West Brom 1-2 Man Utd

Saha has scored 13 goals from 15 games

Manchester United tightened their grip on second place by beating West Brom, thanks to a double by Louis Saha.

The Frenchman gave United an early lead, capitalising on slack West Brom marking to head past Tomasz Kuszczak.

Midway through the second half Kuszczak was powerless to stop Saha's clipped finish after a flowing United move.

Edwin van der Sar made two great saves in the first half but the Dutchman was finally beaten with 12 minutes to go when Nathan Ellington headed in.

Ellington's goal ensured a tense finale, although the visitors were well worth their win.

Saha could have a hat-trick when - after another United counter-attack - he had a close-range shot blocked.

On another day Wayne Rooney might have had a hat-trick, too.

But with the goal at his mercy on three occasions, he was superbly tackled by Martin Albrechtsen, Junichi Inamoto and then Steve Watson.

The win moved United five points clear of third-placed Liverpool, who have played a game more than Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

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Defeat for West Brom and Portsmouth's victory at West Ham leaves the Midlands side facing another nail-biting run-in as they seek to avoid relegation for a second successive season.

The in-form Saha had again been preferred to Ruud van Nistelrooy, who had only returned to England early on Saturday after his wife suffered a family bereavement.

Saha was quickly into his stride, sending in a cross on to the roof of Kuszczak's net.

The Frenchman's next contribution proved altogether more deadly as he drifted away from Ronnie Wallwork to plant a header past Kuszczak following Ryan Giggs' corner.

Giggs might have added a second when he burst into the box only to be denied by Kuszczak's reaction save.

Just before that chance from Giggs, Van der Sar had to make two superb saves to protect United's lead as West Brom finished the opening half strongly.

The Dutchman flung himself to his right to tip away Diomansy Kamara's free-kick and then dived the other way to save Davies' powerful header.

Kanu replaced the ineffectual Kevin Campbell for the start of the second half and the Nigerian immediately brought more vim to the West Brom attack trying his luck with a speculative shot.

West Brom manager Bryan Robson needed to make a further shuffle in attack, bringing on Ellington when Kamara limped off.

But as the West Brom attack took time to readjust to those changes, United broke clear to extend their lead with a devastating counter-attack.

Giggs and Cristiano Ronaldo combined to release Saha, who after quickly controlling the ball, guided his shot past the onrushing Kuszczak

Ellington briefly revived West Brom's hopes when he headed in from a corner but West Brom never looked like scoring a second goal after that.

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West Brom manager Bryan Robson:
"We started the game quite well, but the way we gave away the goal was typical of how we have played over the last few matches.

"It was a really poor goal to concede and once United get in front they make it really difficult for you.

"Somewhere along the line we have to start putting it all together."

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson:
"We all know Ruud van Nistelrooy is a fantastic player and he will get his opportunity again.

"But at the moment Louis Saha merits his place in the team at the moment because of his goals and his performances.

"It is unfortunate for Ruud but he just has to be patient, which he has been."

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West Brom: Kuszczak, Albrechtsen, Watson, Curtis Davies, Robinson, Greening, Kozak (Carter 69), Inamoto, Kamara (Ellington 59), Wallwork, Campbell (Kanu 45).
Subs Not Used: Kirkland, Clement.

Booked: Robinson.

Goals: Ellington 78.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre, Ronaldo, O'Shea, Richardson (Fletcher 89), Giggs, Rooney, Saha.
Subs Not Used: Howard, Evra, van Nistelrooy, Rossi.

Booked: Richardson, Silvestre, Giggs.

Goals: Saha 16, 64.

Att: 27,623.

Ref: H Webb (S Yorkshire).