‘Loss will fire us up’

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes his team will come out stronger after Saturday night’s 0-1 loss to Bolton Wanderers, their first in eleven games this season

LONDON: Sir Alex Ferguson predicted Manchester United will respond to their shock 1-0 defeat at Bolton with another long unbeaten run.

Ferguson was sent to the stands for berating referee Mark Clattenburg as United lost for the first time in 11 league matches. Nicolas Anelka’s first half goal gave Bolton the lead in a stormy clash at the Reebok Stadium and United, without injured striker Wayne Rooney and rested winger Cristiano Ronaldo, were unable to respond. The champions last tasted league defeat in the Manchester derby on August 19 and Ferguson’s frustration was clear as he argued with Clattenburg at half-time over what he perceived as Bolton’s over-aggressive tactics.

United are now three points behind Arsenal but the Scot is convinced it will be a long time before they lose again. “We do not like losing but sometimes you have to take defeats, it is part of the game,” Ferguson said. “We have players of great quality and I am sure we will bounce back. Hopefully we can go on another long run like the one we’ve had since we lost at City.”

Arsenal moved clear of second-placed United as goals from William Gallas and Tomas Rosicky in the final seven minutes clinched a 2-0 win over Wigan at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsene Wenger’s side found it hard to break down Wigan but eventually took the lead when captain Gallas headed home in the 83rd minute. Rosicky’s goal two minutes later ensured Wigan, watched by their new manager Steve Bruce, slumped to a seventh successive defeat. Wenger said: “Wigan defended absolutely brilliantly for 90 minutes but we managed to find the special resources we have. This team has great mental strength.”

Chelsea remain in fourth place after goals from Salomon Kalou and Shaun Wright-Phillips earned a 2-0 win at Derby that was marred by Michael Essien’s stoppage-time dismissal. Kalou’s cool finish opened the scoring in the 17th minute and Wright-Phillips bagged his first club goal of the season in the closing stages to extend Chelsea’s unbeaten run under Avram Grant to 12 matches. Essien saw red when he swung an elbow at Kenny Miller in the last minute.

Steven Gerrard’s stunning strike put Liverpool on course for a stylish 3-0 win against Newcastle. Gerrard broke the deadlock at St James’ Park with a fierce long-range effort in the 28th minute and Dirk Kuyt’s close range effort a minute after half-time left Rafa Benitez’s side in complete control. Liverpool added a third in the 66th minute when Ryan Babel side-footed home Gerrard’s pass.

Aston Villa gave Martin O’Neill the perfect gift after he committed his future to the club as they beat Middlesbrough 3-0 at the Riverside Stadium. O’Neill was one of the favourites for the vacant England job but he insists he won’t turn his back on Villa.

His players responded as Gareth Barry’s 45th minute cross picked out John Carew and the Norway striker lashed his shot past Mark Schwarzer. Villa increased their lead when Olof Mellberg drove in his first goal since August 2006 in the 48th minute before Gabriel Agbonlahor put the result beyond doubt in the 58th minute.

Australia midfielder Tim Cahill’s double strike helped Everton claim their biggest win of the season as they demolished Sunderland 7-1 at Goodison Park.

Cahill took his tally to five goals in seven games since he returned from a broken foot as Everton extended their unbeaten in run to seven matches. David Moyes’s side raced into a two-goal lead through Yakubu’s 12th minute goal and Cahill’s effort five minutes.

South African midfielder Steven Pienaar smashed in the third after 43 minutes before Sunderland pulled one back through Dwight Yorke. Cahill got his second the 62nd minute, Yakubu made it five after 73 minutes and Andy Johnson and Leon Osman completed the rout.