Everton win moves United five points clear

Manchester United FC tightened their grip on top spot in the Premier League with Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty earning his side a 1-0 win against Everton FC on a day when goals were hard to come by for England's top sides.

Penalty spot
Ronaldo struck from the spot just before half-time after Mikel Arteta was penalised for a foul on Michael Carrick in the day's late game. The result ratchets up the ante on third-placed Liverpool FC and second-placed Chelsea FC, who meet at Anfield on Sunday needing a win to keep in touch with the champions. Neither fourth placed Aston Villa FC or fifth placed Arsenal FC could score on Saturday, with their games, against Wigan Athletic FC and West Ham United FC respectively, ending in goalless draws.

Troubled sides
A third scoreless tie - at the other end of the table - did neither Middlesbrough FC nor Blackburn Rovers FC many favours, with Stoke City FC's shock 1-0 win against Manchester City FC in the day's early game, and Tottenham Hotspur FC's 3-2 loss at Bolton Wanderers FC, magnifying both sides' relegation concerns. Hull City AFC were held to a 2-2 draw by bottom side West Bromwich Albion FC, while two Erik Nevland goals helped Fulham FC beat waning Portsmouth FC 3-1.