Man Utd march six points clear by routing Villa

By Rex Gowar

LONDON (Reuters) - Wayne Rooney scored twice in the second half and Cristiano Ronaldo played a part in all four goals to help Manchester United crush Aston Villa 4-0 to charge six points clear in the Premier League on Saturday.

Champions United, who also netted in the first half with a cheeky Ronaldo back-heel and a header from Carlos Tevez, lead second-placed Arsenal by six points with six games remaining.

Arsenal, down to 10 men for an hour, ended a six-year league jinx at Bolton Wanderers as they fought back from two goals down for a 3-2 win.

Chelsea, two points further back, can reclaim second spot by beating Middlesbrough on Sunday when Liverpool and Everton also resume their battle for fourth place in the Merseyside derby.

At Old Trafford, where the second half was played in pouring rain, the league's top scorer Ronaldo took his tally for the season to 26 when he struck in the 17th minute.

A cross was poorly cleared and the loose ball fell to the Portugal striker who, with his back to goal, flicked it with his left heel through defender Martin Laursen's legs and past keeper Scott Carson.

Tevez made it 2-0 just past the half hour when he dived to head home Ronaldo's far-post cross following a fine team move started on the halfway line by the Argentine.

Ronaldo flicked on a Ryan Giggs pass for Rooney to take the ball round Carson for the third in the 53rd minute, his first goal in eight games.