LONDON, England (Reuters) – Manchester United finally put space between themselves and the chasing pack when a 2-1 home win over Stoke City took them three points clear at the top of the Premier League yesterday.
Javier Hernandez put United ahead with a clever flick after 27 minutes and, after Stoke had levelled in a rare attack five minutes into the second half, Nani secured the win with a well-taken curler just after the hour.
The victory took United to 44 points, three clear of Manchester City, who have played a game more. Arsenal, who host City in one of seven more Premier League games today, are third on 39 with Tottenham Hotspur fourth on 36 and Chelsea fifth on 35.
In the night’s two other games Fulham beat West Bromwich Albion 3-0 with goals by Simon Davies, Clint Dempsey and Brede Hangeland while a late goal by Scott Dann earned Birmingham City a 2-1 win at Blackpool.