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Manchester United snatch last-gasp winner to return to top

Apr 5, 2009, 23:39 GMT

London - Manchester United scored an injury-time winner to complete a 3-2 comeback victory over Aston Villa on Sunday and return to the top of the English League table. United trailed 2-1 with 10 minutes remaining but Cristiano Ronaldo equalized and 17-year-old substitute Federico Macheda scored a stunning winner two minutes into injury time to snatch the three points. The win put United one point above Liverpool, with one game still in hand. United went into the match on the back of consecutive league defeats by Liverpool and Fulham, and were missing Wayne Rooney, Nemanja Vidic and Paul Scholes through suspension, while Rio Ferdinand was not risked because of injury. The depleted United side took the lead on 14 minutes when a poor backpass from James Milner forced Brad Friedel to pick up the ball and concede a free kick. Ryan Giggs touched the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo and he smashed the ball into the roof of the net. Villa, though, were having success against a makeshift United defence and John Carew headed an excellent cross from Gareth Barry to equalize on the half-hour mark. Carew turned provider on 58 minutes when he picked out Gabriel Agbonlahor to head past a flailing Edwin van der Sar for a 2-1 Villa lead. An upset looked on the cards until Ronaldo arrowed his second goal of the game and then Macheda produced a superb turn and a curling shot to win it at the death. In the day's other match, Brazilian striker Jo scored twice as Everton trounced Wigan Athletic 4-0.

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Manchester United snatch last-gasp winner to return to top

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