Manchester United keeps Europe qualification hopes alive with West Brom win

MANCHESTER United kept its fading hopes of Champions League qualification flickering with a breezy 3-0 win at West Brom.

MANCHESTER United kept their fading hopes of Champions League qualification flickering with a breezy 3-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.

Goals from Phil Jones, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck gave United back-to-back league wins for the first time since December, following their 2-0 success at Crystal Palace last month.

Victory took the defending champions to within nine points of fourth-placed Manchester City, although they have played two more games, while Pepe Mel’s West Brom remain just above the relegation zone in 17th place.

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“I thought our forward play was very good,” United manager David Moyes told BT Sport.

“I thought both Robin (van Persie) and Wayne were excellent today, and Juan Mata and Adnan (Januzaj). But it also needed a good defensive performance as well, so all around we were pleased.”

News_Rich_Media: Arsenal are through to the semi-finals of the FA Cup after thumping Everton 4-1 at Emirates Stadium.

United’s previous game at The Hawthorns had been Alex Ferguson’s final match as manager and his successor was looking for a reaction to his side’s shock 2-0 loss to Olympiakos in the Champions League.

Later on Saturday, Chelsea will look to extend their lead at the top of the table by beating Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge.

A win would lift Chelsea seven points above Liverpool and Arsenal, who would both then have a game in hand, and nine points clear of fourth-placed Manchester City, who will have three games in hand.

Elsewhere, Cardiff City gave their chances of avoiding relegation a shot in the arm with a 3-1 win at home to Fulham that left their rivals four points adrift of safety at the foot of the table.

Steven Caulker scored twice for Cardiff, either side of a Lewis Holtby equaliser, before Sascha Riether’s own goal sealed a victory that left Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side below West Brom on goal difference alone.

News_Image_File: United manager David Moyes applauds his side. Picture: Rui Vieira/AP

Palace are only two points better off after losing 1-0 at home to Southampton, who prevailed thanks to a breakaway strike from Jay Rodriguez in the 37th minute.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Walters went from hero to villain for Stoke City in their 1-1 draw at Norwich City.

The Republic of Ireland international converted a 73rd-minute penalty to cancel out Bradley Johnson’s header, but was then sent off for an ugly foul on Norwich midfielder Alexander Tettey.