LONDON, Jan 19: A Ruud van Nistelrooy record-breaker and a goal for Roy Keane 10 minutes from time gave Manchester United a fortunate 2-1 home win over Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, their eighth successive Premier League victory and one that opened a two-point lead at the top.

Van Nistelrooy had United ahead with a penalty in first-half injury time, making him the first man to score in eight successive premier league games. Craig Hignett got a deserved equaliser but Keane won it to take United to 45 points.

Newcastle, who started the day level on points at the top, drew 0-0 at bottom club Leicester City to move onto 43.

Liverpool remain fifth on 40 points after being held to a 1-1 home draw by Southampton, who beat them 2-0 10 days ago.

RESULTS:

Derby County 1 Ipswich Town 3 Leicester City 0 Newcastle United 0 Liverpool 1 Southampton 1 Manchester United 2 Blackburn Rovers 1 Middlesbrough 1 Bolton Wanderers 1 Sunderland 1 Fulham 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1 Everton 1

Playing on Sunday: Chelsea v West Ham United (1400 GMT) Leeds United v Arsenal (1600)

Playing on Monday: Charlton Athletic v Aston Villa (2000).—Reuters