Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

[dc7176]

Originally Posted by alex18122003

Before the game the message was to believe. Now you can. United are going to Moscow

And what sweet irony it is that Paul Scholes, the man who along with Roy Keane missed the Champions League final in 1999, scored the goal to take United there.

Thanks to his goal


Our ticket to Moscow

[alex18122003]

Premier League - Rooney "fit" for Saturday

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wayne Rooney could come into contention against West Ham on Saturday at Old Trafford.

The England striker sat out the Champions League victory over Barcelona, which saw the club secure a place in the final, because of a hip injury.

Ferguson will monitor Rooney's fitness over the next few days and said: "He may have a chance for Saturday.

"We just cancelled him out yesterday, he was in a lot of pain.

"It was his hip joint, he was never close to playing. It was out of the question.

"He will be a lot better in a few days and involved on Saturday somewhere along the line."

Patrice Evra is expected to recover from a knock but Nemanja Vidic remains doubtful with a facial injury.

The Serbian, like Rooney, missed the game against Barcelona after being hurt in a collision with Didier Drogba in the defeat by Chelsea at the weekend.

Ferguson said: "Vidic is under the control of the doctor. He got a bit of concussion, so we have to be careful of that. He may have a chance for Saturday."

United, in sight of a glorious league and Champions League double, are aiming to keep up the pressure on Chelsea on Saturday as their rivals do not face Newcastle until Monday.

[alex18122003]

Fergie two motivated, says Curbs

West Ham boss Alan Curbishley reckons Sir Alex Ferguson wants to on claim at least two more Premier League titles before he retires.The 66-year-old Scot - who was originally due to retire in 2002 - has guided his side to the top of the table with just a couple of games left and also into the Champions League final, also against title rivals Chelsea.

Curbishley takes his men to Old Trafford on Saturday looking to emulate their famous victory on the final day of last season which kept the Hammers up against all odds.

However, the stakes for United this time around are much higher as a win would all but secure a 17th league championship for the club - just one behind Liverpool's long-standing record.

Hammers boss Curbishley is in no doubt of the legacy Ferguson is determined to leave when he eventually does vacate the Old Trafford hotseat after more than 20 seasons at the helm.

"I think Sir Alex is looking at going one better than Liverpool's trophy record," said the West Ham manager.

"Since United won the Champions League the last time, that has also been something which is driving him on.

"The players he has brought into Old Trafford are young and that is what has fuelled his enthusiasm."

Curbishley, 50, has a good relationship with the United manager, which stretches back to his time at Charlton when Ferguson visited the south-east London club for an FA Youth Cup tie.

At the time they had just returned to The Valley and were changing in Portakabins. The pair are also both involved in the Nordoff-Robbins music therapy charity.

"Sir Alex is the sort of manager who is tremendously busy and occupied, but has always got time to return calls," said the West Ham boss.

"With the League Manager's Association, he sees his role as helping the next generation of managers improve their lot. He not doing it for himself, he is trying to help the managers in the lower leagues who perhaps have contracts that are not worth the paper they're written on try and get the better benefits for the managers, where the lifespan is becoming increasingly short.

"So with all the commitments he has elsewhere, the other managers really appreciate that."

But the Hammers boss will not be ready to hand out any favours to Ferguson this weekend - having beaten the Red Devils in their last three meetings.

He said: "Alex is well aware that teams raise their game against Manchester United; the atmosphere changes somewhat.

"Last year when we went there we had to get something there to survive and they had already finished their season, were waiting for the cup final - this time they are looking to get something."

Argentina striker Carlos Tevez was the Hammers hero at Old Trafford last May, but has since joined United.

Curbishley said: "During the run-in, Carlos played a big part.

"He has now gone to a club, where the big thing is 'can you handle Old Trafford?' .

"That's what Sir Alex looks at.

"Carlos has got that in his locker with his experience and everything else.

"When we played them at Upton Park, Carlos was very generous coming in and speaking to the players.

"I am sure we will get the same reaction this weekend - and nobody at West Ham is ever going to forget Carlos Tevez."

Curbishley has seen his injury woes increased with the loss of midfielder Freddie Ljungberg because of a cracked rib following a collision in the Newcastle game last week.

