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Van der Sar howler gifts Baggies a point

ESPN staff
October 16, 2010
Edwin van der Sar's mistake proved costly for Manchester United © PA Photos
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A shocker from Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar handed West Brom a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford.

For the second time this season, Sir Alex Ferguson's men threw away a two-goal lead as they were forced to settle for their fifth draw of the season.

With Wayne Rooney left on the bench following his comments in the week, Ferguson's decision to leave his star striker out was justified almost immediately when Javier Hernandez scored his first Premier League goal to put the home side ahead after five minutes.

Hernandez responded quickest after Scott Carson could only push away Nani's free-kick, and it was Nani who got his name on the scoresheet 20 minutes later as United looked to be on course for a comfortable victory. The Portuguese winger pounced when Nicky Shorey slipped on the ball, and after a slick one-two with Dimitar Berbatov, fired the ball into the net to double United's lead.

With Ferguson's men cruising at half-time, the Baggies refused to lie down and grabbed one back after the United defence failed to clear their lines from a cross, and Patrice Evra got the last touch under pressure from Somen Tchoyi.

And Tchoyi scored the equaliser after Van der Sar failed to hold on to a simple catch and Tchoyi was on hand to tap the ball home from close range. Ferguson turned to Rooney as United desperately searched for a winner, but Roberto Martinez's side held firm and had a number of chances to steal the three points on the break.

However, leaders Chelsea failed to capitalise on United's slip-up after being held to a goalless draw by Aston Villa. With key players Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba both out with injury, Carlo Ancelotti handed a start to Gael Kakuta, but the teenager was unable to inspire the champions to victory.

Both sides were denied by the woodwork - Branislav Ivanovic came closest for Chelsea but his powerful header from a corner clattered the post, and just moments later James Collins's header met the same fate at the other end. Nigel Reo-Coker had the chance to steal all three points at the death, but his attempted chip over the advancing Cech bounced wide.

Arsenal avoided a third straight defeat after coming from behind to beat Birmingham 2-1 at Emirates Stadium. The Gunners went behind from a Nikola Zigic header, but Samir Nasri converted from the spot after Scott Dann was deemed to have fouled Marouane Chamakh, who scored his third goal of the season to seal three points for Arsene Wenger's men, who had Jack Wilshere sent off in the final minute for a wild challenge.

Tom Huddlestone scored a controversial winner as Tottenham clinched a 2-1 away win at Fulham. Huddlestone's long-range effort found its way into Mark Schwarzer's net, but although William Gallas failed to get a touch, the assistant referee signalled the defender had been in an offside position. However, referee Mike Dean overruled the linesman and awarded the goal.

Ivan Klasnic scored the winner for Bolton but was later sent off © PA Photos
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Fulham enjoyed much of the possession at Craven Cottage and went ahead through Diomansy Kamara on the half-hour mark. But the lead was short-lived as Roman Pavlyuchenko netted just a minute later after Rafael van der Vaart's delicate chip over Schwarzer struck the crossbar.

Newcastle left it late to snatch a 2-2 draw at home to Wigan. The Magpies looked to be on course for their third home defeat of the season after striker Charles N'Zogbia struck twice in as many minutes, but Fabricio Coloccini sealed a point after Shola Ameobi's header had pulled one back for the home side.

Ivan Klasnic scored a last-gasp goal to clinch a 2-1 win for Bolton against Stoke before seeing red. Rory Delap looked to have salvaged a point for the Potters after scoring his first goal since January 2009 to cancel out Lee Chung-yong's opener, but Klasnic came off the bench to snatch all three points before being shown two yellow cards in the space of a minute as Bolton ended the game with ten men.

In the clash of the bottom two, Wolves and West Ham shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Molineux. Matt Jarvis fired Wolves ahead after ten minutes when Rob Green failed to clear the ball, but Mark Noble equalised from the penalty spot after Kevin Foley had brought down Victor Obinna.

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