United move three points clear at the top
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
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Manchester United FC beat Stoke City FC 2-1 to go three points clear at the summit ahead of Wednesday's meeting between second and third-placed Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC.
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Manchester United FC are three points clear of Manchester City FC at the Premier League summit after a 2-1 victory against Stoke City FC.
With City and Arsenal FC – two points further adrift in third – meeting on Wednesday, United were in a fine position to establish a cushion. They took 27 minutes to unlock Stoke's defence, a crisp passing move ending with Javier Hernández executing a sublime back-heel from Nani's low cross. It was the Mexico striker's second goal in successive games, having struck the winner against West Bromwich Albion FC on Saturday.
Stoke bounced back, though, and drew level within five minutes of half-time when Dean Whitehead met Tuncay Şanlı's cross with a well-placed downward header. The result was decided just after the hour, Nani turning scorer with a delightful effort from the edge of the penalty area.
Fulham FC and Birmingham City FC, meanwhile, both moved out of the bottom three with significant victories at the other end of the table. Fulham were comfortable 3-0 winners against West Brom, who have now lost five league games in a row, while Scott Dann's 89th-minute goal ensured Birmingham beat Blackpool FC 2-1.
