H-T: Manchester United 2-0 Bolton

Antonio Valencia scored his first goal for Manchester United as the defending champions looked like going back to the top of the Premier League.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men were already ahead against Bolton at Old Trafford after Zat Knight got in a complete muddle trying to clear a fifth-minute Michael Owen header and succeeded only in turning the ball into his own net.

But Valencia gave the hosts a bit more comfort just after the half-hour when he blasted home a close range shot to break his duck following a £17million summer move from Wigan.

Chelsea's defeat at Aston Villa meant a place at the Premier League summit would be the prize for a United victory.

Michael Owen partnered Dimitar Berbatov up front in the absence of the injured Wayne Rooney.

United forged ahead with a scrappy early goal as Patrice Evra raced on to Michael Carrick's flick and he found Owen at the near post.

The former Liverpool striker's instinctive header was not on target but it got Zat Knight into a tangle and the defender succeeded only in steering the ball into his own net.

United came agonisingly close to a second on their next attack when the Bolton defence failed miserably to cope with a short corner routine that ended with Berbatov nudging Gary Neville's pass to Giggs.

The veteran Welshman chipped a cross to the far post where Jonny Evans' firm header was too close to Jussi Jaaskelainen, who was able to block and allow Jlloyd Samuel to smash clear.

Berbatov's acrobatic volley bounced wide off Owen after Antonio Valencia had provided the cross, while at the other end Kevin Davies nodded a Sam Ricketts cross wide when he should have done much better.

Carrick's flick bounced wide after Giggs had picked the England man out on the edge of the area.

Jaaskelainen stood firm to beat away Valencia's fierce 25-yard drive, before Bolton relieved the pressure once more, only for Davies to pick the wrong option when the visitors got near the danger zone.

Anderson nudged Samuel over 20 yards out. Matt Taylor tried to deceive Van der Sar by going for goal instead of crossing but the veteran Dutchman read his intentions.

United had lost their early initiative though and when Davies chested a long ball into Taylor's path, the midfielder's volley was not far off target.

Another Taylor effort flashed narrowly wide after Tamir Cohen had embarked on a mazy run, although it proved to be Bolton's last chance before they went two down.

Owen found Valencia with a square ball to set the Ecuador star running at the Trotters defence. He spotted Neville on the overlap, then waited for a return pass, which was delivered with perfect pace, allowing the South American to knock a first touch forward before belting it past Jaaskelainen.

After a number of wasted chances, it was Valencia's first goal since his £17million summer move from Wigan.

Manchester United v Bolton: follow the second half LIVE