Manchester United FC strengthened their bid to claim a 20th league title by moving level on points with leaders Manchester City FC, who were held 0-0 at West Bromwich Albion FC, following a 5-0 victory against Wigan Athletic FC.

United had dismantled Fulham FC 5-0 five days ago and Wigan suffered the same fate with the help of Dimitar Berbatov's hat-trick (41, 58, 78). Park Ji-Sung (8) had set the English champions on the way to a fifth league victory in December before Wigan's Conor Sammon was dismissed (40). Antonio Valencia (75) ensured United halved City's superior goal difference to five.

West Brom became the first Premier League side this season to prevent Roberto Mancini's charges from scoring by earning a goalless draw at The Hawthorns, in which both Mario Balotelli and Jerome Thomas struck the woodwork. Earlier, Chelsea FC missed the chance to go third after being held to their third consecutive 1-1 draw, Fulham's Clint Dempsey cancelling out Juan Mata's opening goal (47).

Elsewhere, Demba Ba scored his 14th league goal of the campaign as Newcastle United FC overcame Bolton Wanderers FC 2-0. The Magpies are now within a point of sixth-placed Liverpool FC, held 1-1 by Blackburn Rovers FC. Sunderland AFC and Everton FC also drew 1-1 while Stoke City FC-Aston Villa FC ended goalless.