MANCHESTER UNITED 2 – 0 FULHAM
These are the kind of wins that make Manchester United a permanent fixture in the Premier League’s top two. The marquee clashes may get the most attention, but it’s winning these bread and butter fixtures (the games that appear to be gimmes, but that the big teams always slip up in at least once or twice a season) that wins you titles.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men did what they do with aplomb here, brushing aside a Fulham side who have had some solid results lately, not least a point away at Manchester City.
Dimitar Berbatov got the opener, taking his tally for the season to 21 after profiting from a dubious offside decision. Nani was heavily involved in the move, a reminder to the PFA’s members that they might have been to hasty to ignore his contribution this season.
Antonio Valencia’s close-range header after 32 minutes gave Fulham an ultimately unassailable task. The West Londoners did have half chances, but found it difficult to negotiate a typically resolute United rearguard.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3 – 2 STOKE CITY
Tuesday’s rude awakening at the Bernabeu seems to have served as a reminder to Spurs that they can still qualify for next season’s Champions League via a more plausible route than as winners. This win saw them jolted back into life, but not without more than a scare from Stoke.
A goal-ridden first half saw Peter Crouch go some way to atone for his Spanish nightmare with a brace. Luka Modric scored his second of the season with a terrific solo run, only for Matthew Etherington to peg one back for Stoke with an equally impressive effort.
Gareth Bale’s dalliance in midfield then allowed Kenwyne Jones to lash home from 20 yards.
In a contrasting second half, neither side could add to the score, although John Walters went closest, hitting the post from a yard out.
BLACKBURN ROVERS 1 – 1 BIRMINGHAM CITY
Two of the umpteen sides in a relegation battle did themselves few favours with this draw at Ewood Park.
But Alex McLeish will be the happier of the two Scottish bosses as his side put any notion of a post-Carling Cup slump to bed with their third game unbeaten since winning that competition.
Lee Bowyer gave Birmingham the lead just after the half hour before Junior Hoilett equalised deep into first half stoppage time.
Both sides now si three points above the drop zone.
CHELSEA 1 – 0 WIGAN
A lack of goals was on Carlo Ancelotti’s mind after this bulldozing – but blunt – Chelsea win.
Florent Malouda’s strike nicked it for the Londoners, but it was Fernando Torres’ 30 minute cameo that caught the attention after he again finished goalless despite a host of chances.
BOLTON WANDERERS 3 – 0 WEST HAM
Carlo Ancelotti has no need to worry about Fernando Torres’ limp form continuing into next season – Daniel Sturridge is on fire.
The Bolton loanee continued his clinical performances this weekend with a pair of top class finishes. Chung-yong Lee’s header from a sharp Trotters move split Sturridge’s goals.
The volume on those alarm bells has just been tweaked for West Ham – conceding seven in two games after an encouraging run will not be doing their confidence any good.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 0 – 3 EVERTON
A shock result here – in as much as a side in the relegation places getting beaten can be a shock.
Despite their lowly position, Wolves have been a formidable prospect at home this season, but Everton paid no heed to that record by putting themselves 3-0 up before half-time.
Jermaine Beckford’s near post header, Phil Neville’s collector’s item and Diniyar Bilyaletdinov’s exocet put the Toffees out of sight. Wolves came back, but a stellar Everton defence kept them at bay.
SUNDERLAND 2 – 3 WEST BROM
Roy Hodgson moved his West Brom side to within six points of former employers Liverpool with this impressive win at the Stadium of Light.
Crisp passing football was the order of the day, and the Midlands club benefited through goals from Peter Odemwingie, Youssouf Mulumbu and Paul Scharner.
Sunderland had taken the lead twice through a Jamie Shorey own goal and a David Bardsley thunderbolt, but their slump continues as Steve Bruce gropes hopelessly for reverse.
Sunday
BLACKPOOL 1- 3 ARSENAL
Arsenal kept themselves within touching distance of Manchester United with this win against Blackpool.
The biggest news of the day was Jens Lehmann’s appearance in goal after Manuel Almunia was injured warming up.
Abou Diaby and Emmanuel Eboue put the Gunners in control before Blackpool put on some pressure of their own. Gary Taylor-Fletcher did score, only for Robin van Persie to seal the deal with a 76th minute strike.
ASTON VILLA 1 – 0 NEWCASTLE UNITED
Gerard Houllier went to bed with a smile on his face for once as his Villa side took a big step towards avoiding relegation.
James Collins’ header from an Ashley Young free-kick was enough to take the three points and move them five points clear of West Ham in 18th.