A stunning strike from Rafael and a late Ryan Giggs effort earned Manchester United FC a 2-0 win at Queens Park Rangers FC.

Both second-placed Manchester City FC and fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur FC had previously been held to goalless stalemates at Loftus Road, but the Red Devils' visit proved more fruitful, thanks in no small part to a wonderful first-half effort by Rafael.

The Brazilian, who would later clear off the line, flashed a half-volley into the top corner from range to give the visitors a vital lead. A Giggs cameo added late excitement, as the Welshman doubled the advantage with a cool finish from a Nani pass before striking the QPR crossbar.

That puts United 15 points clear of City, who host Chelsea FC in their game in hand on Sunday. That top scorer Robin van Persie was substituted with an injury will be of concern to the leaders, however.

Elsewhere, Santi Cazorla struck early and late as Arsenal FC struggled past an Aston Villa FC who had levelled through Andreas Weimann's second-half strike. 

Romelu Lukaku fired two as West Bromwich Albion FC won 2-1 at home against Sunderland AFC, a feat that Arouna Koné matched in Wigan Athletic FC's 3-0 defeat of ten-man Reading FC.

Two goals in the last six minutes earned Norwich City FC a 2-1 comeback win against Everton FC, while Fulham FC edged past Stoke City FC 1-0.