Manchester United let in their first goal in the Premier League in three months, but still stretched their lead at the top of the table with a 2-1 win on Saturday against an unlucky Blackburn at Old Trafford.

United's victory meant that second-placed Liverpool were eight points adrift of the English, European and world champions when they kicked at home to Manchester City on Sunday.

England striker Wayne Rooney put United ahead in the 23rd minute.

However, after 1,337 minutes - more than 22 hours - without a dent in their goals against column, United's defence was pierced after the half-hour mark.

United manager Alex Ferguson, presumably with an eye on Tuesday's last 16 Champions League clash with Inter Milan, opted to play Tomasz Kuszczak in goal rather than Edwin van der Sar, who recently broke the British record for most minutes without conceding a league goal.

But Paraguay striker Roque Santa Cruz, released by Andre Ooijer's precise pass, rounded Kuszczak before finishing from a tight angle.

Rovers, belying their status as a bottom three club, nearly went ahead just before the hour mark when New Zealand defender Ryan Nelsen hit the post with a well-struck shot.

Two minutes later United's Cristiano Ronaldo, booked for diving by referee Howard Webb having escaped a yellow card for earlier kicking out, made it 2-1 with a brilliant curling free kick from the left edge of the box.

Rovers were then denied a legitimate penalty when Morten Gamst Pedersen was pulled back in the box by United full-back Rafael da Silva.

A relieved Ferguson said: "We deserved it - just - no more than that. When you consider how we've defended over the last few weeks it was a very soft goal to give away.

"This is a great lesson. It tells us exactly what this league is like. I've said all along there is no way we can predict we are going to win the league when we get difficult games like this."

Ferguson, whose side were recently labelled "untouchable" by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, added: "I've said all along that we can't forecast that we're going to win the league. A team like Blackburn will come to Old Trafford and fight for their lives.

"That's what you can expect from every team in the bottom 11. It's a difficult league so when people are talking about us going to win the league, we're going to dismiss it.

"We've got to focus every game and fight for our lives just like the teams at the bottom of the league are fighting for their lives.

Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce was furious with Webb's refusal to award a penalty for Rafael's challenge on Pedersen.

"Sir Alex doesn't think it is a penalty, but I think it is. It has to be pretty blatant to get a penalty here at Old Trafford. We all know that. For me, it is a big disappointment because the lads put up a really good fight."

Earlier, Guus Hiddink enjoyed a winning start as Chelsea manager after Nicolas Anelka's goal clinched a 1-0 victory at Aston Villa.

Hiddink, appointed after Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked last week, saw Anelka's 19th minute finish from Frank Lampard's pass lift Chelsea above Villa into third place.

Hiddink, who is combining his work at Chelsea with his job as Russia manager, downplayed suggestions he'd inherited a divided dressing room.

"I did not see what sometimes is suggested about this big division. I have analysed it rather well," said the Dutchman, who has made it clear he will only be at Chelsea until the end of the season.

Arsenal's goalless draw at home to Sunderland left them six points off the top four and struggling to qualify for the Champions League.

This was their the Gunners' third straight goalless league draw and manager Arsene Wenger did not hide his frustration at Sunderland's approach.

(Agencies via China Daily Feburary 23, 2009)