Wolverhampton, Jan 18: Lowly Wolves beat Manchester United 1-0. Bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers caused the biggest upset of the season so far when they beat champions and premier league leaders Manchester United 1-0 at Molineux on Saturday (January 17). Scottish forward Kenny Miller scored his first premier league goal in the 67th minute to secure an amazing victory for a side with the worst defensive record in the top flight and who look destined for the first division next season. It was the last game for United defender Rio Ferdinand before starting an eight month suspension for missing a drugs test, although he has said he will appeal. Wolves, fielding former United players Paul Ince as captain in midfield and Denis Irwin in defence, showed limitless spirit and determination as they harried Sir Alex Ferguson's side, preventing them from getting into their usual stride. United's star striker, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, had chances but couldn't convert them into points, even when heading a corner from inside the six-yard box.


In the second half, Wolves and former England captain Ince hit the post with a cracking shot.


Ferdinand had injured himself earlier on and was susbtituted by Wes Brown soon afterwards. He intends lodging a formal appeal on Monday, after which the Football Association would set up a three-man panel chaired by a legally qualified non-FA representative. It could be the end of February or even the beginning of March before his appeal is heard and it was unclear whether he would then start his suspension as planned on Tuesday.


The goal came when Wolves intercepted a poor United throw-in, the ball going to Miller. He ran around substitute Brown, leaving him on the floor, then side-footed the ball past United goalkeeper Tim Howard.


The 38-year-old Irwin then tried to get on the score sheet with a fine free kick, but Howard just managed to tip the ball over the bar.


United stepped up their game, but even when substitute David Bellion turned sharply and shot from inside the penalty area, Wolves' 'keeper Michael Oakes blocked well.


As the fans watched anxiously Wolves were able to hang on for a famous victory on what was United's first trip to Molineux in 20 years.


United stayed on 50 points, with title rivals Arsenal (49pts), and Chelsea (45pts) both playing on Sunday.


English league soccer standings after Saturday's matches: Premier league P W D L F A Pts 1. Manchester United 22 16 2 4 40 15 50 2. Arsenal 21 14 7 0 40 14 49 3. Chelsea 21 14 3 4 40 17 45 4. Charlton Athletic 22 10 7 5 31 23 37 5. Liverpool 21 9 5 7 31 23 32 6. Fulham 21 9 4 8 33 29 31 7. Newcastle United 21 7 9 5 27 22 30 8. Southampton 22 8 6 8 21 18 30 9. Birmingham City 20 8 5 7 19 25 29 10. Bolton Wanderers 22 7 8 7 26 33 29 11. Aston Villa 21 7 6 8 21 25 27 12. Tottenham Hotspur 22 8 3 11 26 31 27 13. Middlesbrough 21 6 7 8 20 26 25 14. Everton 22 6 6 10 25 29 24 15. Manchester City 22 5 8 9 31 33 23 16. Blackburn Rovers 22 6 5 11 32 36 23 17. Portsmouth 22 6 4 12 25 33 22 18. Leicester City 22 4 8 10 31 38 20 19. Wolverhampton Wanderers 21 4 6 11 19 43 18 20. Leeds United 22 4 5 13 19 44 17

Bureau Report