Tevez gives Man Utd victory

Carlos Tevez has given Man Utd a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Birmingham at Old Trafford to keep United in contention with Arsenal at the top of the Premiership. The Premiership champions weren't up to their usual quality this evening though, as Birmingham frustrated them throughout.

Both sides attempted shots in the first two minutes; Jerome fired over for the visitors before Ronaldo tested Taylor in the Birmingham goal.

But United could have taken the lead in the 6th minute through Carlos Tevez: six yards out on the left hand side of the goal, the Argentinean directed his header onto the post.

In the 25th minute they fell victim to a Carlos Tevez strike; Ronaldo on the right found Tevez in the centre of area. The forward then tucked the ball into the corner with a low, right-footed shot to give the Red Devils a deserved lead.

Birmingham were an altogether more organised outfit in the second half; but didn't stop United from pressurising. Taylor saved a Ronaldo header with his feet, but the Portuguese international and Carlos Tevez continued to give Alex McLeish’s side a hard time.

Minutes later it was Tevez again whose heavy shot was parried by Maik Taylor. Fortunately for Birmingham the ball fell to John O’Shea, who couldn’t angle his effort on target.

The Blues’ seemed to grow in stature as the game drew to its climax, putting United under real pressure but United held on for another important three points.