Fergie looking for players' appetite to return

Alex Ferguson wants Manchester United to maintain their “hunger” to have an impact both in the Champions League and the race for the Barclays Premiership title.

The Red Devils emerged from a turbulent week which saw the departure of long-serving midfielder Roy Keane amid reports of dressing-room disharmony to secure a well-deserved 3-1 victory at Charlton on Saturday.

Alan Smith’s first strike of the season and a second-half double from Ruud van Nistelrooy secured the points for United, who will now go into tomorrow’s Champions League clash with Villarreal in confident mood having built on their win over Premiership leaders Chelsea before the international break.

Ferguson’s men are up to third place, but still trail the Blues – who beat Newcastle 3-0 at Stamford Bridge – by 10 points, albeit with a game in hand.

“Let’s hope it starts us on a good run. If we maintain that same hunger and desire, we will be hard to beat,” said the United manager.

The Addicks, meanwhile, have now lost three Premiership matches in a row and have fallen back from second place towards mid-table.

“I would have loved to have taken something out of the game. We have to get some results here,” said manager Alan Curbishley, who watched his side get back on level terms through Darren Ambrose, only to then concede a quick goal themselves.

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard equalled David James’ long-standing record of 159 consecutive Premier League appearances against a Newcastle side lacking bite without injured England striker Michael Owen and captain Alan Shearer.

Lampard maintains he does not need a rest. “I do not like to miss games, but that depends on form and fitness,” the England midfielder said.

“Even going for the record, the manager was not going to pick me or not pick me on the strength of the record. He does it on what is good for the team.”

Arsenal finally recorded an away win as they beat Wigan 3-2 at the JJB Stadium to end the Latics’ six-match winning streak in the Premiership.

All the goals came in a remarkable first half, with Gunners captain Thierry Henry scoring twice and his side are now fourth, a point behind United.

Manager Arsene Wenger was impressed by Paul Jewell’s side, who remain second. “They are very intelligent as a unit and they are one of the favourites to play in the top six,” said the Arsenal boss.

Peter Crouch may have failed to get on the scoresheet again after missing a penalty during the 3-0 win over struggling Portsmouth at Anfield, but Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is more than happy with the contribution of the striker.

“He knows the supporters are with him, he will continue working and trying,” said the Reds boss. “If he continues playing like this then it is okay by me.”

Defiant Pompey manager Alain Perrin insisted “I have no thought of my own position – I am only concerned about how we play and preparing for the next game in the hope we can get points to get away from the bottom.”

Everton remain in deep trouble after they were thumped 4-0 at West Brom, with two goals for Nathan Ellington – his first in the Premiership.

The £3m (€4.4m) signing said: “The most important thing is that we are out of the bottom three and now we are looking to move on from there. It was a really good team performance.”

Everton striker Marcus Bent remained upbeat. He said: “We want to be in the top half of the table by the new year and I am sure we will be because we are a confident bunch.”

Things remain bleak at the Stadium of Light, where Sunderland old boy Kevin Phillips returned to haunt his former employers with the opening goal as Aston Villa won comfortably 3-1.

Phillips reflected on his low-key celebration: “Why would I go over the top at Sunderland? The club and the fans were brilliant for me and I wanted to show respect for that.”

Saturday’s other match ended in stalemate between Manchester City and Blackburn at Eastlands.

“They have come here and got what they deserved, probably what they were hoping for – a point,” said City boss Stuart Pearce.

Yesterday a stoppage-time header from Anton Ferdinand earned West Ham a 1-1 draw at Tottenham, while Middlesbrough came from behind to beat Fulham 3-2 at the Riverside, where visiting striker Collins John had netted a spectacular opener.