Rooney spoils Chelsea's celebration hopes

LONDON, Apr 17 (Reuters) Two goals from Wayne Rooney gave Manchester United a 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur and denied Chelsea the chance to be crowned Premier League champions again today.

Chelsea, who were hosting Everton later in the day, can at best restore a nine-point lead over United at Stamford Bridge with a further three games to play.

Rooney slid home United's opener after an eighth minute breakaway and steered home their second from close range in the 36th after a blunder by Spurs' South Korean defender Lee Young-pyo.

Midfielder Jermaine Jenas scrambled the ball home for Spurs in a 53rd minute melee but their second-half pressure failed to pay off and Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy hit the post for United in the closing stages at White Hart Lane.

REUTERS PG KN2019