"There is a big disappointment with that because once we have seen it again, we think [Steven] Taylor could have done a bit more to avoid it," said the Hammers boss.

"He has landed on him and that caused the damage."

[alex18122003]

Former England defender Paul Parker says his former club Manchester United must lay down the attacking gauntlet to defeat Chelsea in Moscow.

"If Man Utd play the way they do week in week out in the Premier League they will win the Champions League final. They must attack, play their game and go for the win. If they try to match Chelsea like for like, they'll lose out. That's what happened in last year's FA Cup final. Both sides cancelled each other out and Chelsea won it.

I expect United to go 4-4-1-1, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney up front, but Carlos Tevez is going to be hard to leave out. He was phenomenal on Tuesday and he's scored some really vital goals this year - so maybe the option is to play Rooney on the left of the midfield. The problem with that is he'll run all over the place and could tire easily.

Chelsea have been one of the most unadventurous sides in Europe, but the way they play suits the Champions League. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a fairly dour match in Moscow. Both sides will not want to lose, and it's a long way home if you're beaten. So it's bound to be cagey.

Chelsea's biggest threats are Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba. United won't want to man-mark Lampard, but if they can stop his link-up play with Drogba, and leave the striker isolated they can stop Chelsea's attacking threat.

United haven't been good away from home in Europe this season, and you have to wonder if they'd have made it through the group stages if they'd faced more testing opposition.

It's going to be a big night for Paul Scholes, who I know well from my days at Old Trafford. I can't imagine how he felt missing the '99 final through suspension, but this will go some way to making up for it. I remember in my United days missing much of the 94/95 season through injury and it was really tough, but it doesn't compare to missing a big final.

I'm pleased Ronaldo won the PFA Player of the Year award, he really deserved it. What I can't understand is how he missed out on the Young Player of the Year prize. Cesc Fabregas has gone off the boil recently and nobody has come close to Ronaldo."

[yinyang]

Hope Roon makes it, conflicting news if he plays sat or not. Football Channel blurb says no, but BBC's more upbeat

Rooney will play against West Ham

Rooney aggravated a hip injury against Chelsea last weekend. Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will return for the club's crucial match against West Ham on Saturday.

The striker sat out Tuesday's Champions League win over Barcelona with a hip injury but Sir Alex Ferguson is confident he will return to fitness.

"We just cancelled him out [against Barcelona]. He was in a lot of pain," the double title chasing manager said.

"He will be a lot better in a few days and involved on Saturday somewhere along the line."

Patrice Evra left the field on a stretcher during injury-time at Old Trafford on Tuesday but is expected to recover from a knock in time to face West Ham.

But Nemanja Vidic remains doubtful with the face injury that ruled him out against Barcelona. Ferguson said: "Vidic is under the control of the doctor. He got a bit of concussion, so we have to be careful of that. He may have a chance for Saturday."

[yinyang]

United are locked on points with Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table, but have a vastly superior goal difference. They will be aiming to keep up the pressure on their rivals, whose next match against Newcastle is not until Monday.

BIG-MATCH FACTS
Manchester United continue the quest for a first Champions League and Premier League double since 1998-99.

Victory over West Ham, coupled with defeat for Chelsea at Newcastle on Monday, would effectively give the Red Devils a record 10th Premier League title. Mathematically Sir Alex Ferguson's side would need another point to retain the crown, but such is their superior goal difference over the Blues, it's worth one more point to them, and the celebrations would begin on Monday night, if that scenario is played out. Manchester United are on the brink of being hailed champions of England for the 17th time in their history.

The title issue will not officially be decided until the last Sunday, when United go to Wigan, Chelsea host Bolton and Arsenal visit Sunderland. If the Gunners pick up six points out of six, and Manchester United and Chelsea lose both their games, Arsene Wenger's club would claim an unlikely fourth Premier League championship.

West Ham have been a thorn in United's side in recent years, and are vying for a fourth successive victory over the defending champions. They need a win to cement a top-half finish for the seventh time in 13 seasons in this league, and a sixth top 10 finish in nine years.

United lost their last league match, 2-1 away to Chelsea last Saturday when they could have all but tied up the title. Now they must avoid tumbling to their first back-to-back defeats in 117 Premier League outings.

West Ham pulled off a shock 2-1 victory over Manchester United on 29 December, which puts them on course for a second successive double over the Red Devils.

