`Marvellous’ Giggs proves a point for Ferguson

Wimbledon were back in the lead after a poor clearance from keeper Mark Bosnich allowed Alan Kimble to set up Carl Cort in the 62nd minute.

But United came storming back and Welshman Ryan Giggs went on a 60-yard run before picking out England striker Andy Cole who equalised 10 minutes from the end.

Sir Alex Ferguson praised the battling qualities of his United side for their comeback but singled out Giggs for a dazzling display on the left wing.

While Giggs excelled on the left, David Beckham returned in central midfield after being dropped against Leeds last Sunday following a training-ground bust-up with Ferguson.

Asked about Beckham’s display, the United boss simply responded: “He did all right, fine.”

Arsenal ended Southampton’s mini-revival under new coach Glenn Hoddle with Fredrik Ljungberg scoring twice in a 3-1 win. The Swedish international netted in the 22nd minute before Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp scored with a rare header nine minutes before the break.

Although Dean Richards pulled one back for the Saints in the 61st minute Ljungberg sealed the win seven minutes later.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted to a feeling of relief after his side earned their first win in February.

Sheffield Wednesday, thrashed 8-0 at Newcastle earlier in the season, went down 2-0 this time to put them in desperate trouble in the bottom three.

Kevin Gallacher opened the scoring in 11th minute before Alan Shearer made the game safe four minutes from the end.

Bradford made it nine home games without defeat thanks to an equaliser from Dean Windass against Aston Villa.

Paul Merson gave the visitors the lead after 33 minutes before the former Oxford striker earned a priceless point 14 minutes from time.

Frenchman Marcel Desailly put Chelsea in front against bottom of the table Watford after only 84 seconds.

Graham Taylor’s side battled back and levelled through Allan Smart six minutes before half-time only for youngster Jon Harley to earn Chelsea maximum points with a bullet header with 25 minutes to go.

Sunderland are now eight games without a win after a 1-1 draw with Derby and it took a 62nd minute effort from Alex Rae to earn a point after Malcolm Christie netted his fourth goal after 60 minutes.

Nicky Barmby scored a hat-trick at Upton Park where Everton demolished West Ham 4-0.

The former Middlesbrough striker struck in the eighth, 64th and 67th minutes and set up the fourth for American Joe-Max Moore after 71 minutes, his sixth in seven games.

Tottenham broke a goal famine at the fourth attempt to end a run of three straight defeats with a 1-0 win at Coventry, Chris Armstrong netting the winner after 82 minutes.

Fiorentina plunge Parma deeper into crisis

ROME: Fiorentina hammered Parma 4-0 in Serie A match to plunge Alberto Malesani’s side deeper into crisis.

Both sides were considered the great disappointments of Serie A after starting the season as championship contenders but eventually falling into league oblivion at the two-third stage of the race.

However, Saturday’s result provided at least some consolation to Fiorentina in the form of their first away win in more than a year.

Parma, who were still licking their wounds after a suicidal game at Verona, were left in a state of turmoil after conceding eight goals and two defeats in a week.

Abel Balbo of Argentina, a former Parma player, punished his old team thanks to a fast exchange with Rui Costa and Pedrag Mijatovic in the 21st. In the second half, Fiorentina’s Portuguese playmaker netted two in 10 minutes to condemn Parma. In the 85th, Mijatovic scored off a free kick to seal the match at 4-0.

Earlier Lazio bounced back from a stinging championship upset at AC Milan by defeating Udinese 2-1 at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.

The Romans, who last week conceded to Milan three costly points as well as second place in the standings, edged past Udinese with goals from defender Paolo Negro and Chilean striker Marcelo Salas.

Lazio now have 46 points and are two points in front of Milan and just one point behind Juventus.