Rooney steers United to victory

Two Wayne Rooney headers led Manchester United to a 3-0 win over West Ham United at Old Trafford yesterday, taking the champions within a point of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League.

Rooney, who also scored two headers when United beat Milan in the Champions League last week, took his tally for the season to 27.

The England striker put United ahead after 38 minutes when he headed home Antonio Valencia's excellent volley cross to the far post after Dimitar Berbatov had picked the Ecuadorian out with an excellent crossfield pass.

United doubled their lead on 55 minutes when Valencia raced onto Berbatov's fine pass before sending a perfect cross for Rooney to apply the finish with his head from close range.

Berbatov and Rooney left the field to give Michael Owen and Mame Biram Diouf a run.

Owen quickly made an impression, running onto Scholes' pass before beating Green with clinical ease.