.

It was City's eighth successive home league match without a goal and their tally of 10 goals in 19 matches is the worst ever in the top flight.

The previous record was shared by Woolwich Arsenal, who scored 11 in 19 matches in 1912-13 and Sunderland, who also scored 11 in 19 matches in 2002-03.

City had also missed a penalty in last week's home match against Aston Villa. Their 19 home matches produced five wins, six draws and eight defeats.

City last scored a home league goal in a 2-1 win over Everton on New Year's Day, when Giorgios Samaras converted a 72nd-minute penalty.

Ronaldo had been kept quiet, but his trickery drew a clumsy challenge from Ball and he easily dispatched the spot kick past Andreas Isaksson for his 23rd goal of the season.

Ball, who was lucky to punishment for an apparent stamp on Ronaldo in the opening moments, ironically gave City their best chance of salvaging a point as he burst into United's penalty area to be baulked by Brown.

United protested Rob Styles' penalty award, but Vassell could not finish the job for the disappointing home side.

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