By David Hobbs
November 27 2004

Manchester United won a fifth consecutive game, with a title challenge now looking right back on the cards. Paul Scholes netted a brace and Van Nistelrooy also hit the target as the Red Devils romped passed West Bromwich Albion 3-0 at the Hawthorns.

Scholes Back in the Goals

West Bromwhich Albion 0

Manchester United 3
Scholes 53, 82
Van Nistelrooy 72

A brace from from Paul Scholes and Ruud van Nistelrooy ensured Manchester United didn't go back to Old Trafford winless as Sir Alex Ferguson's side blew past West Bromwhich Albion 3-0. Scholes hadn't scored a league goal since March until last week, but the midfielder has hit back with 3 goals in 2 games.

Albion boss Bryan Robson didn't have a very enjoyable re-acquaintance with he ex-boss Ferguson and are now at the foot of the Premiership table courtesy of the result. The game was witnessed by a record crowd since The Hawthorns became an all seater stadium.

Gary Neville stayed at home due to a virus that has infected United's Carrington Training Ground Complex in recent days, brother Phil Neville and Eric Djemba-Djemba were also missing. Darren Fletcher continued his string of games down the right wing as Cristiano Ronaldo could only manage a place on the bench.

The Baggies attacked from the start and had two attempts from Robert Earnshaw and Zoltan Gera that were close to breaking the deadlock. Welshman Earnshaw sent a shot slightly wide whilst Gera had an effort blocked by a brick-wall Roy Carroll. Wayne Rooney also came close soon after, striking agonisingly wide of Russel Hoult's post.

Despite a distinct larger portion of possession going to The Red Devils, it took until after the re-start for Paul Scholes to break the deadlock. Giggs' great vision picked out Scholes' surging run and made no mistake of converting.

Giggs was yet again involved in United's 2nd goal of the game. The winger's free-kick was flicked on by Gabriel Heinze to Ruud van Nistelrooy, who nodded home from close range. Scholes then added a 3rd 8 minutes from time with a simple van Nistelrooy-like header.

Boss Sir Alex Ferguson praised his side's performance, dubbing it as the best he's seen this term. "I think it was the best 90 minutes we have played this season - every player played really well," he said.

"West Brom set their stall out very well but we showed patience and improved our tempo in the second half."

"The important thing is the confidence is back. You never know when it goes away and you never know how it comes back but winning games helps." 

Final Score: West Bromwich Albion 0 - 3 Manchester United
Att: 27,709

West Brom: R Hoult, R Scimeca, D Moore (24 T Gaardsoe), D Purse, N Clement, J Greening, A Sakiri (75 G Horsfield), A Johnson, Z Gera, C Contra (38 P Robinson), R Earnshaw

United: R Carroll, W Brown, R Ferdinand, M Silvestre, G Heinze, D Fletcher (72 C Ronaldo) , R Keane, P Scholes, R Giggs, R van Nistelrooy (75 A Smith), W Rooney

Refereed By: S Bennett