Manchester United go top after 100th league goal by Scholes

London: Manchester United took advantage of Chelsea`s inactivity to reclaim top spot in the Premier League, the 35-year-old Paul Scholes clinching a 1-0 victory at struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The champions, without injured striker Wayne Rooney, laboured at Molineux but Scholes pounced for his 100th league goal after 73 minutes to put United on 63 points, two ahead of Chelsea who are in FA Cup action against Stoke City on Sunday. Arsenal also turned up the heat on Chelsea, beating Burnley 3-1 at the Emirates to move level on 61 points with Carlo Ancelotti`s side. But for wayward finishing by Nicklas Bendtner the Gunners would have gone second on goal difference. Wolves, at full-strength after being fined 25,000 pounds (USD 37,580) for fielding a weakened side at Old Trafford earlier in the season, poured forward in the first half and could have gone in front when Stephen Ward failed to convert a close-range header. United perked up in the second period and Scholes scored with a right-foot shot from eight metres after defender Jody Craddock slipped as he stretched to block. Wolves should have equalised in stoppage time but the unmarked Sam Vokes fired wildly over from six metres. "We deserved the win, no question," United manager Alex Ferguson told reporters. "They had an outstanding chance at the end but the lad didn`t take it.”"Our form is good and we`re managing without some players, which is important at this time of year." Bureau Report