United stay six points ahead of Manchester City

There is no change at the top of the Premier League after leaders Manchester United FC beat Sunderland AFC 3-1 and Manchester City FC overcame Newcastle United FC by the same scoreline.

Picking up from where he left off last weekend, in-form Robin van Persie dealt Sunderland an early blow. Tom Cleverley proved similarly clinical minutes later after a neat one-two with Michael Carrick, and Van Persie turned provider for Wayne Rooney to put the contest to bed just before the hour. Frazier Campbell nodded in a consolation.

Sergio Agüero scored a simple early opener for Roberto Mancini's charges at St James' Park, a lead doubled before the break by Javi García's header. Newcastle pulled one back shortly after the restart when Demba Ba nodded in his 11th goal of the season, but Yaya Touré scrambled in a third to put the game beyond the Magpies, for whom it was a sixth reverse in seven matches.

Elsewhere, Adel Taarabt scored two as Queens Park Rangers FC defeated west London rivals Fulham FC 2-1 for their first win of the season, while a Christian Benteke double helped Aston Villa FC to a 3-1 triumph at Liverpool FC. Stoke City FC drew 1-1 with Everton FC and Norwich City FC won 2-1 against Wigan Athletic FC.