Premier League: Blackpool 2 Man United 3

Manchester United pulled off a great escape to topple Blackpool 3-2 and stretch their lead on top of the English Premier League.

United had an almighty scare when Blackpool deservedly went in at half-time 2-0 up courtesy of headers from former United trainee Craig Cathcart and striker DJ Campbell.

But United scored twice in two minutes through Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez to haul themselves level before the former smashed in the winner in the 88th minute, ensuring Sir Alex Ferguson’s men maintained their unbeaten run this season and extended their lead at the top to five points.

It was tough on Ian Holloway’s side, who ran out of steam after pinning back United in the first half.

Charlie Adams started for the home side in the centre of midfield, despite handing in a transfer request 24 hours earlier amid interest from Liverpool.

And it was the Scot who set up the opener in the 16th minute with an inswinging cross that was headed home by an unmarked Cathcart.

Nemanja Vidic almost headed past Edwin van der Sar and Elliott Grandin blasted over as the hosts piled on the pressure.

Just before half-time, Van der Sar dived full length to keep out David Vaughan’s 20-yard strike.

But from the resulting corner, Blackpool made it 2-0.

Adam’s cross flicked off Darron Gibson and Campbell headed in at the far post.

Sir Alex Ferguson must have had the hairdryer treatment set to high as United came out looking something like champions after the break, with Nani and Paul Scholes both testing Richard Kingson.

Substitute Javier Hernandez thought he pulled one back when he beat the offside trap and put the ball through Kingson’s legs, but the Ghanian keeper got the merest of touches on it to stop it from rolling across the line.

But it was 2-1 in the 72nd minute when Berbatov volleyed home Darren Fletcher’s cross.

And less than two minutes later, United were level when Ryan Giggs released Hernandez, who slotted the ball past home past Kingson.

The winner came in the 88th minute, with Berbatov again smashing the ball home after good work from Paul Scholes to complete United’s comeback.