LONDON, March 26: Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney steered Manchester United back to second place in the Premier League after a 3-0 win over struggling Birmingham City on Sunday. An early Giggs free kick flew in off City keeper Maik Taylor before the Welshman drilled home a second with only 15 minutes on the clock at Old Trafford. Rooney then surged through the defence to beat Taylor in a one-on-one in the 83rd.

Victory moved Alex Ferguson’s men nearer an automatic Champions League place and a Birmingham side managed by former United favourite Steve Bruce closer to relegation.

Earlier, defender Stuart Parnaby scored a stoppage-time goal to give Middlesbrough a thrilling 4-3 win over Bolton Wanderers while Charlton Athletic beat Newcastle United 3-1.

Champions Chelsea, who defeated Manchester City 2-0 on Saturday, are top on 78 points from 31 matches, with United second on 66 points with a game in hand.

Liverpool, who beat Everton 3-1 in the Merseyside derby, have 64 points from 32 games. They should at least hold on to third place and reach the Champions League qualifiers.

Birmingham, crushed 7-0 by Liverpool in the FA Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday, are 18th in the 20-team division. Ahead of Portsmouth on goal difference, they are three points adrift of West Bromwich Albion.

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