United see off Chelsea to boost title chances

Goals from Nemanja Vidić, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov gave Manchester United FC a 3-0 victory against Chelsea FC at Old Trafford and handed the reigning English Premier League champions the initiative in the title race.

Headed winner
Moments after Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal disallowed when referee Howard Webb ruled United had taken a corner too early, Ryan Giggs's second set-piece was flicked on by Dimitar Berbatov and Vidić was in place at the far post to head the ball in on the stroke of half-time. United had not conceded a league goal since their 8 November loss at Arsenal FC and the game was out of Chelsea's reach with 27 minutes left when Ronaldo back-heeled for Patrice Evra to send in a cross from the left turned in by Rooney. Berbatov claimed the third by volleying in a late Ronaldo free-kick.

Title race
The victory moves United back ahead of Saturday winners Aston Villa FC and Arsenal FC into third, a point behind Chelsea – who were previously unbeaten away from home in the league – and five adrift of leaders Liverpool FC, held 0-0 at lowly Stoke City FC yesterday. Crucially, though, United have two games in hand, the first at home to Wigan Athletic FC on Wednesday.

Stoke success
Wigan will go into that game in good heart after a dramatic 1-0 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur FC. Stoke's Saturday point sent Tottenham back into the bottom three and they remain there after today's loss. Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes developed a leg injury during the game and was finally beaten in added time when Maynor Figueroa headed in Ryan Taylor's corner.