CLUB FORM
MANCHESTER UNITED
Club stats
Fixtures
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 1st
Lowest could realistically fall: 1st

All statistics and sequences refer to the Premier League only, unless otherwise stated.

1. Lost one of the last 12 in all competitions.

2. The 2-1 defeat, away to Chelsea last Saturday, ended a nine match unbeaten league run of seven wins and two draws.

3. Secured 25 victories, scored 74 goals, at one every 44 minutes on average, and conceded 21, at one every 154 minutes (two hours 34 minutes); the best in all three categories.

4. Victory in their last two games would give them a maximum of 87 points - their third highest in a 38-game Premier League.

5. Kept the joint highest number of clean sheets with Chelsea (20 each), and dropped the same number of points (27), which is fewer than any other clubs.

6. Opened the scoring in an unmatched 27 games (won 23, and lost just one of them); and allowed the opposition to score first in eight matches - that's fewer occasions than any other club.

7. Scored 17 goals in the last 10 minutes; more than any other club.

8. On the longest current run since a goalless draw of 35 matches; and the longest since failing to score of 22 matches.

9. Won all four home games against London clubs this season, and lost one of the last eight, spanning the seasons; 0-1 to West Ham on 13 May 2007. In danger of suffering successive defeats to London clubs (home and away), but not lost back-to-back matches in the Premier League since beaten away to Norwich and Everton on 9 and 20 April 2005 respectively.

10. Won 16 of the last 17 home games, and lost one of 18; 1-2 to Manchester City on 10 February. Won the last four league games at Old Trafford against Bolton, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Arsenal, and conceded one goal in those four games. Kept clean sheets in six of the last eight at the Theatre of Dreams.

WEST HAM UNITED
Club stats
Fixtures
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 10th
Lowest could fall: 10th

All statistics and sequences refer to the Premier League only, unless otherwise stated.

1. Won one of the last six (2-1, home to Derby on 19 April), and won two of 10.

2. Already bagged seven more points than in total for the whole of last season.

3. Their 36 games have produced just 83 goals (39 for, 44 against). At 2.31, it is the second lowest goals per game return in the division - just slightly better than Wigan's of 2.25.

4. Completed 26 matches without a goalless draw; since the visit to Portsmouth on 27 October.

5. Only two of their 39 goals have come direct from outside the penalty area.

6. Won two and lost three of the last five against the 'Big Four'. The most recent two were both 0-4 defeats, home to Chelsea, and away to Liverpool.

7. Won one of the last five against North-West opposition (2-1, home to Blackburn on 15 March), and picked up just two points out of a last possible 15 from trips to the region since a 0-1 victory over Blackburn at Ewood Park on 9 December 2007.

8. The season ends, home to Aston Villa.

KEY PLAYER NOTES
MANCHESTER UNITED
Cristiano RONALDO is Manchester United's top scorer with 38 goals.

The Portuguese is also United's leading Premier League marksman with 28, and in pole position for the Barclays Golden Boot, four goals ahead of Emmanuel ADEBAYOR of Arsenal.

RONALDO is unlikely now to equal Denis LAW's club record 46 goals in the 1963-64 season, and with only three games remaining will be hard pressed to catch Ruud VAN NISTELROOY's 44-goal haul in 2002-03.

Between them, RONALDO, Carlos TEVEZ and Wayne ROONEY have scored 74 of Manchester United's 103 goals this season in all competitions, and 53 of their 74 (72%) in the Premier League.

Ryan GIGGS is still on course to equal Bobby Charlton's all time appearance record for Manchester United before the season is out. The Wales international will match Charlton's 759 appearances, if he plays a part in each of United's three remaining matches.

If selected:-

Mikael SILVESTRE will be making his 250th Premier League appearance for Manchester United.

Rio FERDINAND will be facing the club where he began his professional career. The 29 year old prospective England captain made 158 appearances (127 in the league) and scored two league goals for the Upton Park club in five years from November 1995, until his £18m move to Leeds.

Michael CARRICK will also be opposing the club where he was a trainee. The 26 year old England international made 159 appearances (136 in the league) and scored six League goals in six seasons for the Eastenders until his £3m move to Tottenham in August 2004.

