Yak takes the United gifts at Fergie’s 70th

Blackburn ROVERS left it until the last day of 2011 to secure one of the surprise results of the year as they won 3-2 at Manchester United.

Barely anyone gave Rovers and their much-maligned manager Steve Kean a chance, especially with the home side playing for the chance to top the table on boss Sir Alex Ferguson’s 70th birthday. But it did not pan out as was expected, with Ayegbeni Yakubu’s brace – one from the spot – putting Blackburn 2-0 up. And, even though Dimitar Berbatov responded with a double of his own, Scotland defender Grant Hanley won it with ten minutes left after hesitancy from David De Gea to ensure Rovers go into today’s clash with Stoke boosted by a momentous win.

Kean said: “To come to a place like this and get a result is up there with our best wins.”

A shocked Ferguson said: “It is a disaster. I never expected it. We lost two terrible goals.”

There was another shock in London as Chelsea were beaten 3-1 at home to Aston Villa.

A 150th Chelsea goal for Didier Drogba was not enough as Stephen Ireland, Stiliyan Petrov and then Darren Bent completed a remarkable turnaround.