Scholes 90 + 3

Manchester United kept in the EPL title hunt with Paul Scholes’ headed winner fifteen seconds from the end of stoppage time against their big city rivals.

The goal provided a dramatic end to a far-from-dramatic contest, the sort of win champions down the ages have ground out when not playing well.

Wayne Rooney returned to United’s starting line-up. And although he was clearly way below full fitness, he fashioned one of only two clear United chances in a drab first half.

He fired a left-foot shot wide on 41 minutes, while Ryan Giggs could only side-foot United’s first shot on target at City keeper Shay Given right on half-time.

A Carlos Tevez free-kick, which was well saved by United keeper Edwin Van der Sar, was Manchester City’s sole first-half effort of note.

Indeed the game didn’t warm up until the last ten minutes, United substitute Dimitar Berbatov heading inches wide on 82 minutes.

And City defender Nedum Onouha was unable to get the vital touch past United centre-back Nemanja Vidic in an 85^th minute goalmouth scramble.

But late in stoppage time, Patrice Evra’s left-wing cross found Scholes unmarked ten yards out and he placed his header agonisingly out of Given’s reach.