2 Jan 2011

Manchester United and City continue at top

5:45 pm on 2 January 2011

English Premier League football pacesetters Manchester United and Manchester City have ground out wins to stay clear at the top while Arsenal have remained in third place with a 3-0 victory at Birmingham City.

At the other end of the table West Ham United are out of the relegation zone after beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 at Upton Park, and Liverpool also won at home, gaining a much-needed 2-1 victory at Anfield over Bolton Wanderers.

United were well below their best but triumphed 2-1 at West Bromwich Albion with goals by Wayne Rooney - his first in open play since March - and Javier Hernandez, after the hosts missed a penalty.

It's just Manchester United's second away win this season and they remain undefeated.

Carlos Tevez also missed a spot kick but City got away with it as Adam Johnson's 34th-minute goal was enough to clinch a 1-0 home win over Blackpool.

United have 41 points from 19 games with City also on 41 from 21 matches.

Arsenal are third with 39 points from 20.

With Chelsea in action against Aston Villa overnight, Tottenham moved back to fourth on 36 points after a 1-0 victory over Fulham.

Sunderland have moved to sixth in the league with a 3-0 home win over Blackburn Rovers.

Stoke City also defeated Everton 2-0.