Fuente: © UEFA (English)
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FOOTBALL EUROPE: Rooney rescues a point for United

/noticias.info/ Manchester United FC extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to three points after Wayne Rooney equalised with 16 minutes remaining to rescue a point at Middlesbrough FC.

Ronaldo opener
United, fresh from their UEFA Champions League win at AS Roma on Tuesday, started brightly and took the lead after ten minutes when Michael Carrick picked up a long Ryan Giggs corner, and drilled a low cross into the danger area which Cristiano Ronaldo turned in.

Alves duck broken
Middlesbrough responded and missed a superb chance when Jérémie Aliadière screwed his shot wide. They did level, though, when Afonso Alves latched on to Aliadière's flick in the 35th minute and scored his first goal for Boro past Edwin van der Sar, who then had to make several good saves before the break as the visitors came under pressure.

Rooney equaliser
The home side then took the lead eleven minutes after the break as Alves picked up a loose ball, drove into the box and finished expertly. Rio Ferdinand denied Alves a hat-trick with a goalline clearance before United battled to get back into the game and Rooney struck to make it 2-2 in the 74th minute after good work by Ji-Sung Park.

Title race
The win takes United to 77 points with Chelsea FC and Arsenal FC on 74 and 71 respectively; all three teams have five games left. Fifth-placed Everton FC were 1-0 victors at home to Derby County FC, with Leon Osman's 56th-minute goal moving them within four points of Liverpool FC.

Cardiff make final
In the weekend's second FA Cup semi-final, Cardiff City FC defeated fellow second-tier side Barnsley FC 1-0 at Wembley to make their first final in the competition for 81 years. Joe Ledley scored the game's only goal in the ninth minute and it was enough to set up a meeting with Portsmouth FC on 17 May. notas_de_prensa_archivo