Cristiano Ronaldo’s first hat-trick for Manchester United sent the champions back to the top of the Premier League in intimidating fashion after Arsenal were held to a surprise draw by struggling Birmingham.
United took advantage of that slip-up with a ruthless 6-0 demolition of managerless Newcastle at Old Trafford. Their biggest league win in eight years lifted Sir Alex Ferguson’s side above their biggest rivals on goal difference.
Chelsea also exploited Arsenal’s stumble, by beating Tottenham 2-0, but Liverpool’s hopes of getting back into the title battle appear all but over after a 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough left them 12 points adrift of the leaders.
United were simply irresistible after the break as they chalked up their biggest win since last season’s 7-1 win over Roma in the Champions League, a Carlos Tevez double and a rare goal from Rio Ferdinand complementing Ronaldo’s treble.
Arsenal meanwhile were distinctly lacklustre after having taken the lead against Birmingham through Emmanuel Adebayor’s first-half penalty.
Birmingham were rewarded for a battling display when Scotland striker Garry O’Connor headed an equaliser three minutes after the break. Juliano Belletti fired Avram Grant’s side ahead after 19 minutes and Shaun Wright-Phillips scored ten minutes from time. Anelka, signed earlier this week from Bolton, almost marked his debut with a goal, his shot on the turn in the closing minutes coming back off the under-side of the bar. Joleon Lescott scored the only goal in Everton’s win over Manchester City.
Liverpool moved up to fourth with their point at Middlesbrough. Boro had taken the lead midway through the first half, George Boateng firing home from close range after a knockdown from Turkey forward Tuncay Sanli.
Superb strike
A superb strike from Fernando Torres — his 17th goal of the season — got Liverpool back on level terms but, despite intense late pressure, they were unable to conjure up a winner.
Aston Villa maintained their push for a place in Europe next season with a comfortable 3-1 win over Reading which lifted Martin O’Neill’s side to sixth place.
A John Carew double either side of a Martin Laursen strike secured the points with James Harper scoring a consolation goal for Reading in stoppage time. At the bottom, Antoine Sibierski’s 82nd-minute strike was enough to earn Wigan a valuable 1-0 win over ten-man Derby.