Carlos TEVEZ will be facing former club-mates. The 24 year old Argentina international made 29 appearances (26 in the league) and scored seven league goals for West Ham last season.

If on the field from the outset:-

Long term injury, Gary NEVILLE will be making his 350th Premier League start for Manchester United.

Chris EAGLES will be making his 50th club league start (Manchester United, Watford and Sheffield Wednesday).

WEST HAM UNITED
Dean ASHTON is West Ham's top scorer with nine goals.

ASHTON is also the Hammers' top Premier League marksmen with eight.

The club's Premier League goal-scorers list is predominately comprised of English players (10 of 14).

Robert GREEN is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of West Ham's Premier League matches this season.

Lee BOWYER is a double shy of 50 career Premier League goals (Leeds, Newcastle and West Ham).

Nol SOLANO needs a double to total 50 Premier League goals (Newcastle, Aston Villa and West Ham).

Fredrik LJUNGBERG is two shy of 50 Premier League goals (Arsenal and West Ham).

If selected:-

ASHTON will be making his 50th appearance for the Hammers.

James COLLINS will be making his 100th career league appearance (Cardiff and West Ham).

Jonathan SPECTOR will be facing the club where he started his professional career, making eight appearances (three in the League) for United before joining West Ham for £500,000 in June 2006, after a loan spell with Charlton.


HEAD TO HEAD
Last season's double over Manchester United, was West Ham's first over them since 1976-77 when Alan Curbishley was a West Ham player.

It took the Hammers 17 Premier League matches to gain their first victory over United. Now they're enjoying their best winning streak over them since four on the spin between 1932 and 1934.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Man United 45 wins, West Ham 37, Draws 23
Prem: Man United 14 wins, West Ham 4, Draws 7

at Man Utd only
League (inc PL): Man United 34 wins, West Ham 12, Draws 6
Prem: Man United 10 wins, West Ham 2, Draws 0

LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Manchester United 0-1 West Ham United
13 May 2007 - Ref: Martin Atkinson
West Ham scorer: Tevez 45

THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
West Ham United 2-1 Manchester United
29 December 2007 - Ref: Mike Dean
West Ham scorers: Ferdinand 77, Upson 82
Man Utd scorer: Ronaldo 14

REFEREE
Mike Riley (Leeds, Yorkshire)

[Cum_Luver]

brothers and Man Utd's fans,
dun worri,now that West Ham is already safe from the drop and CL's final spot is secure.
no favour will be shown. Alan is also an very very good friend of Alex. He still ask Alex for advise and opinions.
this match is so important to Man Utd,whether Rooney plays or not,i believe Man Utd has the players to go all out and win this match.

but dun know whether between Man Utd and Chelsea,they will make an "under" arrangement,maybe each one will take one lor.

this is just my 2 cents opinions.

[Cum_Luver]

first half finishing soon and Man Utd leading 3-1,with C.Ronaldo getting a double and you guess who scored,right Carlos Tevez gets the other one.
Nani is sent off,but the match is already been won unless there is a miracle fight back from West Ham.

more for Grant to say liao.

[alex18122003]

Man Utd 3 West Ham 1 (HALF TIME)

Man Utd: Van der S, Hargreaves, Brown, Ferdinand, Evra, Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Park, Ronaldo, Tevez. Goals: Ronaldo 3, 24, Tevez 26

West Ham: Green, Pantsil, Tomkins, Neill, McCartney, Noble, Parker, Mullins, Boa Morte, Ashton, Zamora. Goal: Ashton 29



Ref: M Riley

Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez fired United into a three-goal lead before Dean Ashton's overhead kick completed a frantic opening half-hour.

The Portuguese winger drilled a third- minute opener low past Robert Green, before he bundled in his 40th of the season (24) and Tevez swerved in a spectacular 30-yarder (26).

But Ashton (29) capitalised on some poor defending to finish from 12 yards.

[alex18122003]

Fergie feels United are close to title

Sir Alex Ferguson acknowledged Manchester United have a "big chance" of wrapping up the Premier League title after their 4-1 rout of West Ham.Two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and strikes from Carlos Tevez and Michael Carrick moved United a step closer to the title at Old Trafford, with Dean Ashton scoring the Hammers' consolation.

