Utd leave it late to stay top

Man Utd remain top of the league on goal difference as they left it late at Reading to beat the Royals 2-0 with goals through Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney.

Rooney's 77th minute strike and Ronaldo's 23rd of the season on the final whistle proved vital as nearest challengers Arsenal won 3-0 at relegation strugglers Fulham and Chelsea also squeezed out a 1-0 victory at Birmingham.

It took a moment of magic from Argentine Carlos Tevez to supply a killing pass for Rooney to score his sixth league goal of the season while Reading's Kevin Doyle went close with a header before Ronaldo scored on a breakaway.

Reading played their part in an entertaining match at their Madejski Stadium and often troubled United, but Rooney provided a vital breakthrough and as the home side searched desperately for an equalizer, Ronaldo sealed the three points.