Rooney inspires four-goal Man Utd, West Ham win
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-12-15 09:26

After wriggling his way past two defenders in the box, Rooney unleashed a fierce low drive with his left foot to record his seventh league goal of the season.

Rooney missed an open goal six minutes into the second half, hitting the bar from four metres with Pollitt out of position.

But the former Everton favourite made no mistake in the 55th minute, lifting the ball over the onrushing keeper after being sent clear by Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Van Nistelrooy added the fourth goal from the penalty spot after he was adjudged to have been brought down by Pollitt.

Paul Jewell's 200th league game in charge of Wigan proved a less than memorable occasion for the manager.

Alan Mahon came close to scoring for the visitors, twice forcing full-length saves from Edwin van der Sar in Wigan's first ever game against United.

At Goodison, James Beattie gave Everton a ninth-minute lead before West Ham hit back through David Weir (own goal) and Bobby Zamora.

West Ham rose to seventh in the table while Everton stayed 15th.