Manchester United stay two points clear of rivals Manchester City at the top of the EPL after Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov’s double gave them a comfortable victory over the Black Cats.
The visitors, managed by legendary United defender Steve Bruce, were ravaged by injuries and suspensions. And it showed as United could have been three-up in the first twenty minutes.
Berbatov opened the scoring on five minutes with a firm header from Wayne Rooney’s deft far-post cross after a driving run by Ryan Giggs.
Rooney was inches wide with a cheeky chip from the edge of the box and there were also chances for Anderson and Giggs, as well as further efforts from Berbatov and Rooney, all in the opening quarter.
United had to wait until the 57th minute, however, to grab their second goal, Berbatov’s toe poke from 12 yards deflecting past unfortunate Black Cats keeper Craig Gordon off Anton Ferdinand.
Gordon denied the Bulgarian his third hat-trick of the season with a solid save from Berbatov’s well-struck volley.
Boudewijn Zenden had Sunderland’s first effort on target in the 78th minute, a low shot from the edge of the box neatly gathered by United keeper Edwin Van der Sar.