Victory at Wigan next Sunday will confirm United as champions but the coronation may come even earlier as Chelsea now need to get something - and almost certainly win - at Newcastle on Monday to fight on until the final day.

Ferguson, whose team lost Nani to a red card, told Sky Sports: "It's been a great day for us and we've got a big chance.

"Our players have been absolutely fantastic this season. We were down to 10 men and I said to try to run the clock down, keep possession and be patient in the second half and I'm very pleased because there was a bit of tiredness."

The Scot had no complaints about Nani's foolish sending-off for headbutting Lucas Neill, vowing to "deal with it".

On Monday's clash at St James' Park, Ferguson said: "The way Chelsea have been talking is that it'll be easy up there - but we know that's not the case.

"Look at Dean Ashton. He was a United fan as a kid but scored a goal which could kill our hopes."

On Ronaldo he added: "Cristiano has had a fantastic season and he develops all the time.

"There was a terrible tackle on him but he keeps getting up and playing with courage and you've got to applaud that."

Ryan Giggs came on as a substitute to move within one game of equalling Sir Bobby Charlton's revised appearance record of 758.

It means he would break the record if he plays at Wigan and also in the Champions League final, and Ferguson said there was a "good chance, a very good chance" of it happening.

The Welshman himself said: "It would mean more to win the Champions League and the Premier League.

"Personal records are things to look back on when you finish you career.

"Yes, it would be a proud moment if I do it but the main thing now is trophies."

[alex18122003]

After their midweek caution, Manchester United returned to their usual swashbuckling selves with a raucous 4-1 win against West Ham.

Where to begin?

Two goals by Cristiano Ronaldo, taking him to 30 in the Premier League and 40 in all competitions?

A quite magnificent 30-yard screamer by West Ham old boy Carlos Tevez?

An overhead kick of equal brilliance from reported Manchester United target Dean Ashton?

Or Nani's red card for a stupid and feeble headbutt aimed at Lucas Neill?

All this took place in a breathless first half that saw United romp to a three-goal lead before Ashton and Nani caused bums to squeak around Old Trafford.

But a goal from another Upton Park old boy, Michael Carrick, helped United hold on for a win that takes them closer to their 10th Premier League title in 16 season.

Barring a freak of goal difference, a win at Wigan next Sunday will do it for Sir Alex Ferguson's men. Maybe less if Chelsea slip up at Newcastle on Monday.

The home side lined up without Wayne Rooney, who could miss the rest of the season with a possible hernia, and Nemanja Vidic, who is still recovering from that Didier Drogba boot to the face.

West Ham have developed into something of a bogey team for United under Alan Curbishley, winning their last three against them.

But Ronaldo, coming off a four-game goal 'drought', settle nerves with just three minutes on the clock.

Cutting inside from the right, he left Neill on his backside and took advantage of George McCartney's backing off, scudding a low shot in via the shins of James Tomkins.

United's 1-0 win against Barcelona came via an unfamiliar brand of football, letting their opponents dominate possession and getting men behind the ball.

Normal service resumed as they kept the ball for minutes at a time, taunting and teasing their visitors.

It was one such spell that led to the second goal on 24 minutes, as the hosts passed the Hammers into submission.

By the time Owen Hargreaves delivered his left-foot cross Neill, Tomkins and John Pantsil were in such a daze they all let the ball float over them to Ronaldo, who finished untidily from close range.

Tevez is still adored by Hammers fans for his role in keeping them afloat last term, and even the visiting supporters applauded his goal two minutes later.

The Argentinian shimmied inside from the left and gave Robert Green no chance with a swerving, dipping drive from long range. Given the majesty of his goal, Tevez showed commendable restraint and respect in subduing his celebrations.

Just as the game seemed over, the excitement went up yet another notch. An unconvincing Wes Brown backheader gave Ashton a sniff, and the bleach-blond striker slammed a brilliant bicycle kick into the top-left corner.

In scoring the goal, Ashton gave himself a buttock injury that forced him off early in the second half.

It was an attempt to emulate Ashton that led to Nani's red card. The winger totally miscued his effort, bringing a caustic response from Neill.

The Australian is programmed to wind up opponents and it worked perfectly, bringing a weak headbutt from Nani, who then shamefully collapsed holding his own face.

He will be suspended for next weekend's trip to Wigan, although the performance may have seen him dropped anyway.

