The champions consolidated second place in the Barclays Premier League as they rounded off 2009 in fine style. Wayne Rooney fired the home side in front with his 15th goal of the season on 28 minutes and Michael Carrick rounded off a good move to double the lead three minutes later. Rafael da Silva drilled the third on the stroke of half-time and Dimitar Berbatov stabbed the fourth five minutes after the break. Antonio Valencia rounded off the scoring against his old club netting the fifth with 15 minutes left on the clock.