Paul Scholes' Header Keeps Manchester United's Title Challenge Alive

Alex Ferguson chose to keep his veteran midfielders Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs on the pitch for the full 90 minutes and was rewarded in spectacular style as Scholes grabbed a last-gasp match winner.

Scholes headed home a Nani cross with seconds remaining to give Manchester United their second injury time win of the season in a Manchester derby. There was little in the preceding 92 minutes to suggest the spectacular finish which was to follow. Both sides struggled to create clear cut chances, with neither keeper seriously tested.

Carlos Tevez hit a well-struck free kick which Edwin Van der Sar claimed comfortably, and Wayne Rooney spurned a decent chance when he scuffed his shot wide in what was an uneventful first half.

Martin Atkinson was the man whose timekeeping allowed Michael Owen the opportunity to score a 96th minute winner in the last league meetings between these teams and his last-minute appointment for this game was a controversial one.

Even with tackles flying in thick and fast it took him 55 minutes to produce his first yellow card, awarding it to Vincent Kompany for a foul on Rooney.

Craig Bellamy and Tevez linked up well but Bellamy screwed his shot wide of the near post when he would have done better to play a return pass to the in-form Argentinian. Gareth Barry should have done much better when a cute pass from Emmanuel Adebayor gave him time and space in the United penalty area. Barry could have taken a touch and shot on his preferred left foot but he decided to cut inside instead and the chance went begging.

An unfit Rooney was withdrawn with 20 minutes remaining for the perpetually disappointing Dimitar Berbatov as the game started to pick up pace, with both sides looking for a winner. Van der Sar flapped at a cross which resulted in an almighty goal line scramble with United grateful to clear. 

Three minutes of injury time was announced amidst a frenzy of fast-flowing end to end football. Bridge had an opportunity but drove a fierce shot straight at Van der Sar, but there was still time for one more attack and it was Manchester United who made the most of it. Patrice Evra received the ball wide on the left and his cross was glanced into Givens' bottom left hand corner by the head of Paul Scholes.

The goal sparked wild celebrations and will have been viewed with dismay by Chelsea, preparing for an evening kick off against Tottenham Hotspur. Scholes has been scoring goals like this for 15 years and once again here he rose to the occasion in United's hour of need.

Chelsea are still in the driving seat, but if players like Paul Scholes can keep rolling back the clock Sir Alex's men are going to push them to the wire.