Middlesbrough hold EPL leader ManU to a 2-2 draw

WHITE WASH: Snow falls during the English Premier League match between Middlesbrough and Manchester United at the Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough.

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Keywords: Middlesbrough, Manchester United

Ronaldo almost made it 2-0 in the 30th when he dribbled past four Boro defenders and only had goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to beat but shot well wide of near post.

United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar then blocked a powerful 30-meter free kick from Alves before the Brazilian equalised in the 35th minute.

Gary O'Neil's long ball was flicked on by Jeremie Aliadiere and found Alves clear of the United defence and he slid it past Van der Sar for the first league goal conceded by United in six games.

United claimed a penalty when a powerful 20-meter shot from Ronaldo struck Andrew Taylor on the arm but referee Mike Riley turned it down.

Boro almost added a second in the 40th when a cross found Stewart Downing totally unmarked and Van der Sar raced off his line to block the winger's close range shot.

The home side went ahead in the 55th when Aliadiere won the ball in the air and Alves controlled it to run clear of the defence and slide it past Van der Sar.

The Brazilian, signed from Dutch club Heerenveen during the January transfer window, almost added a third three minutes later when Aliadiere again won the ball in air but Alves' close range effort was blocked by Rio Ferdinand.

Already without Nemanja Vidic for three weeks with a knee injury, United lost their central defensive partner Ferdinand with an ankle problem only three days before they defend a 2-0 Champions League lead over AS Roma in the Champions League.

But the Red Devils struck back to equalise 16 minutes from the end.

Substitute Park Ji-sung set up the chance with a break down the right, turning inside Taylor and crossing for Rooney to stab the ball home from 10 meters.

Saturday's other results were Aston Villa 4, Bolton 0; Blackburn 1, Tottenham 1; Fulham 1, Sunderland 3; Newcastle 3, Reading 0; Wigan 2, Birmingham 0.