United slowed the pace after the break, but there was still time for Carrick to put the result beyond doubt.

He picked the ball up on halfway and nobody challenged until Neill at the edge of the box, who could only redirect Carrick's shot past the helpless Green.

[LiverPOO]

Originally Posted by alex18122003

After their midweek caution, Manchester United returned to their usual swashbuckling selves with a raucous 4-1 win against West Ham.

Where to begin?

It was an attempt to emulate Ashton that led to Nani's red card. The winger totally miscued his effort, bringing a caustic response from Neill.

The Australian is programmed to wind up opponents and it worked perfectly, bringing a weak headbutt from Nani, who then shamefully collapsed holding his own face.

He will be suspended for next weekend's trip to Wigan, although the performance may have seen him dropped anyway.

Neil 'caressed' Nani from the back with his knee and if that wasnt enough to get an erection from Nani, Neil then bent over and groped Nani's manhood.

Nani reacted like most of us will when our jewels are groped by a guy!!!



Neil seems to have a liking for Portuguese chouricos and meatballs!!

[dc7176]

VS

Manchester United vs West Ham

Barclays Premier League , Match Day 37
Manchester United (EPL 1st, 81 pts) v West Ham (EPL 10th, 48 pts)
Saturday 3rd May, 11:45 GMT
Old Trafford

Goals

First Goal for Manchester United by Ronaldo 3
Click Here for Video


Second Goal for Manchester United by Ronaldo 24
Click Here for Video



Third Goal for Manchester United by Tevez , Wonderful Shot 25
Click Here for Video



Ashton Scores for Westham 28& Nani is out with Red Card for Hitting by Head 38
Click Here for Video


Forth Goal for Manchester United by Carrick 59
Click Here for Video


Extras


Full incident of Nani's red card with Replay 37
Click Here for Video


Fletcher Hits The Bar ! 70
Click Here for Video


Ronaldo against Westham & gets subbed 63
Click Here for Video


Funny Clip for Ronaldo is Kidding with some one of his team 89
Click Here for Video

Highlights


First Half Highlights : Manchester United * West Ham
Click Here for Video


Second Half Highlights : Manchester United 4 - 1 West Ham
Click Here for Video

[alex18122003]

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping Kevin Keegan's Newcastle can do him a favour when they play Chelsea on Monday.

Sir Alex Ferguson: "The way Chelsea have been talking is that it'll be easy up there - but we know that's not the case. Look at Dean Ashton. He was a United fan as a kid but scored a goal which could kill our hopes ... There is no excuse [for Nani's headbutt]. He showed a measure of immaturity and we will deal with it ... Cristiano has had a fantastic season and he develops all the time. There was a terrible tackle on him but he keeps getting up and playing with courage and you've got to applaud that."

[alex18122003]

Ronaldo hot streak burns off pack

Manchester United FC forward Cristiano Ronaldo took a giant stride towards winning the ESM Golden Shoe by scoring two more goals against West Ham United FC on Saturday. The Portuguese international struck twice in the opening 24 minutes at Old Trafford to set up a 4-1 victory that moved Sir Alex Ferguson's team to within touching distance of the Premier League title.

'I'm confident'
With his closest challenger Klaas Jan Huntelaar out of contention having already completed the season with AFC Ajax, and neither Emmanuel Adebayor nor Luis Fabiano registering at the weekend, Ronaldo appears certain to add another personal award to his Professional Footballers' Association Player of the Year accolade. "It is wonderful to score so many times," said the 23-year-old, who can equal the Premier League record of 31 held by Alan Shearer by scoring once in the final game at Wigan Athletic FC next Sunday. "I have to thank my team-mates as they give me great passes. If they give me an opportunity, I'm confident I can score."

Güiza double
RCD Mallorca striker Daniel Güiza has an outside chance of pipping Ronaldo after the 27-year-old climbed to fourth in the rankings with a double against Athletic Club Bilbao, leaving him six goals shy of the leader with three Primera División matches remaining. Liverpool FC's Fernando Torres joins his fellow Spaniard in the top six after notching his 23rd goal of the campaign to clinch a 1-0 win over Manchester City FC, while Roque Santa Cruz took his tally to 19 with a brace for Blackburn Rovers against Derby County FC.