Manchester United FC's lead at the Premier League summit now stands at four points after the frontrunners could only muster a 1-1 draw at Swansea City AFC, on day when Chelsea FC handed Aston Villa FC an 8-0 defeat.

Looking to respond to Manchester City FC's win against Reading FC on Saturday, it was United who went ahead after 16 minutes when Patrice Evra met Robin van Persie's corner at the near post and headed in. Swansea levelled close to the half-hour, though, and for the 13th time in the Premier League this term, it was Michu who found the net. The Spanish midfielder finished from close range after David De Gea had parried a Jonathan De Guzmán effort into his path.

The visitors tightened up after the break and began to dominate, with Van Persie improvising a volley from a Wayne Rooney cross which bounced off the top of the crossbar. Michel Vorm then did excellently to divert a Michael Carrick header against the woodwork, but – unlike City against Reading – Sir Alex Ferguson's side could not conjure a late winner.

In Sunday's other match, Chelsea returned to third spot with a commanding triumph as seven players found the net against Aston Villa. Fernando Torres got the ball rolling after three minutes and efforts from David Luiz and Branislav Ivanović put the hosts three up at the break. Frank Lampard increased the advantage on 58 minutes and Ramires weighed in with a double to go with an Oscar penalty and an Eden Hazard strike.