LONDON (AP) ― Manchester United surged closer to a 20th English league title on Sunday, opening up an eight-point lead by beating Queens Park Rangers 2-0 while floundering neighbor Manchester City lost 1-0 at Arsenal.
Having spent most of the season in City’s shadow in the Premier League, United has eclipsed its big-spending rival to take control of the Premier League title race.
“We know what it takes to get over the finishing line first,” United defender Rio Ferdinand said. “We’ve got to use all that experience to make sure we do it again.”
United has six games remaining to extend its title record after rattling off an eighth successive league win.
Wayne Rooney scored the opener from the penalty spot after QPR captain Shaun Derry was sent off in the 15th minute for pushing over Ashley Young, although there was minimal contact and the United winger appeared to be offside.
There was no disputing Paul Scholes’ 68th-minute goal, with a trademark drive blasted in the net.
“You have to get momentum at this stage of the season,” Ferdinand said. “That’s the most important thing, making sure you get a good run together and win all your remaining games. We’ve ticked one off today and hopefully we can keep on going.”
The Red Devils have been calmness personified, even when City made top spot its own until its grip was loosened a month ago. There appears to be no way back now for Roberto Mancini’s side, which has imploded amid internal strife.
The frustrated manager even criticized one of his own players, with petulant striker Mario Balotelli earning a stinging rebuke for his second dismissal of the season.
A dangerous-looking, knee-high tackle on Alex Song had gone unpunished after 10 minutes, but Balotelli was sent off in the 90th minute when he was booked again for a second lunge on Bacary Sagna.
Mancini says he wants the FA to investigate the foul on Song, which could lead to a lengthy ban. After a stamp on Tottenham’s Scott Parker was missed by a referee in January, a four-match suspension was imposed on Balotelli by the Football Association.
Spain
Real Madrid’s bid for its first Spanish league title in four seasons received another setback Sunday after the leaders slipped to a 0-0 home draw with Valencia.
Madrid’s third draw in five matches had cut its commanding 10-point lead over defending champions Barcelona to four with seven rounds to play.
Barcelona piled the pressure on with a ninth consecutive league victory on Saturday, and Madrid failed to respond as Valencia came close to scoring with two shots that hit the goal-frame in a high-tempo thrilling match that shouldn’t have ended scoreless.
Madrid captain Iker Casillas said his team was paying the price for its complacency.
Germany
Raul Gonzalez scored twice in a sparking display as Schalke defeated Hannover 3-0 to consolidate its hold on third place in the Bundesliga on Sunday, when Bayer Leverkusen drew 1-1 at Hamburger SV.
Raul headed Jefferson Farfan’s cross in off the left post in the sixth minute, giving Schalke a lift after Thursday’s Europa League elimination by Athletic Bilbao.
The 34-year-old former Real Madrid star scored a delectable second in the 47th, accepting Farfan’s return pass on his chest, holding off a defender and then beating goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler by playing the ball with his left foot and stroking it inside the post with his right.
France
Winger Anthony Mounier scored his eighth goal of the season as Nice beat visiting Lorient 2-0 on Sunday to ease its relegation worries.
Mounier scored just after halftime and central defender Renato Civelli got the second in the 57th minute as Nice moved up to 13th place.
