Manchester United 2-0 West Bromwich Albion

By Liam Apicella, Features EditorPublished: 11 March 2012 3:52 PM

Two goals from Wayne Rooney at the expense of West Bromwich Albion see Manchester United replace Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.

Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United defeated West Bromwich Albion 2-0 at Old Trafford this afternoon.

The visiting Baggies created the better of the chances during the early exchanges, two of which fell to Keith Andrews.

However, the Irish international was unable to find the net, sending one wide of target and seeing the other parried to safety by United goalkeeper David de Gea.

After Ashley Young had fired in United's first attempt on target, Rooney put the champions in front in the 35th minute. Javier Hernandez cut in from the right and produced a curling effort which Rooney diverted past Ben Foster in the away goal.

United continued to dominate after the break as they looked to secure a second goal.

Their cause was helped when West Brom defender Jonas Olsson was handed his second caution of the match for a foul on Javier Hernandez in the 65th minute.

The home side made their numerical advantage count five minutes later as Rooney claimed his second of the afternoon. Andrews pulled down Young inside the are and Rooney stepped up to convert the resultant penalty past Foster.

In a rare venture forward after the break, Baggies striker Shane Long forced De Gea into a diving save in the 80th minute.

With rivals Manchester City losing 1-0 at Swansea City, the three points has put United top of the league.