LONDON, Nov 19: Ruud van Nistelrooy scored a late double as Manchester United began life without Roy Keane with a morale-boosting 3-1 win over Charlton on Saturday.

But it made no impact on Premiership leaders Chelsea. The champions extended their lead at the top of the table to nine points courtesy of their own 2-0 win over Newcastle at Stamford Bridge and second-placed Wigan’s 3-2 reverse at home to Arsenal.

United moved up to third, ten points adrift of the leaders with a game in hand, after an impressive performance at The Valley.

Alan Smith, occupying Keane’s midfield berth, drilled in a low shot from 20 yards to put them ahead seven minutes before half-time.

United had enough chances to have killed the game before Darren Ambrose fired in a long-range equaliser for Charlton in the 65th minute.

But van Nistelrooy, who has taken over the captain’s armband from Keane, restored the lead in spectacular fashion six minutes later after superb work by Wayne Rooney. The Dutchman then sealed the points with his 12th goal of the season five minutes from the end.

Chelsea, beaten by United at Old Trafford two weeks ago, looked sluggish once more as they laboured through a goalless first half against Newcastle.

Joe Cole fired them ahead within two minutes of the restart and Hernan Crespo, celebrating a rare start, killed the contest four minutes later.

Damien Duff’s shot, which went in with the help of a wicked deflection, completed the win in the dying seconds.

Thierry Henry demonstrated why he is so coveted by Barcelona with another brace of goals as Arsenal claimed their first away of the season in an entertaining 3-2 win over Wigan.

Robin van Persie and Henry put Arsenal two up by the mid-way stage in the first half. Henri Camara pulled one back for Wigan with a brave diving header before Henry restored the two-goal cushion, curling a 30-yard free-kick into the net off the inside of the post.

Jimmy Bullard got Wigan back into the match once more in first half stoppage time but Arsenal were able to to withstand a second-half onslaught comfortably.

Peter Crouch was left waiting for his first Liverpool goal after having a penalty saved by Jamie Ashdown. But his blushes were spared by Boudewijn Zenden, who followed up to head in the rebound, and Liverpool ultimately ran out 3-0 winners.

Results

Charlton Athletic 1 Manchester United 3

Chelsea 3 United 0

Liverpool 3 Portsmouth 0

Manchester City 0 Blackburn Rovers 0

Sunderland 0 Aston Villa 3

Wigan Athletic 2 Arsenal 3

—AFP