Manchester United FC remain 15 points clear atop the Premier League following their 1-0 triumph at Sunderland AFC and Manchester City FC's 4-0 home win against Newcastle United FC.

Titus Bramble's first-half own goal, deflecting Robin van Persie's shot, settled the match at the Stadium of Light, handing United a seventh straight league win and sinking the Black Cats further into the mire at the lower end of the table. Sunderland are now 16th, without a win in eight and one point above the relegation zone.

Sunderland's rivals Newcastle, a place above them, have fared little better of late and slipped to their third defeat in four matches at City. Carlos Tévez and David Silva struck late in the first half and Vincent Kompany and James Perch both deflected shots beyond Newcastle keeper Rob Elliot in the second half.

Gareth Bale scored his 17th of the season as Tottenham Hotspur FC won 2-1 at Swansea City AFC lifting them into third, leapfrogging Chelsea FC who lost 2-1 at Southampton FC. Arsenal are now within two points of Chelsea beating Reading FC 4-1 while Wigan Athletic FC boosted their survival prospects with a 1-0 defeat of Norwich City FC.